Last Saturday, Nashville celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Metro Government with a little get together of several thousand people on a rare warm spring day for this year with a celebration of music that included everything from Barbershop Quartet to a Night Train To Nashville All-Star Tribute for the grand finale.
The park in front of the courthouse has proven to be a good place to gather downtown just a few blocks north of Broadway.
Emmylou Harris kicked things off before Barbershop and String Quartets took a turn at the microphone.
Things finally kicked up a notch with one of the twin highlights of the afternoon as Sam Bush and Del McCoury jammed for several numbers trading off flat-picking and mandolin on well-known standards.
For some, this was the reason for hanging at the front of the stage while for others the rare appearance of many of Nashville’s classic R&B era was the reason to party.
Before that, Brenda Lee walked up to the podium and addressed the crowd on what Nashville has meant for her and her career. It’s a great place to live as well as a chance ticket to stardom.
Jimmy Church kicked the Night Train section off with Bobby Hebb’s “Sunny” which is the quintessential song from the classic Jefferson Street years.
Marion James’ did the classic, “24 Hours A Day” with Michael Gray from The Country Music Hall of Fame talking about each song that was chosen and the artists that made them big.
The Valentines made a rare appearance as well as the McCrary Sisters.
It was a great afternoon break and an opportunity for parents to expose their children to some great live music.
– Brad Hardisty, Nashville, TN thenashvillebridge@hotmail.com
The Nashville Bridge 
Miss you brother
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