September kentucky visit

[Soupy1957]

The wife and I are going to Kentucky in September, after a family wedding in Ohio.

When we go to Kentucky, the plan is to go to the "Woodsongs" show in the "Kentucky Theatre" in Lexington, and then we'd like to see the Bluegrass Museum and go to Bill Monroe's old homestead that has been rebuilt.

Anything else related to "Bluegrass" that we shouldn't miss, when in Kentucky? Our travel dates are Sept.13th - 26th.

-Soupy1957

[DryBones]

extend your stay for the Jerusalem Ridge Festival 27th to 30th. Afterall you are right there! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[glenmorebuckman]

You have to see the Monroe family graves while in Rosine.As it says in the song, " On Mothers, Gone but not forgotten, On Dads, We'll meet again someday". And don't forget Uncle Pen's grave.

[Jim MacDaniel]

It's not neccessarilly BG-related, but a tour of a Bourbon distillery is a must if you find yourself near Bourbon County.

[DryBones]

Jim, great idea!

[Leevon DeCourley]

I second the idea for the Jerusalem Ridge festival. My mom is one of the three MC's so i will get to be there all weekend. I have been looking foreward to it since i didn't get to go last year. I'm sure you would enjoy it if you stayed.

[Soupy1957]

If I COULD "extend my stay" that would be a WONDERFUL idea ("Jerusalem Ridge Festival") but unfortunately we can't.

I appreciate the bourbon Distillery lead...

any others?

We'll be going down to Tennessee as well, and I think the Gibson plant is there somewhere, yes?

I've been to the "Mall" and seen the satelite Gibson shop that is in there.

Interesting story about that place:

The last time the wife and I visited the Mall where the new "Grand Ole Opry" program is done, we were watching the taping of a "Nashville Network" show one day, whilst standing next to a glass display area with Gibson Instruments in it.

A fella walked over, who saw me eyeing a Blonde Concert size guitar, (I wonder if it was Charlie Derrington to this day, as this was about 4 years ago, and I heard that Charlie had a lot to do with this satelite location for Gibson, but I didn't know who Charlie was, at the time, so I can't say), and asked me if I'd like to play it.

I had some time, so I said "sure," and I took off all my rings, watch, etc..and sat and played it for about 20 minutes, working through all my favorite riffs.

The fella who handed it to me asked if I liked it, and I did, and said so. He stated that it was currently on "sale" for $29,900.00 and I promptly and carefully made sure I handed it back to him.

That's about the way I'd feel if I bought a Gibson Mandolin for that kind of money. I'd never want to "play" the thing, and that's enough reason never to spend that much.

It's not the investment, for me, ....it's the playing.

-Soupy1957

[kyblue]

a tour of a Bourbon distillery is a must

I highly recommend Woodford Reserve in Woodford County, if you're going to Woodsongs you'll be very close. But, it is closed on Mondays. It's located off Hwy 60 among some beautiful horse farms, just a few miles from Keeneland race track (another of my favorites.)

Woodford Reserve Distillery (http://www.woodfordreserve.com/Default.aspx)

Shakertown in Harrodsburg is beautiful as well. Again, very close to Lexington.

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (http://www.shakervillageky.org/)

I live in Lexington, you can pm me if you have more questions.

Paula

[kymandolin59]

take a trip to owensboro to the bluegrass museum.only 20 miles from rosine.

[Soupy1957]

KYBlue: I know you will doubt this perhaps, but the wife and I have been to Kentucky before, and more specifically, to that very "Shaker Village." So thanks for the heads up about it. It WAS an interesting place to see.

Also "thanks" for the lead on the Distillery.

Kymandolin59: Yep..our plan includes the Museum, and Bills' place, as I indicated in my origional posting.

-Soupy1957

[Pen]

A tour of the horse farms in Lexington would be incredible. Talk to any of the bellstands/concierge's at the major hotels in Lexington (ask for Tom at the Marriott's Griffon Gate Resort). They can give you a name of a private tour guide who will tailor the day to what you are interested in. They will get you into the barns and see some of the most expensive and well known horses in the world.

The KY Horse Park is fun as well.

If in Nashville - hit the Country Music Hall of Fame.

