Always... an Adventure, at Heart of Country.

<3

Always get a little... sideways, this time of year.

Many... reasons, I suppose.

We did Heart of Country... in Nashville, from 2001, 'til the last 'Heart', in 2014.

It was the Most Difficult Show, we ever did, but...

 for so many reasons, it was 

The Most Rewarding.

<3 <3 <3

There's still 'Tailgate' shows going on.

No more...

'Heart'.

: (

Many Friend's are heading to Nashville, now.

: )

I... could've signed up with a 'Tailgate' Show, when Heart was no more...

They are Amazing Events, as well.

but...

Nothing Like 'Heart of Country'.

There will never be another 'Heart'.

It.... was Truly, 

The 'Granddaddy'.

: )

Pegadoo... along with Many Friends, joined together, at Heart, that year.

Over the years... Many Pal's would join us in Nashville, over Valentine's Week.

The Opryland Hotel.

; )

Lord... Lord, did we have Fun!!

; )

It was Beyond... Grueling Work.

Long Hours.

Stressful...

oh my.

; )

but, we... 'Played' as hard as we worked, at the end of each day.

; )

Above... is our last 'Heart' Booth, in 2014.

<3

Captured the above image... one morning after rolling back in, at Home...

from 'Heart'.

; )

I could write a book, with only 'Heart' stories.

; )

Always thought of the Bob Seger tune, 'Turn the Page', when I got Home from 'Heart'.

; )

Heart of Country was held at The Opryland Hotel, in Nashville.

{If you've never been to The Opryland Hotel, google it. 

It's a BIG Deal.

'Big' is an Understatement. 

In my opinion, the years we did 'Heart', were 'The Glory Days'.}

The first time we attended... we got lost trying to find our room.

; )

Not good, when you've been loading Trucks, for Days...

in the Bitter Iowa Cold,

 and...

 after driving 12 hours, to get there.

There's nearly 3,000 rooms, at The Opryland.

All under one roof. 

It's like Another World.

A

Glorious 'World'.

<3

Beyond... Beautful.

<3

Promoter, Libby Kramer... Knew What She Was Doing, holding 

'Heart' there.

{Libby... was an Amazing Woman. Miss Her. 

I... admired her, so.}

<3

I'll never forget calling, then... 'Show Partner', and Friend... Julie, asking her if she'd consider going as far as Nashville, and 'do' Heart of Country.

: )

I was scrambling... trying to find an 'Event' for this time of year.

 Called Libby Kramer, 'Heart of Country', thought I was calling one of it's 'tailgate' shows.

 They were all listed in a Country Home magazine, I'd been reading.

Libby, and I talked... for nearly an hour, before she informed me I wasn't talking to a 'tailgate' promoter, I was speaking to

 'Libby Kramer'...

 'Heart of Country'.

I Laughed, said... "I'm so sorry, Libby, seems I've wasted your time!!!

; )

 I've heard Much... about your Amazing Show, it's Incredible, I've heard. 

but...

 we're from Iowa, and... don't have any 40,000. cupboards."

; )

Libby replied, "Barb, we don't need another 40,000. cupboard, we need to be diverse.

If you'd like to join us at Heart of Country, let me know."

<3

When I asked Julie, about considering 'Heart', she was flabbergasted.

Hahahahaha!!

Julie, was SURE I was 'Mistaken'.

 Julie, and her Mom... had attended 'Heart' as a Treat, a few times over the years.

Julie...was sure, 'Iowa' wouldn't 'Fit', or... be considered for 'Heart of Country'.

{'Juried' event.}

well...

I assured Julie, we have a Booth, at 'Heart'... if she wanted to make the trek.

; )

We made the trek.

; )

Pulled in at The Opryland Hotel, in a 1981 Ford F350, loaded like The Beverly Hillbillies,

with the

16 foot Trailer, in tow, also... Loaded, 'beyond'.

; )

An Opryland Hotel Valet... walked up to The Ford, asked me if I'd like him to park my Truck.

: )

{There were Limos, and Cabs... sharing the Beautiful... Opryland Hotel's Main Lobby Entrance, with The Ford, and Trailer.}

Hahahahaha!!!!

I Laughed, and... said, 

"Thank You... Sir!!!.... but, no.

: )

 This Old Boy's... clutch... is kinda 'temperamental'...

; )

believe we'll 'check in', and... I'll get him 'parked'."

{I believe... the Kind Valet, was Very Grateful. <3}

; )

Hahahahahahahaha!!!

<3

{thinking back... it mighta been kinda Fun, watching The Kind... Valet, trying to park... The Old Ford.

Getting him outta second gear, mighta Fun... watching, Too!!!

; )

but...

that, would've been kinda... naughty.}

; )

There's much more... to this 'Heart of Country' Year One... 'story'.

<3

: )

Always, Always... Wonderful 'Adventures' at Heart of Country, at The Opryland Hotel, in Nashville.

; )

Priceless.

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.