[Day Three] Oh, I’ve got Friends in Sweet Places

Mar 25, 2010 by Monica Danna    4 Comments    Posted under: music, travel

Well, we packed up and headed further east yesterday. Sad to say goodbye to Nashville, but it was more like ’til next time. Chunked the deuce.

Andrew attended an ASCAP Q&A session in the morning, and then we got on the road around noon for Charlotte, NC. It was the most beautiful part of the drive so far. Leaving Tennessee and approaching North Carolina we found ourselves on a beautiful winding road through the Blue Ridge mountains.

We threw on some Mumford & Sons, and of course, some Ryan Adams to get us across the North Carolina border.

We arrived about 8pm and visited with our amazing hosts, good friends Laurie and Bob Smithwick. We were hustling to get there before Lauie + Bob’s twin daughters, Lucy + Zoe, went to bed. Laurie had explained that the girls had recently started taking guitar lessons and were very excited that Andrew was visiting. We weren’t there 5 minutes before Lucy warmed up to Andrew, and asked him if she could show him something. She instructed him to close his eyes, while she went off to her room to fetch something.

She returned with a nylon-string tiny student guitar. He wasted no time tuning up and played Fireflies for the girls before bedtime. It was the neatest thing to see this large man, on a tiny guitar, while two 8-year-olds watched on in amazement.

After visiting, the girls went to bed and Laurie walked us over to a Gastro Lounge called Soul. Great food, good beer, and an incredible atmosphere. Perfect night for a slow, catching up, North Carolina night.

We’re extremely gracious to Laurie and Bob for their hospitality. We were there less than 12 hours, but felt like we had been there for year. The sign of a great host.

Right now, we’re right outside of Durham, headed into D.C. We’re both excited for Andrew’s show tonight at the Red & the Black. Excited to see old friends, and meet news ones.

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