Check Jack Pearson's schedule while you are in Nashville. He regularly plays here:

http://www.3rdandlindsley.com/calendar.html

Exit/In is another small venue with some nice shows. Any of the bars around the Ryman are worth a visit.

In NOLA, see what's up in Tipatina's, there are two locations.

What a great idea--have fun, Alan!

I'd check out www.jambase.com they have a show database that is searchable by city and date. so you could enter in some of the cities you are considering stopping at with a decent search ring and approximate dates.

sounds like a fun trip. if craft beer http://beermapping.com/ and http://www.brewerymap.com/ can let you know about breweries, bars, and beer stores along the route.

Hey Alan, you mentioned restaurants, I'd check out this website: http://www.foodnetwork.com/restaurants.html it allows you to search by city and/or show on Food Network.

I must admit, I have searched out and went to several restaurants I've seen on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Bobby Flay's shows and some others I've seen on that network.

Not sure where in Scotland you live - Cruden Bay and Dornach are two of my favorite 18 hole walks.

NOLA - near Tip's is a chicken joint with a French name Jacques something. Maple Leaf, Frenchma's street. Get away from Bourbon St, although Acme Oyster House and Mr. B's for a great lunch or dinner.

San Ant - I much prefer Austin, but if you are in SA take a short drive north, float one of the rivers like the Guadalupe then drive over to Lochart for proper BBQ at Black's or smitty's (or lunch then float).

El Paso - I'd think about avoiding EP and going north to Carlsbad caverns or White Sands and having dinner in Hatch for some green chile New Mexican food. even Las Cruses is preferred over
EP - just my opinion.

Too bad you won't have time to check out the Grand Canyon or Zion National Park. pretty cool.

safe travels & enjoy retirement

spend a day in memphis, sun studios, elvis, gibson factory, MLK, Rendezvous good ribs have fun in for some beautiful scenery

We stayed at 1842 Inn in Macon last Spring when we were in Macon - it's quite lovely. They make a great mint julep at cocktail hour and within walking distance of a lot of great Allman landmarks. Be sure to check the hours of the Big House Museum to make sure they are open while you are there.

If you have time between New Orleans and San Antonio and are looking for some great music, take some time in Austin, TX for sure (maybe instead of El Paso).

Have a great trip!

Thanks for the tips guys I.ve already looked on Jack Pearsons site but sadly no luck coz I just love the man to bits. Also they show Diners drive Ins and dives over here in Scotland ( I'm from Edinburgh ) and I'm a big fan so I'll definitely hunt down some of these if I can. I would also love to visit Austin other than El Paso but it.s only a sleep stop on the way to Tucson and the extra mileage would be difficult? We also plan to visit all the places in Memphis you mentioned our hotel is very close to rendezvous and I'm told it s got great ribs and the Gibson factory tour is a must as I'm a big fan and have just treated myself to a new J35 (retiral treat )

Too bad you won't have time to check out the Grand Canyon or Zion National Park. pretty cool.

Foppa is right ... it's about 5 hours from Tuscon but if you do get the chance to make the trip it's worth it to see the Grand Canyon. In the words of John Muir "It seems a gigantic statement for even nature to make ... all in one mighty stone word..." (Zion is also beautiful but may be further than you want to travel from Tuscon - sounds like that's where you'll be flying out?)

Enjoy your trip, Alan, and enjoy your retirement! (I've got a retirement trip to Scotland sitting on my bucket list ... one day ... SOON!)

[Edited on 4/8/2015 by lolasdeb]

Enjoy your trip, Alan, and enjoy your retirement! (I've got a retirement trip to Scotland sitting on my bucket list ... one day ... SOON!)

Thanks for the advice! We have visited the Grand Canyon a couple of times and although it is amazing we feel we can miss it this time. Never been to Zion but an old guy can only drive so far
A trip to Scotland should be on your bucket list also because we also have a magical country albeit somewhat smaller

You'd be crazy to leave Memphis without eating at Gus' Fried Chicken. Get a 40 oz. beer and some of that spicy chicken. Damn, now my mouth's watering.

