Tuesday, July 14, 2009
National Skyline Nashville: More Than You-Know-What
Posted by Steve Haruch on Tue, Jul 14, 2009 at 8:16 AM
From the Washington Post comes another one of those stories that begins, "It's no secret that Nashville is a hitmaker's hotbed, with commercial country music standing tall as one of the record industry's last viable outlets," and continues, "but...there's another flourishing scene in Music City that shouldn't be overlooked." In this case, the writer is talking about bluegrass. The story touches on the familiar (to any Nashvillian) hallmarks: Monroe and Scruggs, The Ryman, The Station Inn (whose BBQ lunch is pretty badass, by the way), and on through to Cherryholmes and Cumberland Caverns.
Now, I don't have any problem with the whole "Nashville-is-known-for-country-music-but-there's-other-stuff" angle (even if it gets a little old sometimes), but I really hope someday, someone runs a story that starts, "Nashville might be known as the home of country music," and continues, "but there's another music scene in Music City, too: Western." It'd be the "both kinds of music" joke, but with John England. Get it?
Seriously, though, how could a reporter do a story on bluegrass in Nashville and not mention the banjo-pickin' sushi chef of East Nashville, Hide Watanabe? Tourists, man. Tourists.
Comments (11)
Showing 1-11 of 11
"Seriously, though, how could a reporter do a story on bluegrass in Nashville and not mention the banjo-pickin' sushi chef of East Nashville, Hide Watanabe? "
Cuz he is one of like 20,000 banjo players, no better, no worse.
This place is known for country and bluegrass because that is practically all there is.
When was the last time you went to a flea market, farmers market, street fair, hot chicken festival, or even a jazz concert and heard *anything* but a fuckin banjo, fiddle and geetar playing away?
I keep saying it over and over - Get Chris Davis back on the job! We need more avantgarde.
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Yeah we need more what's their name... Rascal Flats?
Roots music is alive and well in Music City and should be. Without it, there would be no Kinny Chisney.
Seriously, Steve, you Cream cats have it bad for the Station Inn's BBQ lunch, don't ya?
@Sean Is the cole slaw more vinegary or mayonnaisey?
@b.cause Statistical analysis (and The Lovin Spoonful) shows that there are 1,352 guitar players in Nashville, so I find it hard to believe there are 20,000 banjo pickers.
@JR The slaw is vinegary and jalapeno-y, as well as ass-kicky.
Watanabe is one of one banjo-playing sushi chefs in Nashville.
@JR vinegary (apple cider vinegar, me thinks) WITH loads of purple cabbage, so it's got a nice zing and it looks really pretty too!
@JR: It's definitely good. But I prefer the beans, and the mac salad is good as well.
@Ashley: He is a very handsome gentleman. His girlfriend is one of the sushi chefs at his restaurant, and they're totally one of those absurdly beautiful couples.
When it comes to slaw, I try to stick exclusively to absurdly vinegary, what old folks would call "smack your momma." But I'm sold, one of these days I will travel across J. Percy and have a Station Inn luncheon.
If you Cream cats want to reciprocate and enjoy Wilson County BBQ, I recommend Stroud's ($2 sandwiches on Wednesday and excellent BBQ nachos).
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