2 days prior, I was on an Hawaiian island. Now, I am in Nashville filming in NF’s music video, which got 25 million views, as of May 2024. Let’s explore what the Music City has to offer: live music on Broadway Street, southern BBQ, and stroll around The Parthenon.
📅 Trip Dates: February 25-28, 2023
January 25th, 2023, I booked my flight to Nashville.
February 8th, 2023: While I was in Hawaii, I got an email from NF’s mailing list that he would be filming a music video…the same weekend I booked my trip. A WOW God moment for sure.
Where to Stay Near Downtown Nashville
My Airbnb
📍 1620 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212 ✘ Sonder at Village 21 | Studio
For my 3-day solo trip to Nashville, my housing constraints were: a safe area, walkable to nearby food and shops, and central to Downtown Nashville and BNA airport (Nashville International Airport). I found an Airbnb that was in the heart of Vanderbilt University, a 38 minute walk to Broadway St., and a 15 minute Lyft to and from BNA. I loved the Airbnb I stayed at! It was in a safe area—lots of college students from Vanderbilt University—and the apartment was beautiful! Very spacious and updated appliances, the aesthetic passed the OG check.
Day 1: Saturday, February 25th
En Route: RDU -> BNA
📍 RDU ✘ North Carolina
En route to Nashville!! My sweet, loving roommates at the time, Shannon and Lara, shuttled me off to the airport! It was a super quick flight ~1.3hrs. Thankful for safe travels! I love flying, so it was so fun hopping from plane to plane, trip to trip!
Dinner @ Taco Mama
📍 Taco Mama ✘ Hillsboro Village – 21st St.
Grabbed Taco Mama for dinner, which was walkable from 21st St. of my apartment. Tons of Vanderbilt students were there. I got the steak burrito bowl and it was absolutely fire. Shout-out to Fardeen—a Computer Science student at Vandy—who I struck up a conversation with in line. And, Will—at the table right next to Fardeen and I—for letting me join your Downtown Nashville adventures!
Broadway Street
✘ Downtown Nashville
Downtown Nashville!! Broadway street! I was able to hang with my new Vandy friends I met at Taco Mama: Will + crew. I was the only girl—per usual lol. Broadway street was definitely something I have never experienced before. It was SO cool hearing all of the live music. However, the nightlife was definitely not my speed. I don’t like alcohol and I didn’t drink. I was able to appreciate the country music from the various artists and bands, however the nightlife was definitely way too much for my social, reserved/introverted self haha. I went to Miranda Lambert’s Casa Rosa, Luke’s 32 Bridge, and Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar.
Around midnight, I walked .5mi to catch a Lyft back to my Airbnb. This was not my favorite stroll honestly…it was sketch. But, I survived and was SO happy to get back to my warm and cozy Airbnb! At least now, I can say I experienced Broadway Street–that was my bucket list goal!
Day 2: Sunday, February 26th
Filming in NF’s Music Video Shoot for MOTTO
📍 Nashville Symphony Schermerhorn Symphony Center
NF music video shoot day for his new song, MOTTO, on his new album HOPE!!! Being on set took around 12 hours. I didn’t go to sleep until like 3am. But it was SO WORTH IT. I made friends on set, AND I even got invited to NF’s private video shoot the following day, which only had under 10 people including me. We had to sign an NDA for the entire music video process and had to turn in phones and smart watches for the entire day. Probably one of the coolest experiences I have done in fame haha.
I have been a fan of NF since my freshman year of college and I have been to 2 of his concerts prior to this experience. I got into running listening to NF and I studied for exams in college to his songs. He is my favorite artist in the world and this was simply a dream come true. Never would I have imagined. Spoiler: the next day I even got to talk to him 1:1 and got a fist bump!!! EPIC.
Day 3: Monday, February 27th
Belmont Mansion
📍 Belmont University
The Belmont Mansion was very cool! It was only a 14-minute walk from my Airbnb. I love walking around visiting historical sites whilst traveling.
Walk around Vanderbilt
📍 Vanderbilt University
Took a stroll around Vanderbilt University. It made me nostalgic being on a college campus again hehe. I ended up walking to The Parthenon and Centennial Park.
The Parthenon and Centennial Park
📍 Centennial Park
The Parthenon was on my bucket-list to check off while in Nashville!! In high school, I used to be obsessed with Greek and Roman history—Percy Jackson got me into reading lol. It’s so cool is that The Parthenon in Nashville is a full-scale replica of the original in Athens, Greece.
Dolly Parton’s White Limozeen Rooftop Restaurant
📍 Graduate Hotels Nashville
I walked to Downtown Nashville and took a quick pitstop to checkout what Dolly Parton’s White Limozeen Rooftop Restaurant was all about. The vibes of the hotel were super cool. There was even a coffeeshop inside!
Ryman Auditorium + Country Music Hall of Fame
📍 Broadway St. ✘ Downtown Nashville
I walked around Downtown Nashville. I went to Whole Foods hehe. Then I walked by the Ryman Auditorium and Country Music Hall of Fame.
Live Music + Best Ribs of My Life = Epic
📍 Rippy’s Honky Tonk ✘ Downtown Nashville
These were the best ribs of my life. Omg. This was my first time having ribs in 8 years…SLAY. They were SO good. And barbecue is my kryptonite. I got a half slab of ribs, turnip greens, and baked beans. I even requested “Whiskey Glasses” for the live music. How fun! I would totally come back to Rippy’s! It was right on Broadway St., so the experience was awesome.
Private NF Video Shoot Part 2
📍 The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts
At NF’s main video shoot, I was talking with his team and I helped them make the phone retrieval process more efficient because we had to turn in our devices for NDA purposes of the unreleased album, HOPE. In doing so, they invited me to NF’s private video shoot with under 10 extras including me. Kindness takes you far in life.
I went to Altard State 1 hour before I had to Lyft to The Fisher Center for NF’s private video shoot. Mission accomplished. I found a black dress. But, I ended up having to change lol, that’s being in a music video for ya—you roll with it. The video shoot ended up lasting from 7:00PM-3:00AM. My sleep schedule the last few days—oof! BUT, SO worth it. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Behind the scenes of filming a music video AND it being NF’s music video, simply unreal. I even got a fist bump from NF and I asked if he liked matcha HAHA because his wife, Bridget, who is a wellness queen, makes matcha all the time on her Instagram! I also met a food blogger and she really inspired to start pursuing my dreams of blogging, GAINS AND GLOW. Full circle, here we are!
An aside: fast-forward and today is February 13th, 2024 when I am writing this section on my lunch break in my downtown apartment listening to NF – MOTTO. God has been in control of my life and has given me opportunities, experiences, and adventures more than I could have ever dreamt of. So grateful.
Day 4: Tuesday, February 28th
Flight Home: BNA -> RDU
📍 Nashville Airport
Oh my! I had to include this screenshot. My LOVING roommates: Shannon + Lara really encouraged the start of GAINS AND GLOW. This text kinda gives me chills because here I am writing my blog, which is about to be released to the world!! THANK YOU Shannon and Lara for believing in me since day 1.
Nashville, 3 days of adventures with memories I’ll have for a lifetime. There’s even historical evidence on the internet in the form of a music video!
carpe diem,
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