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Theme Parks / Dollywood / Amusement Parks / Tennesee Travel / → All Tags

A Second Dollywood Theme Park May Be on the Way to Nashville

It’s time for Dollywood part deux, as Dolly Parton is ready to get to work—maybe even 9 to 5—on her second theme park. This time she’s got her sights on the greater Nashville area, and if all goes as planned the tourists and travelers will be filling up the parking lots starting in 2014.

The new place doesn’t sound to be another exact version of the original theme park, as this new establishment is going to only cost $50 million to build. Officials are billing it as some sort of water and snow park, and it’ll be located across from the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Apparently it’s just the first piece in a number of new entertainment offerings coming to the area as the city looks to get families and other visitors to stick around and spend a little cash.

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Movie Set Travel / Music Travel / Nashville Travel / Movie Travel / → All Tags

Where to Listen to a Little 'Country Strong' Music in Nashville

Even though there have been plenty of movies about country music, most of them never shot one scene in Nashville. But Country Strong, in theaters today, was not only filmed in Nashville, it also features local musicians who recorded most of the soundtrack on Nashville's famous Music Row.

The movie, which stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Tim McGraw, Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester, and Garrett Hedlund, is about an aging country singer (Paltrow) trying to rebound in her career and marriage. But it was McGraw who pushed for the movie to be shot in Nashville, while producers originally planned on filming in Austin. “I think Nashville played an important part. Nashville is a character unto itself," McGraw said. "There’s such a vibe in this city, and I think the soul of the city is country music, and if we didn’t have that sort of intangible thing there that sort of lingers on film … it would have been just one more obstacle.”

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Celeb Travel / Music Travel / Natural Disaters / Nashville Travel / → All Tags

Kenny Chesney, Vince Gill and Kellie Pickler Rally For Flood Help in Tennessee

Yesterday, Kenny Chesney tweeted a photo of himself submerged knee-deep in water, proof that even celebrities aren't immune to natural disasters.

Kenny's house was among those flooded in Nashville after record rain caused the Cumberland River to rise more than ten feet above flood stage. Kenny was scheduled to appear on Anderson Cooper 360 last night to discuss the flooding and let people know what they can do to help.

Along with the photo, he also tweeted, "Sending Anderson Cooper footage of my house under water for tonight. TN is a mess."

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Movie Set Travel / Music Travel / Nashville Travel / Movie Travel / → All Tags

How You Can Be In Tim McGraw & Gwyneth Paltrow's New Movie

If you've ever wanted to appear in a movie but can't be bothered with getting an agent or a headshot, tomorrow you'll have your chance. On Feb. 2, 2500 extras will be needed in Nashville, TN for a pivotal concert scene. The footage will be included in the movie, Love Don’t Let Me Down, in which Gwyneth Paltrow plays a struggling country singer managed by Tim McGraw.

Anyone who wants to participate in the shoot will be admitted to Municipal Auditorium, 417 Fourth Ave N, on a first-come, first-served basis and must be at least 18 years old. A free shuttle will take extras from Lot R at LP Field to Municipal Auditorium, where doors open at 4 p.m. Extras should be able to stay until 11 p.m.

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Celeb Travel / Jewel / Brad Paisley / BNA / → All Tags

Security Theater: Jewel's (Not) Hilarious Nashville Airport Prank

Stars: They're not like us! Singer Jewel played a prank on tour buddy Brad Paisley which consisted of him being arrested at Nashville International Airport.

After they played their last tour date together in Selma, Texas, the Alaskan former folkie arranged for two rent-a-cops to "arrest" Paisley at the gate when he returned to Nashville, handcuffing him and shoving him into an unmarked car. It was there Paisley learned it was a joke as he was cited for excessive "noodling" on the guitar.

This gives an entire new meaning to the term "security theater." Creating a realistic-looking arrest at a gate within view of other passengers and hiring people to impersonate TSA agents and cops? Totally OK. Making a joke going through security? Years in prison.

Related Stories:
· Jewel Punks Brad Paisley [KWTX]
· UFO over Stephenville, Texas Looking For Jewel And Tasty BBQ [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Celebitchy]

Possible Presidents Travel / Possible-Presidents-Map / Barack Obama / John McCain / Joe Biden / Sarah Palin / → All Tags

Possible Presidents Travel: Now Leaving Nashville, Y'All Come Back Now, Hear?

Last night, John McCain warmly greeted members of the audience but appeared to blank on opponent Barack Obama's name, calling him "that one." He's going to have to do better that that with swing state voters on the road today!

For now, it's time to leave Nashville, the scene of last night's debate, and head to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania with vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin for a rally at Lehigh University. There aren't any tickets left, but you can always try your luck with a student ID and try to sneak in. After that, they're off to north central Ohio for a rally in Strongsville, the self-proclaimed "Crossroads of the Nation."

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Possible-Presidents-Map / John McCain / Barack Obama / Sarah Palin / Joe Biden / → All Tags

Possible Presidents Travel: Everybody Gets a Label

Joe Six Packs and soccer moms turned out en masse to see Barack Obama in Columbus, Ohio this weekend with special guest Bruce Springsteen. The Boss recently made a very special donation to the Obama campaign: Along with his co-headlining a benefit in New York City with Billy Joel, a group of very special campaign volunteers got free tickets to a Saturday show in Philadelphia.