[Big Joe]

The Gibson location in the Mall near the Grand Ole Opry is not a "sattelite", it is the factory where all the Bluegrass instruments are made. You will be very surprised to see the store now also. It is much larger. The Gibson repair department is also there. It is MUCH different from when you were there before. Yoy may well get to pick one with Danny Roberts or Dave Harvey or Jackie Miller or Tony. Of course, CD and Jake are incredible pickers also and they work in the store.

I have no involvement with Gibson anymore so have no personal interest in what occurs, but it is still a cool thing to do when near Nashville.

[cooper4205]

I have no involvement with Gibson anymore so have no personal interest in what occurs, but it is still a cool thing to do when near Nashville.
Its easy to waste a whole day in there, you can turn the wife loose in Opry Mills and then pick till you can't stand it anymore.

Soupy-

You only stopping in Middle Tenn?

[Col. Suggs]

While in Owensboro, be sure to eat at the famous Moonlight.

Mike, who works at the Bluegrass Museum, is a mighty fine picker and a wonderful tour guide if you take a guided tour.

Sean

[Leevon DeCourley]

I used to have a friend working at the museum but he isn't there anymore. Also if your in Rosine there is pickin every friday night there in town at the barn. It is right next to the little general store and you get to meet a lot of good pickers.

[Big Joe]

Another good picker at the Museum is Tramp. He used to play with Bonepony until he got the job with the museum. Cool guy with a cool name http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif .

[Col. Suggs]

Agreed, Big Joe. I should have been more specific---I meant Mike Lawing, a.k.a. Tramp. Last I knew, he also had a radio show in Owensboro.

[fstylemb1]

If you go through Louisville,
stop by First Quality Music. I'd be glad to show you around the shop. www.fqms.com
Also check out the Bluegrass Anonymous website for bluegrass shows in the region. Feel free to contact me! You'll have a wonderful time in Kentucky!

[greensleeves]

If you are heading from Lexington towards O'boro and its on a Monday, my Mandolin teacher hosts a jam session in vine grove (around Elizabethtown). On Saturday night in Hodgenville (South of Elizabethtown) you can go to the Lincoln Jamboree. It's a small town version of the opry that has been running for 53 years. Some pretty decent pickers come through from time to time. It is also less than a mile from the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln.

Also little further down I-65 as head towards Nashville (if that is the way you go) you can hit Mammoth Cave, the world's longest cave system. YOu can also stop in Bowling Green and see the only place in the world where they make the corvette.

I'll keep my ears open for anything bluegrass related

[Steve Perry]

Yo Greensleeves!... Who's your mando teacher? I'm at the Vine Grove jam every Monday. Have you been up there yet?

Steve Perry

[AlanN]

And if you visit Monroe's resting place, be sure to leave a pick.

[Soupy1957]

Lots of great stuff to consider, and most of you have received a response by e-mail through the Café from me.
"Thanks" everyone!!
-Soupy1957

[greensleeves]

Yo Greensleeves!... #Who's your mando teacher? #I'm at the Vine Grove jam every Monday. #Have you been up there yet?

Steve Perry
Terry Strange - I'm sure you know him then if you are there. I've am new to the mandolin, just started taking lessons from him back in January. I've not been up there, it seems like something is always coming up on a Monday.

[Steve Perry]

greensleeves sez...

# "Terry Strange - I'm sure you know him then if you are there."

Yep, I know him. #He's a fine fella. #I play mando in his BG group. #Tell him I said Hey. #Come on up to Vine Grove when you get a chance. #There's lots of good picking on every level there.

Steve Perry

[woodwizard]

Someone said if you drop by the Gibson Bluegrass Showcase just let the wife and kids take off for the Opry Mills Mall and hang out at the showcase. That's exactly what I did when we were there. It was absolutely wonderful. I was in there for almost 4 hours and when my wife & kids showed up later it felt like they had just left. I could have stayed much longer. What a great place!

[greensleeves]

greensleeves sez...

# "Terry Strange - I'm sure you know him then if you are there."

Yep, I know him. #He's a fine fella. #I play mando in his BG group. #Tell him I said Hey. #Come on up to Vine Grove when you get a chance. #There's lots of good picking on every level there.

Steve Perry
Do you know anybody in the band he used to play banjo for - the Reynolds Family? Sue and Gordon Poteet (he plays guitar and she plays bass fiddle and I think her brother Wayne Reynolds has been to the jam session, she is the song leader and he is the guitarist at the church I pastor.