Second Home
“Hi, this is George Strait! Welcome to the Nashville International Airport…”
The sounds of familiar country artists’ voices filled the airport welcoming us to the Promised Land of Country Music.
My parents and I made our way through the terminal to baggage claim. I gawked at everything as we passed billboards of things to do in town, souvenir shops and others walking to their next destination.
In true Nashville fashion, there was also a mini honky tonk inside the airport with up and coming singer/songwriters belting their hearts out, hoping for just the right person to hear. To change their lives and be plucked out of obscurity, like some of the other legends in town.
I was 16-years-old. It was the summer of 2008.
And little did I know that when I stepped off the plane that the particular trip I was on and that place was going to change my life forever in so many ways.
I’ll never forget the overwhelming mugginess that is the southern heat as I walked out of the airport for the first time. It felt like I’d stepped into a sauna. And yet, I somehow already knew I was in love.
At 16, you don’t know who you are. I was still searching for what made me...Well, me.
Many people ask “why Nashville?” when I’ve talked about my trips there or the artists and shows I’ve traveled for.
Country music got me there. The sound of the twangs and the steel guitars.
For years, my mom and I had wondered what Nashville would be like, especially "Fan Fair" as it was known many years ago. A time where all of the best in country music went back to Nashville as a thank you to their fans - playing music, throwing parties and doing signings/events all around town.
We finally made it for CMA Fest. Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift got me there - they were new to the scene and two of my biggest inspirations. Writing their own songs, telling their stories and just being strong female role models. They were outspoken about the things they believed in.
But, it was the people and the sense of belonging it gave me while I was there that made me think...home.
I found my passion for story.
While I originally wanted to be a singer or thought I might do something in the music business when I was in high school, I instead decided what I actually wanted was to be a storyteller.
It was a world that while similar to my own transported me to a different time and space.
Opened my eyes to what I’d been missing.
Nashville gave me a sense of peace.
It was the idea that people from all around the world moved to this one place - different backgrounds, upbringings and so forth to share their story.
It was a down-home feeling that made you feel like you didn’t know a stranger.
I thought I would end up there for college. God had other plans. I've made a few trips back since then, but haven't been able to stay.
The timing hasn’t been right and I’ve finally accepted that. But, it helped me get on the track that I needed to get to. I'm thankful for all of the memories, the friends and that it got me here. Who knows what the future holds, but I'll always consider Nashville like a second home.
That's all for now,
Shelby