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Tee’s Favorite Place In Nashville

I just got back from a seminar in Nashville and like always, I went to have a beer a Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge on Lower Broadway. If you’ve been to that…

I just got back from a seminar in Nashville and like always, I went to have a beer a Tootsie's Orchid Lounge on Lower Broadway. If you've been to that area, I'm sure you've seen the orchid colored building that stands out on that block because most people don't paint buildings bright purple..Ha! But do you know the history? Yes, lot's of country music history in this building.

Tootsies has a really good location, because directly behind it, separated by a small alley is the Ryman Auditorium. Yes, that Ryman.The Mother Church of Country Music. The original home of the Grand Ole Opry.

The huge country stars that have played the Ryman would gather at Tootsies to trade song ideas, have a beer or two and hang out and have some fun. It was just a few steps from the Ryman's backstage door to Tootsie's via the alley....as a matter of fact about 34 steps. In 2011 The Country Music Hall of Fame honored Tootsies with a photo exhibit entitled "Tootsies Orchid Lounge: Thirty Four Steps and Fifty Years."

Many of the country stars you hear on KICKS have played there like Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, and more, joining the legends that walked the thirty four steps like Patsy Cline, Hank Williams and Willie Nelson.

Next time you're in Nashville, check it out and soak up the history of country music and have an ice cold beer. Man, if those walls could talk!

Check out my photos below-

The small stage

The Upper Area Looking Down To Bar

Upstairs To Rooftop Area Added Some Years Back

The Walls Are Full Of Artist Pictures

In The Center Is The Legendary Owner....Tootsie

Pictures Of More Stars Who Hung Out At Tootsies

Tee has worked with KICKS 99 for over 24 years as Operations Manager and Program Director and is on-air each afternoon 3p-7p. When he’s not working, you’ll find him traveling the back roads, taking pictures, and searching for the next dive diner. Favorite place to visit? That’s easy. Folly Beach, SC. He’s usually there at least a few times a year. He lives in North Augusta and on Saturdays in the fall, you’ll find him cooking out and watching his Clemson Tigers. Tee likes to write about travel, Augusta local dive bars and diners and destinations in the Carolinas, as well as new business.