Well, last weekend was the Franklin Rodeo.  My son and I, along with several friends, loaded up the car and headed on over to the Williamson County Agricultural Expo Center last Friday night. 

I’m no cowgirl, but I did put my hair up in two pony tails and wore jeans… it was the best I knew how to do. 

I’m so excited about the Franklin Rodeo! 

Every year I miss going, but I’m determined to be there this go-around.  My 7-½ year old son (Will) is looking forward to it, and his good friend from preschool is coming along as well.  He is a cowboy fanatic and has been since I can remember.  Will, on the other hand, not so much the cowboy… more like a Star Wars trooper and athlete. 

Anyway, festivities will begin this Friday, May 9th, with a party and auction at the Franklin Factory. 

I've been adding bits & pieces to my growing collection of "crazy cowboy things" for quite awhile now...

Yesterday, a visitor to this site sent me Bud Light's Real Men of Genius ad for "Mr. Exotic Cowboy Boot Wearer". So I guess now seems as good a time as any to share my collection of funny cowboy stuff.

Enjoy!

We attended the opening night of Nashville Star 4 tonight. (If you're not familiar with it, Nashville Star is part talent contest, part popularity contest, and part Reality TV show.)

We went mostly for the novelty of it... (and for the ability to see Big & Rich, Two-Foot-Fred, Wynonna, Cowboy Troy, and each of the talented contestants perform -- for FREE!)

We also happened to attend a "live" taping of Nashville Star two years ago -- the year that Brad Cotter won.

Here's a comparison of Season 2 with Season 4, as well as highlights from both shows -- as we saw it...

I've written about other's opinions of Nashville, Tennessee -- including tourists, college students, and seminar/convention visitors.

But have you ever wondered what it would be like to experience Music City, USA through the eyes of a child?

Come along, as we explore Nashville, Tennessee from the perspective of a 6-year-old...

A Kid's-Eye-View
A few weeks ago, Jim's brother, Steve, and his little whiz kid, Dylan, spent the weekend with us in Nashville.

Prompted by the Nashville Scene's annual You Are So Nashville If... series, I set out to see how others (namely, tourists) view Nashville these days.

I'm always interested to hear what others have to say about Nashville when they come to visit.

I can't help but think there are a number of stereotypes out there which just don't do the city justice, and it's not until you've actually BEEN here that you realize, Nashville's a pretty cool place to be!

Perhaps the most common stereotype:

"Nashville is filled with rednecks who wear cowboy hats and cowboy boots and Wranglers everywhere they go. Oh, and they talk funny too!"

Plus, since Nashville's been dubbed Music City USA and has a long-standing reputation as the Country Music Capitol of the World, many people think everything is pure Country 24/7 around here and that honky tonks are the only places to have a good time.

That couldn't be farther from the truth.

Fortunately, some have taken the time to write about their experiences and set the record straight with regard to all there is to see and do in Nashville Tennessee.

This weekend marks the much-hyped Franklin Rodeo. It is said that hundreds of out-of-town cowboys have made their way to Franklin, Tennessee for this event.

I don't exactly get it.

I probably won't be attending.

But I am WAY into all the cool marketing for it!

Try this on for size...

These are some of our favorites that have appeared in The Scene's annual listing.

You Are So Nashville If... 

• You helped make "Dixie Chicked" a verb. --Joe Scutella
• You started a prayer circle at church that the Titans keep Eddie George. --Jennifer Castleman
• You've driven down Music Row listening to a CD full of illegally downloaded songs. --Zack Bennett
• You know where all the country music stars live. --Unknown
• Your church congregation is referred to as "the studio audience." --Sharon Kasserman
• You look at karaoke as more of an audition than a fun night out. --Unknown
• The mariachi band at your favorite Mexican restaurant knows "Rocky Top." --William C. Carter
• You slip your demo tape into the bags of trick-or-treaters. --Rowland Stebbins
• You have a picture of yourself touching the butt of one of the "Musica" dancers on Music Row. --Matt Land
• Your town's biggest attraction is a memorial service. --Unknown
• You took a demo tape to Johnny Cash's funeral. --Unknown