Stories

10 Historic Country Music Landmarks You Should Visit

4. Grinder’s Switch, Tenn. (Home of Minnie Pearl)

wideopencountry

There may not be much to Minnie Pearl’s hometown of Grinder’s Switch, but that’s kinda the point. The beloved country comedian and Grand Ole Opry star frequently made references to Grinder’s Switch, a town filled with lovable country characters. Grinder’s Switch is actually a small spot in the road in Centerville, Tenn., where a young Minnie Pearl (Sarah Ophelia Cannon) would go with her father. Today, you can stop by the Grinder’s Switch Winery in Centerville and raise a glass to Minnie.

5. Cheatham Street Warehouse

The unassuming Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, Texas holds an important piece of country music history. The Cheatham Street stage is where George Strait played his first shows back when he was a student at Texas State. Cheatham Street founder Kent Finlay was an early champion of Strait’s music and even drove the Texas singer to record his first demos in Nashville.

Finlay also created a weekly Songwriters Circle that spawned Texas artists like James McMurtry, Bruce Robison and Randy Rogers.

6. The Bluebird Cafe

Perhaps no place is more important to Nashville songwriters than the Bluebird Cafe. The venue opened in 1982. Since then, singer-songwriters have clamored to play in the esteemed listening room. in 1987, Garth Brooks was signed to Capitol Records after a record executive caught his showcase at the Bluebird.

Previous 2 of 3 Next

Show comments
Share
Published by

Recent Posts

John Travolta’s Daughter Ella Recreates Tom Cruise’s Delicious Friendship Cake

The fastest way to a person's heart is through their stomach. Famously, Tom Cruise gifts…

5 hours ago

The Cast of ‘Conan The Barbarian’ Then And Now 2023

UPDATED 6/6/2023 Conan the Barbarian is a 1982 fantasy adventure film directed and co-written by…

5 hours ago

Here’s What A Pawprint Sticker On A Mailbox Means

Have you ever been out and about and saw a pawprint sticker on a mailbox?…

7 hours ago

The Cast Of The Original ‘MacGyver’ Then And Now 2023

UPDATED JUNE 6, 2023 His mind is the ultimate weapon. The guy who once said,…

8 hours ago

Why Brooke Shields Warned Her Daughter Not To Pursue Modeling

Former supermodel, Brooke Shields, found herself in a fix when her younger daughter, Grier, expressed…

9 hours ago

Why Kirstie Alley Was Gifted A Shotgun As A Welcome Gift On The Set Of ‘Cheers’

The late Kirstie Alley got an unconventional gift when she joined the popular TV series…

19 hours ago