But with the second presidential debate coming up Tuesday, he's off preparing until tomorrow night's bout at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. While he crams, Michelle Obama will be meeting and greeting the populace tomorrow in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

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Theme Parks / Amusement Parks / Religious Travel / → All Tags

Theme Parks Travel: Pack Up the Kids... And the Bible

Attention fans of Tennessee and Christianity: Rumor has it that developers are close to deciding on the specific location for a Bible-inspired theme park in the state. A spokesman for the Entertainment Development Group wouldn't discuss any specifics regarding the park this week, but stated that the company was close to making an announcement.

The Nashville-area theme park has been in the works for more than a year, but with the new development group taking over, some believe that it's this is close to becoming a reality.

The people behind the park plan to have attractions based on biblical history and archeology but won't take an ideological stance on the Bible. Of course, residents are a little apprehensive: Many don't want the traffic and congestion associated with a theme park so close to their homes.

Related Stories:
· Bible Park Site Selection Expected Very Soon [The Tennessean]
· Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of a Bible-based park in Argentina: blmurch]

Missed Connections / Bonnaroo / Restaurants / Bars / → All Tags

Missed Connections in Nashville: Bonnaroo Deprogramming Edition

So picture it: You're off to Bonnaroo this weekend--or maybe you're already there in which case we say get off your smartphone!--and you are so very excited. You love the open air, the trees, even the bugs...

But by Sunday, you'll need to get to civilization ASAP. We hear you. We want to help you find a fellow human who does not smell of Eau de Camping. Hit up these hot spots in nearby Nashville:

The Red Door Saloon :: At this local micro beer garden, pick up local pale ales and cute cigarette bums. 1816 Division St.

Beyond the Edge :: Feed the jukebox and talk tattoos at this bar and restaurant. 112 South 11th St.

Bricktop's :: All the waiters are cute and all the classic dinners, like prime rib, are delicious at this mini-chain. 3000 West End Ave.

Related Stories:
· Missed Connections coverage [Jaunted]
· Nashville Hotels [HC]

[Photo of Love Circle in Nashville: mostlymaple]

TV Premiere Travel / TV Travel / Television Travel / → All Tags

TV Travel Update: No Love For "Nashville"

We feel strangely guilty about this: After just two episodes, Fox has pulled its "scripted reality" series "Nashville" from the fall television schedule, making it officially the first show canceled this season. Even the daughter of NFL great Terry Bradshaw couldn't save the show from its low ratings and critical beating. (It certainly didn't help that it was on at 9 pm on Fridays.)

Guess there'll be a few more seats open at the honky-tonks we mentioned when we covered the show. Meanwhile, the cop drama "K-Ville," which we also covered, will encore in that slot. Does this mean New Orleans is twice as cool as Nashville?

Related Stories:
· Nashville's the First Cancellation of the Season [Ugo]
· TV Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· TV Premiere Map [Jaunted]

[Photo: Boston.com]

TV Premiere Travel / TV-Premiere-Map / → All Tags

Television Premiere Travel: Nashville Hits The Honky-Tonks

Coming this fall: Jaunted gets the dirt on your favorite shows and the cities where they take place. Put down your remote and pick up your keyboard, because after tuning in to these series premieres, we'll have all the dish.

When we first heard about FOX's new show Nashville we thought, "Finally, someone is taking Robert Altman's classic to the small screen!" Well, not exactly. But they both share a setting Fox is calling "the biggest small town in America" and a penchant for country music.

The new "Nashville," which premieres this Friday at 9PM (and is already online), is a high-gloss reality show in the style of MTV's "Laguna Beach," following singers and music-industry cogs in the home of the Grand Old Opry, where we bet at least one of the hopefuls will be spotted over the course of the season.

Where else do these would-be Johnny Cashes and Dolly Partons hang out? Well, at least one of them, singer hopeful Rachel Bradshaw (daughter of Terry), is attending Belmont University and is probably exploring the nightlife there. Since another "character" wrote the country-music hit "Honky-Tonk Badonkadonk," we'll probably see him in one of Nashville's joints like Tootsie's Orchid Lounge or Robert's Western World getting inspiration for his next big hit. No holing up in the studio for these glamorous country-popsters.

Go straight to the TV Premiere Map

Related Stories:
· Tootsie's Orchid Lounge [Official Site]
· Robert's Western World [Official Site]
· Nashville Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Fox]

R2D2-Mailbox-Map / Cult Travel / → All Tags

R2D2 Mailbox Map: Droid Beeps Are The Nashville Sound

Contribute your R2D2 mailbox locations by uploading your photo, with mailbox address to the Jaunted Flickr Photo Pool, or sending us the photo and street address via email.

Jaunted tipster Tina found this mailbox on Broadway in Nashville Tennessee.

The pic, of course, is Tina doing her best "Help me Obi Wan Kanobi, you're my only hope."

Go Straight To The R2D2 Mailbox Map

Related Stories:
· Star Wars Stamps Arrive [USPS]