This is why I love Nashville

I’m not going to lie: I love the city of Nashville.

As a child we’d come to Nashville almost every summer as part of our vacation trek and there was always this part of me that wanted to live here.

Somehow, by God’s grace, that actually happened. I’ve been here for almost 10 years, and I feel at home here.

I. Love. Nashville.

And sometimes, at the weirdest moments, I just get this overwhelming sense of how much I love this city and a deep thankfulness that I get to live here. One of those moments happened last night when a couple of friends and I went to the Bluebird Cafe to hear Dave Barnes, Jon McLaughlin, Brandon Heath, and Gabe Dixon in the round. I don’t know if so many artists I admire and love have ever been in the room before. There was Dave’s banter, great lyrics, and soulful sound. There was Jon McLaughlin’s technical prowess on the piano and a moment of music that was so beautiful I think hearts stopped beating and people stopped breathing to hear it better. I’ve never heard the Bluebird that quiet! There was Brandon Heath’s honesty and love for Christ, caught up in beautiful lyrics and the acknowledgement that I continually tend to underappreciate him as a singer/songwriter. There was Gabe Dixon and his beautiful songs and his unique voice singing about rain and love and real life and making me remember more the way those special moments feel.

It was a night that could only happen in Nashville. A night of music and funny stories, honesty, laughter, and people who sing not just because they can, but because they have to. When the song bubbles up inside of them, they can’t simply ignore it. And I appreciate them for it.

Here’s to many more Nashville nights full of music, fun, and friends!