Nashville - LTA Goldmine; AKA Jason Childers Saves a Life

Thanks to everybody who commented on this post:

Goodbye Belfast

I am so touched by the heartfelt messages from people.  It really means a lot to me.  I've also received some lovely emails from folks - and there's some concern re:  the end of the Belfast LTA era. 

Don't worry folks!  Wayne will be doing regular reports from Northern Ireland on the Podcast and I plan on visiting Belfast at least once a year from here on out; just like I said in this Video - once you've had the smell of Belfast on you, you can't get it out. 

Anyhew, I'm now in Belfast's sister city: Nashville.  Don't know what I'm going to do here.  Don't know how long I'm going to stay.  But I do know one thing.

It's an LTA GOLDMINE.

Today was my first time here and if I had been recording I could easily have gotten 3 podcasts out of the day's adventures.

First of all, (and I don't mean this as a condemnation of the U.S. Health Care system), the 'mentally ill' seem to be walking the streets.  I ran into several folks whose rich fantasy lives seemed to eclipse even my own.  My favourite was the gentleman who assured me he was running for President of the United States and had secured Jerry Rice as his V.P., (OK OK maybe this should be seen as a condemnation of the shambles they have for health care here).

There are also so many things to photograph.  I especially liked this video sign featured below which advertised, (look closely and you can just make it out), a 'Shoot for the Future' fund-raiser; according to their website the group is dedicated to helping disabled people enjoy trap and clay shooting.  This is the kind of thing I'll really enjoy seeing and participating in at some level over here - stuff you would never see in Belfast; (and don't condemn it out of hand Europe - let me tell ya, shooting a gun is fun.  Really.  It. Is. Fun.)

So I was taking photos of the advert for 'Shoot for the Future' when I noticed that a group of people under it the WERE VIDEOING ME.  I was so enraptured by the image of the guy in the wheelchair with a shotgun I didn't notice that the giant flashing sign sat right above the  campaign headquarters for Nashville Mayoral Candidate Karl Dean.

Now apparently earlier in the day there was a bit of a fracas with protesters outside the office - so the Karl Dean staff where understandable edgy about a guy intently taking photos of their office.  A Karl Dean staff member crossed the street and approached me.  I was concerned that there might be fisticuffs.  But he turned out to be sweet and there were no problems.

My first impression is that people here in Nashville as extremely friendly.  This of course makes my makes my job as a broadcaster that much easier.  In fact, already on Day 1 of the LTA Nashville experience my life has been saved by the open hearted warmth of the people here.

You see that pic at top me eating ribs?

Well I wolfed them down just a wee bit too fast Dear Listener.

Luckily the help-thy-neighbour ethos of the town came to the rescue.  God bless you, Jason Childers, (playing tomorrow night at neo-honky-tonk Paradise Park, 10pm).

Right Day 1 is over.  Well, at least the afternoon is.  I wonder what tonight has in store for me?

Talk to you soon Dear Listeners.

Comments

[Susan McIntosh]

You got to be careful with that smoked pork buddy. It's got a kick. A real kick. Just remember when the oil economy in America collapses it will be people. Yes people. Delicious people. Dry rubbed.

[The Maria W.]

Welcome, darlin'

[d-man]

I think the move will make for a much more interesting podcast - the great thing about America is that so many people are just completely MAD there (and these days after living in homogenous Holland, I'm beginning to think that's a very GOOD thing) :-) Plus, they are much friendlier and like to talk to strangers, which in Europe is not as normal. Just be careful with liberal comments or you may find yourself gettin' lynched, boy!

[David Baxter]

So great to see you settled in another city. I don't know why this redneck haven is twinned with Belfast but hopefully it'll be more "trendy" for you and you'll stay there.

Maybe however once the good people of Nashville start to read some of your crap about their city they might ask you to leave as well.

Can i suggest that you now don't mention Belfast ever again as you have NO idea about the city.

BYE BYE LOVER BOY

[Jett Loe]

Susan: Yes, I'm already lovin' the pork :)

The Maria W: Thank you!

d-man: Yes, the fact that people are so effusive and friendly here means a steady stream of 'material' for the show!

David Baxter: Don't worry David I haven't moved to Nashville - it's just become a regular stop on my travels; I'll be doing a series of regular specials from Belfast so keep listening! :)

[Phil]

Unlike our northern states, it is generally considered rude not to, at the very least, offer a friendly acknowledgement even to strangers.

Jett will find Nashville to be easy work from a podcasting perspective.

I would highly recommend, Jett, you venture to "Dollywood" and compare it to the Belfast amusement park you & Wayne visited (I can't recall the name now).

[Jett Loe]

Dollywood! Yes of course! I seem to recall that there are LTA listeners out that way as well.

Would be a nice compliment to this episode:

Letter to America - Chapter 50 - Funderland!

[Chill]

Being a Tennessee resident, I agree with D-Man. Nashville/Dollywood/Anywhere in the South you will find a lot of material for LTA. Welcome to the South my friend.

[Jett Loe]

Thanks Chill - I'm looking forward to this phase of the project.

Yesterday as I was walking down the street I looked to my left and saw a young man strolling in the opposite direction on the other side of the road - he looked at me...and waved!

I didn't even know him.

[Chill]

When I was in Prague I had somebody ask me if all people in Tennessee went around and said "Howdy" when they saw each other on the streets... I told him that was silly and that we were much more normal than that... we don't just say howdy... crazy Czechs...