Category: Books

Nashville, TN: Getting Ready & Getting There

Books – There are so many to prepare you for your experience in this city, but here are a few sure get your curiosity piqued:

    • Hidden History of Nashville by George R. Zepp – Perched on the banks of the Cumberland River, Nashville is best known for its role in the civil rights movement, world-class education and, of course, country music. In this unique collection of columns, longtime journalist and Tennessee native George Zepp illuminates a less familiar side of the city. Learn the secrets of Timothy Demonbreun, one of the city’s first residents, who lived with his family in a cliff-top cave; Cortelia Clark, the blind bluesman who continued to perform on street corners after winning a Grammy award; and Nashville’s own Cinderella story, which involved legendary radio personality Edgar Bergen and his ventriloquist protegee. Cleverly rendered, using questions from readers across the nation, these little-known tales abound with Music City mystery and charm.
    • Murder & Mayhem in Nashville by Brian Allison – Nashville is known for its bold, progressive flair, but few are aware of the city s malevolent past. A rowdy red-light district called Smoky Row spawned several fatal episodes. A murderous temptress with a penchant for poison once strolled the city streets. Legends range from Andrew Jackson s bar fight with Senator Thomas Hart Benton to the macabre 1938 Marrowbone Creek cabin murders. In 1938, a state penitentiary fugitive escape triggered a tragic gunfight. Author Brian Allison illustrates the darker shades of Nashville s colorful past.

Getting There – Almost all major airlines fly to Nashville, but the ones with the most flights are American, Delta, Southwest and United.

Memphis, TN: Getting Ready & Getting There

Books – There are so many to expand your experience in this city, but here are my favorites:

    • Hellhound on his Trail by Hampton Sides is the book that first stirred my interest in Memphis. It’s the story of the stalking of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the international hunt for his assassin, James Earl Ray.
    • Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock ‘n’ Roll by Peter Guralnick is an ardent, unrestrained portrait of an American original, the driving force behind Sun Studios, with extensive interviews and firsthand personal observations extending over a 25-year period.
    • Last Train to Memphis by Peter Guralnick is the first biography to go past that myth and present an Elvis beyond the legend. Based on hundreds of interviews and nearly a decade of research, it traces the evolution not just of the man but of the music and of the culture he left utterly transformed, creating a completely fresh portrait of Elvis and his world.
    • Dewey & Elvis by Louis Cantor caught my eye after researching the history behind the musical, Memphis, which is loosely based upon Dewey Phillips, one of the original DJs in Memphis who first played “race” music on a white radio station, and “outed” Elvis as white when he asked him which high school he went to.

Getting There – Not all airlines fly to Memphis, but the ones with the most flights are American, Delta, Southwest and United. I’ve also taken Amtrak into Memphis, which was a treat!

Click here for my own personal stories about Memphis!

Las Vegas, NV: Getting Ready & Getting There

Books – Every time I turn around, I find ANOTHER great book about the city’s history and what’s still around:

Getting There – Drive, take a bus or fly.

    • Drive: It’s not far from Los Angeles. Just know that if you come back on Sunday, you WILL hit traffic.
    • Bus: Now a very hip and cool way to travel with free Wi-Fi, streamed entertainment, in-seat power outlets, comfortable seats, restrooms:
    • Fly: Either JSX or Southwest seem to be the most frequent and reasonably priced. I’m particular to JSX as you fly to and from a private hanger at the various airports and avoid the hassle of TSA.

New Orleans, LA: Getting Ready & Getting There

Books – Why New Orleans Matters by Tom Piazza (contributed to HBO series, “Treme”), is the first book I’ve read that reaches into both my heart and soul to express how I feel about this amazing city.

Getting There – Drive, train or fly.

    • Train: I’ve done Amtrak’s Jazz Blues & Rock-n-Roll Amtrak Journey, which was one of my most favorite experiences in my entire life!.
    • Fly: My favorite is Southwest, as long as you don’t mind a stop or two along the way. No luggage fees (1-2 checked bags and carry-on).