crawfish boil

Yum. Yum. Yum. Nicely seasoned. 

Some debris in the firepit. 

Washboard, anyone? Anyone?

When all is said and done ... lots of shells. 

The backdrop ... a sleepy part of the Cumberland River. 

Sassy guitar player / crawfish broiler. 

We have company in town this weekend, and decided to check out a place near the water called Norm's River Road House. They had a crawfish boil today with music by various New Orleans artists. 

Good food, good beer, good company, good music. It was a good time, AND (probably most exciting to me) I found out about (and tasted) a brand of andouille that is definitely on my shopping list next time I make gumbo. Super spicy and yum!

martina @ tribe

Martina McBride showed up at the Nashville bar Tribe tonight to promote her new album, "Shine." 

Not only did she make an appearance, she stayed a couple hours, hanging out in a booth with her husband, talking to friends and fans.

shout out

Get that can!

Power-washing the filth off. 

Behind the Dumpster is the worst spot. 

I'd like to give a shout out to the Nashville Downtown Partnership for cleaning up the alley behind our apartment building -- and downtown in general. It's hard, dirty work, and they do an excellent job. 

maia at the bluebird

Maia Sharp performing at the Bluebird Cafe.

Our table -- #7 -- about a foot away from the musicians.

One of Maia's turns during the round.

Bluebird neon sign on one of the walls in the venue.

One of the most famous spots in Nashville is the Bluebird Cafe, known for its extremely intimate, casual atmosphere and ability to showcase the most talented singer-songwriters around.

Maia Sharp performed on May 8 with Craig Carothers, Lisa Carver and Jonathan Kingham. The show was amazing. We got to know her music when she started opening for Bonnie Raitt.

Not only did Maia write several songs on Bonnie's last album, "Souls Alike," she also wrote "Home" on the Dixie Chicks album of that name. She is set to release her next album, "Echo," later this summer. Check her out!

big muddy

The Hernando DeSoto Bridge ... ah, Memphis. I do miss you when I'm gone.

Mud, mud everywhere. And this was taken early in the day. It turned from mud to slop.

Note the backs of their pants. Later in the day, the mud was so deep and wet, someone took a step in my vicinity, and I wound up with mud on my hand. It splashed that high! 

So serious. ... Doesn't he know what his hat looks like? 

Amos Lee performing on the Sam's Town stage. He was amazing, as usual.

This past weekend, we went to Memphis for the last day of the 2009 Beale Street Music Festival. It was solid rain all day, but we were happy. Bonnie Raitt, Snoop Dogg, Amos Lee, James Taylor and more, all on one day. And it didn't hurt that I was able to score free tickets and spots in the Memphis Flyer VIP tent. Free beer!! Free barbecue!! Clean port-o-potties!!

The mud and rain were so intense, we lined the car seats with plastic bags and made a pit stop at my parents' house before heading home so we could shower and wash our clothes. The mud in my shoes alone was about two millimeters thick. Whatever, though. We had a great time. I had never been, and I feel like a better Memphian for having experienced it.