In the course of 30 years as a reporter and many a travel story in far-flung paradises – Tahiti, Fiji and a dozen tropical heavens included – no place on earth can touch Nashville. For starters, the city speaks America’s three native languages as its triple mother tongues: Country, gospel and bluegrass. And when those are not heard, the blues and jazz are around every corner. For German, Italian and French – Beethoven to Verdi to Berlioz – the Nashville Symphony has but a few national rivals.

Last month I threw a dart at the calendar and picked five days and six nights in Music City, Nashville’s adopted moniker. Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Ray Price just happened to be in town. World-renowned pianist Peter Serkin came to perform with the Nashville Symphony. Loretta Lynn played the Grand Ole Opry. On a Sunday night, I had to make tough choice between George Jones at the Ryman Auditorium or Roseanne Cash at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. And Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra played there too mid week. Throw the dart a little to the left or right on the calendar, and the Van Cliburn winner, Billy Joel, Martina McBride, Vince Gill or “Whispering” Bill Anderson headlined some poster some night somewhere in Nashville. And that’s simply the Hall of Fame A-list…

All this week HOFMAG.com editor John Budris tours the Music City - Nashville, Tennessee.