NESP Forum

He read my email. I hope he went and picked it up before he left 'Bama.

OK Ladies - I didn't forget my photos. Well, I did but I was just sidetracked by a little music show on Tues & Wed nights that has come to an end.

Let me take you back to Birmingham...

I do have some photos of the actual convention but I don't know if the girls want their photos shown here. Most of them do visit here - so Coder, Tishlp, TaraRenee - if you want to see your photos, let me know.

A couple of the Silent auction items:
Autographed harp & photo (leave it to Taylor to autograph a harmonica with a silver sharpie )





Donated collage from (help me out Liz...?)

OK. Here's the sort of funny story about our trip north to the Hall of Fame. We left with plenty of time to spare, however, Liz decided we should listen to some music on the way. I'm not sure what we were listening to (it wasn't Taylor but a summer mix) but we were having a little TOO much fun with it and we missed our exit. Suddenly, I notice that we're at Exit 322 and we were supposed to have taken Exit 310. Andrea says, "Oh I think the numbers are going down. We're OK." That's when I realize we're at Exit 325. Instead of just getting back on the Interstate South, we stop at a gas station and ask for directions. It's 9:10 and the unveiling is at 10. The gas station gives us directions that he says are "shorter" and that it will take us about 45 minutes to get there. This is where my knowledge of NASCAR takes over and we drive 85 MPH over back country roads until we FINALLY reach Tuscumbia, AL and the Music Hall of Fame. At 9:55. We park the PT Cruiser and race across the parking lot to find a very packed lobby awaiting the start of the ceremony. Just in time!!!

Exterior shot of the Hall of Fame:



Lobby:



Yes, Amy, you are in Alabama.



Part of the Bo Bice display:



I'll take what's behind the Purple Curtain, Monty!



Taylor's Grandma Joni and cousin Morgan prepare to unveil the display:



Cowbell, drumsticks and harmonica from the 2007 Whomp tour:



No explanation necessary.



The robe Taylor wore during the American Idol Live tour. He should have come out on stage in that!



The "Dancing Queen" tamborine:



Display write-up (little blurry because it was under glass):



Autographed poster:

The Entire AL Music Hall of Fame was amazing. I would love to go back and visit when we had the time to take to explore and read and listen. There was a jukebox there that had music on it from AL musicians and songwriters that was free to listen to. Andrea and I listened to a little Ricky Van Shelton. Anyway, here are some other photos -

We Are The World sheet music autographed by Lionel Richie:



Sun Records display:



I love Hank Williams Sr so I had to have a photo of this (for me & my mom)
Explanation follows.





The group Alabama's old tour bus - which you can actually walk through. Pretty close quarters, but very cool to see! 70s tour bus living at it's finest.



Percy Sledge:



I couldn't leave without a little memory of Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama, baby!



The Hall's walk of fame already has a Taylor brick.



Beautiful fountain area in front of the Hall:

And then my camera batteries died. And I was at Sloss Furnace without any replacements. And unable to get new ones before we went to the BBQ.

However, I knew all my friends that were with me had theirs and would provide us all with great footage. I'm just bummed that I wasn't able to take any of my very own.

I do have a funny story about going to the BBQ. Andrea and I got ready in a Chevron bathroom. First gas station of the Interstate that we saw, we ran in, brushed our hair, washed our faces (horribly humid night) and washed our hands because the hand soap smelled really good. We bought a roll of lifesavers and set out on our merry way. In the wrong direction. The Chevron was right at the end of the road that we needed to take but we continued off in the opposite direction. Luckily, we didn't drive too far before we stopped and asked directions and found our way back. It was a long and winding road that isn't maintained by town but I would guess that the people that owned it had enough money to maintain it themselves. We had to cross a little wooden bridge and finally arrived at the most beautiful home and stables that I've ever seen. It was a warm, overcast night (marvelous night for a moondance, right?) and the smell of BBQ filled the air. Anticipation did too. Of course, you know by now what a fantabulous night we had. I wouldn't have traded it for the world.

But I still want to see In Your Time done live...I'm never satisfied.

Onto later in the evening...

Loved the pictures and commentary.

The purple jacket and paisley shirt need something more than that headless mannequin..
We should offer to donate Stuffed Taylor!

Oh Amy these are wonderful pictures! Thanks so much for sharing them with us!

DidNotExpectThat - Tina Shaddix - took the pictures in the collage. She takes beautiful pictures.

Great pics!! I don't get a chance to visit the boards much anymore, work has been super crazy lately. We were @ Sloss and then Metro Bistro. Didn't go to the Hall of Fame, but will next week. We've been before, but not since the Taylor exhibit. I love the posterboard of Taylor, Ruben, and Bo!! I have one just like it!

Thank you Diane. I thought it was Tina but didn't want to give the wrong credit.

Amy, you got some great shots. I'm so glad you got the brick that the Right Place donated-I thought that was really cool! Can't wait until our NESP one arrives LOL we did spend a lot of time getting lost now that I think about it

Tina did do a great job on that collage