Keith Urbans Nashville, USA
Airing Date: Dec 9th, 2002
Although Keith grew up in Caboolture, in country Queensland, he moved to Nashville eight years ago to make it big - and the Grammy-nominated, Aria-winning singer has already had a number one hit on the US chart.
Keith's Nashville tour starts with the all American Pancake Pantry. Many of the stars have their pancakes here when they're in town, so there's always a chance of a brush with fame.
After breakfast, Keith leads the way to the Country Music Hall of Fame. The CMHF is a non-profit organisation that honours the cultural significance of country music and the achievements country performers. It's four storeys full of memorabilia and history from the world's favourite country stars.
The next item on the itinerary is a tour of the Grand Ole Opry, the world's longest running live radio program. A one-hour tour allows you to go behind the scenes of the world famous Opry, stand where the Opry greats have performed and see the backstage dressing rooms used by the stars. In fact, there are so many stars visiting the Grand Ole Opry, you never know who you might bump into along the way.
If you're looking for a taste of Nashville nightlife, Keith recommends 12th & Porter, a popular outfit where local musicians perform Monday to Saturday in the hope of being discovered.
The facts
Air New Zealand flies to Los Angeles daily. Prices start from $1684 from Sydney, $1779 ex Brisbane/Melbourne and $2477 from Perth. Includes taxes. Conditions Apply. Northwest Airlines Visit USA Pass starts from $982 per person and includes four flights within the USA. Excludes government taxes and other surcharges. Conditions Apply.
Air New Zealand
Tel: 13 24 76
Northwest Airlines
Tel: 1300 303 747
Rooms at the Wyndham Hotel start from $141 per night.
Wyndham Hotel
Tel: 0011 1 615 889 9090 (international)
The Country Music Hall of Fame is open daily, expect Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day, from 10am to 6pm. Admission is $26 per person.
Country Music Hall of Fame
A one-hour tour of the Grand Ole Opry costs US$8.
The Grand Ole Opry
Admission to 12th & Porter is free.
12th & Porter
Tel: 0011 1 615 254 7236 (international)
For more information about Nashville, visit the Nashville Convention and Tourist Bureau website.
