Wednesday the 11th: Nashville, Tennessee
We had plenty to do here in Nashville to fill our two-day stay. Most of it was based around music but the highlight was two long visits to Hatch Show Print, one of America's oldest working letterpress shops.

First though, we took a quick tour of the town to get our bearings. Pretty interesting place that mixes old architecture with new...we much prefer the older as some of the new structures look a little out of place.

Then, Hatch Show Print.

Having both spent a few years working in VCU's letterpress studio in Richmond (and with Kevin running it for a couple of years), we were in awe of the work done by Hatch Show Print. Ever since we found out about their shop, it was pretty much a goal to visit the studio at some point.

In addition to the eye-popping work and studio space, the people were extremely nice and Jim Sherraden, the manager, curator, and chief designer was an incredible person to meet. Not only did he allow us to intimately tour the studio on our own, he took the time to discuss the place and his original prints with us. We loved it the moment we stepped through the door and have not stopped grinning since. We bought numerous pieces and have the purchase of an original monoprint by Jim pending for later this month. We're both very excited about it.

The studio is right in the center of downtown, with a large storefront and classic neon sign.

Inside, the studio is unreal. From the posters on the walls and work for sale to the various presses and woodblocks from the 20's, it's everything you could want in a letterpress studio.

Preparing a layout for print:

Striking a layout and producing the poster:

Hundreds of woodblocks and all kinds of type everywhere you looked...a true dream!

Below the walls of woodcuts are some of Jim's original monoprints...beautiful artwork. The piece we're looking to buy is similar to these.

The press logo:

Type cases:

Then it was on to see the Country Music Hall of Fame. The collection was outstanding even though we don't really follow country music, aside from some of the older bluegrass and appalachian styles. Posters by Hatch Show Print, which is now owned by the Country Music Foundation, were sprinkled throughout the exhibits. It was nice to see the work in the context of the museum as the press had, and still has, a great impact on promoting the country music coming out of Nashville.

One of Elvis' many cars. This one had a gold painted television in the back and the paint job had crushed diamonds and pearls mixed into it.

Full size RCA dog:

After the museum and a second visit to Hatch Show Print, we stopped in to hear some blasting country music in the Honky Tonk section of town. It's really just a block with various bars but most have quite a history in the country music scene. We visited Tootsies Orchid Lounge, where the walls are plastered with photos of country music stars who had visited.

With just enough time to spare, we made it to the Farmers Market before it closed and got into the fall spirit. We bought some of the heirloom tomatoes below...they're quite tasty.

Tomorrow, we'll be moving on to Knoxville to see some family and then on to the Carolinas...we're planning on arriving back in Baltimore on the 19th of this month if everything goes as planned. Sorry to the folks hoping to see Savannah and the Carolina coasts on our blog... it will have to wait until the next trip...