Leadership Conference 2011, Day 3

Saturday was our short day for sessions.  After having our breakfast, we again met in the Presidential Ballroom for a few announcements.  It was then followed by three Leader Spotlights. These were presented by our very own consultants that have been in this business for more than 8 years each.  They all have very large teams and two of them have advanced into the highest level of leadership that they can.  So all of them were fun to listen to.  We heard how they have consistently dreamt, believed and worked their business to get it where it is today.  All of them have earned many trips with Jill (CEO and founder) and many of the HQ team. 

We also learned of some new tools that we as consultants will be able to use with our web sites and parties to make everything a little more efficient.  It's getting better and better all the time! 

We finished up at 1:00 PM for the day.  The rest of the day belonged to us to allow us to get out and see some Nashville sights.  Teri (my sponsor) and I headed back to our room; she for a nap and I to get on my lap top.  Then at 4:00 PM we took a bus down town.  That's where we would be able to sight-see.  Many of the places I was hoping to see, such as the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame, were closed already but we made due.  I'll have to make another trip to see the ones I missed!

The bus dropped us off at one of two locations.  We could either be dropped off at the Ryman Auditorium or at the Wildhorse Saloon.  We chose the Wildhorse.  It was closer to the shopping area we wanted to get to.  Broadway was very nearby and it was already busy with tourists and regulars alike that had ventured out for the night.  The temperature wasn't bad, lingering in the upper 40's. 

Walking into the shops that had once been under water from the floods last spring, made me wonder how long it must have taken to get their businesses back into shape.  Everything (in my eyes) appeared as if nothing had happened!  The wood floors looked just as rustic as they must have been the day they were put down.  I don't know...but everything looked awesome!  It was fun to see all the little knick knacks, coffee mugs, key chains, hats and t-shirts that one could purchase as a souvenir of Music City.  I chose a couple of shirts, a coffee mug for myself and my friend that had been taking care of my cats. We were starving and had thought some good BBQ would be our first choice of food.  We saw one restaurant with a line out the door and down the sidewalk.  Alrighty then, no thanks.  So we kept walking and shopping.  We saw lots of people taking advantage of a carriage ride.  It looked like fun but we didn't do it.  I did get a picture of one of them. 

One of several horse-drawn carriages that we saw traveling around.  This is Tom and his horse Bill.

As we walked around and saw so many places to eat, we finally came upon one without a line!  So we stepped in to see if we could be seated right away.  It would be about 45 minutes....and there was no line!  Really?  Okay, we'll wait.  We were starving!  A mere 20 minutes later, we were seated.  (I thought so...the girl at the door was being a little bit snobby...)  We were in Rippy's Ribs and BBQ.  It was quaint with live music and many TV sets going all over.  People of all ages were enjoying the food and atmosphere.  We were even asked to take pictures of a group of about 10 people that had been waiting to go to a hockey game featuring the local Nashville team, The Nashville Predators.  There were many people wearing jerseys in support of the team. 


Rippy's Ribs and BBQ....we ate here.  Not bad for a little old hole-in-the-wall joint.

From there, as we meandered in and out of various shops, we found a dueling piano bar, The Big Bang Bar.  There was hardly anyone there but it was early.  We sat for awhile and before we knew it, it was packed!  People were having bachelorette parties and birthday celebrations.  So we stayed.  However, I wasn't overly impressed by the young piano players.  The older songs just weren't familiar to them.  But the ones they knew, they did perform well.  

The piano players at The Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar.  They were young guys so they had a hard time with some of the older songs that had been requested.  I've honestly heard better right here in Omaha. 

Walking down the street I spotted the Ernest Tubb Record Shop.  My own Dad loves to listen to his records and also play Ernest Tubb music on his accordion.  I knew he would appreciate this photo.  In the background is the infamous Batman Building.  We didn't go inside but now I wish we had.  The pictures from the link of the web site make it look pretty neat.  Shoot.....oh well.


On Broadway, Ernest Tubb's Record Shop.  The building on the left is called The Batman Building because of the spires.  I see why they call it that.  It's neat to see from the freeway.  Here is another popular song of Ernest Tubb's.

One of the last stores we visited (not sure of the name) had many novelty items as well.  Not only shirts, hats and the like, but also kitchen items, rugs, belts and cute pet dishes and treats.  There we saw a line of people forming.  We hadn't noticed the signs as we entered detailing the visit of the ever famous Wanda Jackson later that very night.  And she had just performed at the Ryman Auditorium prior to her planned visit.  An older gentleman heard me asking about her and explained to me just who she is.  (I had no idea!)  Well, I know now! 

Wanda Jackson....she had just performed at the Ryman Auditorium, the former home of the Grand Ole Opry.  Wanda was in this little shop that we were shopping in, after her performance to sign autographs.  Apparently, she used to date Elvis Presley and even toured with him!   

It had been a great evening of walking and shopping.  It reminded me a bit of Fremont Street in Las Vegas.  The streets were barricaded and there were hundreds of people milling around all over.  We walked to the Ryman and waited for a bus to arrive and take us back to our hotel.  We were exhaused and ready to sit!  We still had an early morning the next day and then we'd be heading back home.  Phwew!!!