Nashville, the Bakersfield Sound and musical magic

Updated on Saturday, June 7, 2014 at 8:32 AM by Logan Molen

If you’ve ever had a hankering to visit Nashville, now is the time. And if you’re a lover of The Bakersfield Sound, you have a once-in-a-lifetime window to see something magical. 

I recently parachuted into Nashville for 2.5 days, using frequent-flier miles to control the costs on one of my periodic music vacations. Of prime importance for this trip was to see the fabulous Bakersfield Sound exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame, whose extended run will end this Dec. 31.

For decades, Nashville sniffed at the raw music coming out of Bakersfield but these days, but these days The Bakersfield Sound is riding high thanks to the open minds at the Country Music Hall of Fame. The show’s formal title is “The Bakersfield Sound: Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and California Country” and it is a tour de force for music fans. For decades, Nashville sniffed at the raw music coming out of Bakersfield but these days, but these days  The Bakersfield Sound is riding high thanks to the open minds at the Country Music Hall of Fame. 

I’ve posted dozens of photos and notes in a separate photo gallery but here are a few tips on places of interest for  music lovers. My visit was relatively quick so the recommendations below are by no means thorough for hardcore visitors who want a well-rounded view of what is a great American city: 

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