By Penny Stell
Special to the Herald

Music City, yes, Nashville. My husband and I recently went with friends for a short four-day trip. We had heard so much about the city. Even if you do not like country music, there is a lot to like about the city. We found Nashville to be so so friendly. It’s a city that offers everyone at any age something to do. Definitely a bucket list for everyone. If you like music, are a foodie, like country, a laid-back lifestyle, wonderful architecture and History, you will love this town. We went to celebrate my hubby’s 70th and came back with so much more.
This entire city is centered around music, hence Music City. It’s not just country but blues, rock, hip hop, classical and more. A True Music City. Everywhere we went we learned so much more about the music industry, and why hundreds and hundreds of musicians move to Nashville every year.
We started our weekend with a Gourmet Food Tour in The Nashville, home to Sony Records and so many more. Our tour guide was a food critic and author, Jennifer Justus. Our tour was food, but all the food and great restaurants we went to were there because of the music.
We also visited the Core of Nashville, Downtown, Music Row. Each bar and restaurant we went to there were floors of music from 11 a.m. until whenever, and all types. Most musicians play for just tips, and the bars and restaurants are packed. The thing I found so interesting and resonated with me was how friendly the people were, how little Nashville really was and how much everyone loved music. Each and every one we talked to, told us how lucky they were to live, visit and play in a town that loved music. Even business owners and other tourists like us came for the music. Everyone said how music was so crucial to Nashville, and everything that was Nashville. Music crossed all language, cultural and economic barriers.
I could not help thinking about Benicia. We are a friendly town, and people in our town love living here. We have our slogan: “Benicia: a Great Day by the Bay.” We want tourists to come and visit our little haven.
Then I started to think about all the music we have in town each and every week. All types, something for everyone. Then I started to think about what is going on with our musical scene here in town, and the struggle we are going through with the noise ordinance. I know there is a lot to consider, but I kept coming back to how much everyone in Nashville rallied around the music.
I looked up music online. Here is what Google’s definition read:
“Vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony and expression of emotion.”
So says the dictionary. Wow, how lucky we are to have music here in Benicia.
I know a lot is going on in town with reference to music, but I think we need to look at how lucky we are to have so many places offering music weekly. This past weekend, we had six different places to go and enjoy all types of music. I certainly happy to have the opportunity to listen and enjoy music so often in Benicia, and vow to go and listen more.
Although we are not Nashville’s Music City, we have an opportunity to enjoy music and offer more music options to our citizens and tourists.

Penny Stell is a Benicia resident.

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