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DEL.ICIO.USBoogie your way through the South
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I travel to the beat of a different drum - literally. A trip on a plane, train or automobile isn’t quite the same without some sort of musical accompaniment, and I can be very picky when I select the music that will become my traveling soundtrack. I firmly believe you have to take care to match the music with the trip. Otherwise you will regret that your tour of the Tyrolean Alps is forever linked with Journey’s “Open Arms”. (Just trust me on this one.)
It’s always easy for me to put together a soundtrack for my travels round the South, however. I just let the destination do the work for me. The South is home to many complex and different types of music that have shaped the lives of the people here. Our landscapes and cityscapes drip with musical mystique, so why not explore the settings that inspired the music on your next road trip?
You don’t have to be a fan. Just sit back, relax and take it all in…
Bring your accordion to LaFayette, La., where Cajun music and Zydeco reign supreme. Head to Vermilionville heritage and folk life park to hear a sample of both types of music.
Check out New Orleans’ many jazz clubs, or stop by Louis Armstrong Park, site of the New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park, where musicians gather to play traditional jazz. If you feel like kicking up your heels, put on your dancing shoes and head out for some Cajun dancing.
Take a tour through Mississippi’s Blues country, with stops in Greenwood (resting place for bluesman Robert Johnson) and Clarksdale (Delta Blues Museum). Don’t forget to stop at the crossroads of highways 61 and 49, where Robert Johnson was said to have sold his soul to become a great performer. Mississippi is also where you’ll find Elvis Presley’s birthplace, museum and chapel in Tupelo.
Just north of the Mississippi line in Memphis, you’ll find many places to whet your whistle for the Blues (Beale Street), early Rock-n-roll (Sun Studio) and of course, The King (Elvis’ Graceland).
Rockabilly fans will enjoy the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in Jackson, Tenn. between Memphis and Nashville.
Country music fans can boot-scootin’ boogie to Nashville to soak up the sights and sounds of the Grand Ole Opry, the Wildhorse Saloon and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Or take in some good ol’ Bluegrass music in Kentucky and mountain music in the northeastern parts of Tennessee.
Or put on some light-hearted, good-time music and drive to South Carolina’s coastal towns like Myrtle Beach to see and hear where beach music and Shag dancing became popular.
Have you ever let the music be your travel guide? Would you consider any of these treks for upcoming travels? Do you prefer to check out the museums at these kinds of places or would you rather spend your time experiencing live music in the cities you visit? What are your favorite music clubs in these cities? Do you know of other music hot spots in the South?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Southeast travel
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By lynn14
July 2, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
Thank you for this information.
By ispeakthedrewth
July 2, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
another lame blog topic
By VagabondFrank
July 2, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
I think this topic is awesome! Music is a huge part of experiencing the culture of the places we travel to. Listening to fitting music when when visit places can make the experience that much better!
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