This trip was last August. I'm breaking it into two posts so hopefully my brain will be able to recall the events more clearly.
The reason for this trip to Nashville was to see a show that Jeff wrote and performed.(htt://www.williams.jeffrey.k.googlepages.com) It was called "Vienna Waits", an actor unravels the music of Billy Joel. Jeff has a friend, Anne-Geri Fann(Angie), who knew he had been pouring himself into writing this production. She believed it should to be heard and that HE needed to be heard, so she took matters into her own hands and booked a venue for Jeff to perform this show. You don't have to know Angie for very long to catch her passion for theater, but even more, for helping her friends succeed in life.
So, the show was booked, dates were set, a band and background singers were found and Jeff was about to embark on his first solo, professional "gig".
Well, wild horses were not going to keep this mom away! I got flights booked, with the help of Angie, who is ALSO a travel agent (http://www.bluemountaintravelcompany); packed up Len and Lauree (i'm leaving out many details here) and we were on our way to Music City USA to hear our son perform a phenomenal show. We were really sad that Jon and Joanna couldn't come with us. We actually tried to work it out for Jon to play drums for his brother, but Jon's work schedule didn't cooperate. Maybe someday. BUT...we did have some other VIP guests join us. Our very dear friend Judy McClary, her daughter Amy with her then 2 mo. old son Kaleb!
Yesiree...they drove 8 hours from their home in Arkansas just to see/hear Jeff's show! Since they were there for the weekend,we had a really fun time showing them some of the sights around town, including The Opryland Hotel and a late night stroll down Music Row, Len's favorite place in town.Lauree and I spent some "girl" time with Anne-Geri too. Ang was going to get a manicure for the show, so she took us with her. Laur & I had our first manicure/pedicure experience! Ha...the staff barely spoke english. We managed to communicate what we wanted but we were a little nervous. None of us ended up with wild artwork. Ha! We had LOTS of laughs. Especially when the chair unexpectadly started "massaging"...oh, and I ended up with a HUGE bruise on one of my legs from the FIST POUNDING massage I was given. Dude! I thought massages were supposed to relax a person. SHEESH! And what was Mr. Len doing while the girls were out playing? He did some "bar hopping"! He says it was for the music...hummm. :)
Each time we go to Nashville I get a better understanding of why Jeffrey loves it so much. It's full of places to go, people to see, music to hear/perform and stages to light. He's got good friends and he likes his job at Belmont U.
Nashville stole my son. He's changed a lot. I'm proud of him...
Change Is Good.
