Photos: Are you ready for the country? The Line Of Best Fit in Nashville

Back in October, we left the ever looming winter chill of London in exchange for the warmer climes of Nashville, Tennessee to embark on perhaps one of the most inspiring trips encountered in recent years. A city that wears its origins proudly on its (denim) sleeve, Nashville is the home – the beating heart and soul – of country music. Invited by the folks at Jack Daniel’s to help celebrate the birthday of Mr Jack (which would ultimately result in a late night knees up with excessive amounts of BBQ’d food, whiskey and a gaggle of Muscle Shoals finest session musicians), the three day visit was fuelled from start to the finish with southern hospitality, ramshackle music bars, and an overlaying sense of pride excued from the local inhabitants that this part of the world was a place to be truly proud of.

Seventy miles outside of Nashville lies the miniscule sleepy town of Lynchburg. Home to the Jack Daniel’s disterelly – the town’s one and only source of employment for the locals (aside from a smattering of gift shops of ice cream parlours). Fascinatingly, Lynchburg is located in a dry county – so, where you’d expect bar after bar serving up Jack until it pours out of your preverbial eyeballs, the reality is the complete opposite. A true taste of a one-horse town, Lynchburg is filled with residents that are genuinely happy with their lot. A simple, uncomplicated life – a million miles away from the daily grind of London. It’s this sense of simplicity that marries together the nature of the town’s inhabitants with the spirit of Country music. Honest, heartfelt, humble – walking through the streets of Nashville or indeed Lynchburg, you’re filled with a sense of longing for a simpler life where all you really need to get by is a country record and a decent pair of cowboy boots.

The photos below attempt to illustrate the true sprit of Tennessee. From the Broadway strip that’s almost deserted in the daytime yet comes alive as the sun sets or the dusty highways that lead us into Lynchburg. It’s an illustration of real America and one that will stay with us for many years to come.

Also pictured are highlights from the aforementioned Jack Daniel’s birthday party which, amongst that frankly stunning bbq, featured performances by Warpaint,Plan B and K.Flay – all backed by some of the most incredible session musicians the world has ever seen: stalwarts of Muscle Shoals who were flanked by living legend Steve Cropper. Not only famous for his work with Booker T and the MG’s, Cropper has written hit after timeless hit throughout his illustrious 40+ year career. ‘Knock On Wood’, ‘In the Midnight Hour’ and ‘(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay’ to name just three of his ‘big’ hitters – all of which were performed on the night with all the immediacy and vigour you could ever hope for. A genuinely life affirming few days.