You'd be crazy to leave Memphis without eating at Gus' Fried Chicken. Get a 40 oz. beer and some of that spicy chicken. Damn, now my mouth's watering.

Thanks for that!! The old stomachs inflating in anticipation 😛

You are going to have an amazing time, and I'm very jealous. You MUST visit Sedona, Arizona. It will blow your mind.

As for safety, I would change your plans and avoid El Paso, TX. It's pretty awful and dangerous....and whatever you do, don't make the mistake that I did and cross over into Juarez, Mexico from El Paso. I did that with my ex back in 2002 not knowing anything about Juarez. We feared for our lives and saw gangs roaming the street with machine guns.

When you're in my favorite city, New Orleans, just go to Frenchmen Street. It's three blocks of musical heaven. The Blue Nile, the Spotted Cat, d.b.a., Snug Harbor - lots of amazing music every night of the year. If you're there on a Wednesday, you've got to go to the early show (6 PM) at d.b.a. and hear The Tin Men, one of my very favorite bands - guitar, tuba, and washboard. Matt Perrine is the best tuba player on the planet (seriously), and Alex McMurray is an amazing songwriter, as well as a great guitarist. Frenchmen Street is too far to walk from Poydras, but it's worth a cab ride.

Food - Olivier's on Decatur St. for Creole; the poorly-named Praline Connection on Frenchmen for soul food. And you've got to have a muffaletta at Central Grocery on Decatur in the French Quarter.

Cheers alans! What's a visit to the colonies without a stop in California! Stop by the Rocky Mountains too on your way over. You'll not be disappointed.

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks everyone

What's a visit to the colonies without a stop in California! Stop by the Rocky Mountains too on your way over. You'll not be disappointed.

I hear you Stratdal but I think I've been to California more often than a lot of Americans so I can probably safely miss it this time

Hello alans, sounds like a great trip you have planned there. My wife and I have been to Northumberland a couple of times, including a run up to Edinburgh. Loved it and hope to return.

If you do the smart phone thing there are a couple of apps that will help you find the spots Guy has visited. We've found several that way in our wanderings.

New Orleans is great, yes the Quarter is the tourist section but still can be enjoyable, you definately want to walk down Bourbon Street as day turns to night. 😮

Frenchmen Street! Check who's playing at House of Blues and Tipitinas when you are there.

Enjoy!

Hey, Alan! Great to hear that you have joined the ranks of the idle rich. Well, idle at least!

Your trip sounds great and I wonder if this would help you:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Rough-Guide-Music-USA/dp/185828421X

It's a little out of date now but a lot of the stuff will still be relevant. I've had a copy for years.

If you're planning on coming down for the Mule show next month, I'll happily lend you my copy.

[Edited on 4/10/2015 by Shavian]

Thanks Gordon I ll have a look at that Sadly I won t make The Mule as I ll be on holiday then but I will be at Tedeschi Trucks in November. Hope to see you then

Enjoy your retiirement trip Alan, see you at TTB in London.

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You are going to have an amazing time, and I'm very jealous. You MUST visit Sedona, Arizona. It will blow your mind.

As for safety, I would change your plans and avoid El Paso, TX. It's pretty awful and dangerous....and whatever you do, don't make the mistake that I did and cross over into Juarez, Mexico from El Paso. I did that with my ex back in 2002 not knowing anything about Juarez. We feared for our lives and saw gangs roaming the street with machine guns.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I spend a lot of time in El-paso, and its known as the safest big city in america. [unless you are a pedestrian] I agree with you on juarez though.

We just passed through, and I guess we coincidentally only found the bad area. I'm sure there are plenty of nice spots in that city - my bad for generalizing.

Enjoy your retiirement trip Alan, see you at TTB in London.

Thanks Mike I ll see you then

We just passed through, and I guess we coincidentally only found the bad area. I'm sure there are plenty of nice spots in that city - my bad for generalizing.

Thanks for that, We are only overnighting in El Paso, maybe be time for some good texmex 😛