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Firstly this podcast is about music and specifically the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Bristol Virginia earned that title way back in 1927. Learn more in Birthplace-Of-Country-Music-Museum-Bob Davis Podcast 1134
Secondly we’ll walk and talk through the Birthplace Of Country Music Museum.
Most importantly much of the museum is musical and historical.
And it is focused primarily on audio.
So those sounds are featured in this podcast.
Equally important is the fact that the so called Bristol Sessions had an impact far greater than anyone could have predicted in 1927
Thirdly my listeners know I like to roll through places rather than stop. But I made an exception for this. Above all this Smithsonian museum in Bristol is a gem.
Another key point is how this music made its way to these hills.
And the songs go back to the Lowlands of Scotland, Wales and England.
Significantly Bristol was booming back in 1927
It was unquestionably a very active town of railroads, new industry, agriculture, retail commerce and logging.
Scholars call the Bristol Sessions analogous to the Big Bang.
Accordingly Johnny Cash called the Bristol sessions the single most important event in the history of country music.
With this mind this subject resonates with me because music, history, and radio are brought together here.
From the Carter family with their photographic memories and in effect revolutionary style of playing..
To the already reigning stars of the genre in 1927 such as Earnest Stoneman.
Of course by 1927 The Big Barn Dance was already on WLS from Chicago…
And the Grand Old Opry on WSM aired regularly on WSM in Nashville.
Therefore a brand new radio and record industry were just beginning to change American Culture forever.
Finally the small towns have become cities the enclaves have become suburbs.
But every now and then the traveler can still see places that people back in 1927 might have called home.
Up to the present time the best place to see it is The Crooked Highway.
That is to say Highway 58 Virginia which takes the traveler to Bristol, Virginia…
But, we’re all lucky they made the trip in 1927.
Sponsored by 36LYN The Independently Owned and Operated Refueling Station and Convenience Store
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Are unhappy #Vanlifers really doing it wrong? A recent Wall Street Journal post about the hash tag Van Life again points out the obvious. Details in Unhappy-#Vanlifers-Doing-It-Wrong-Bob Davis Podcast 1133.
Firstly I have rarely seen positive coverage of the nomad experience.
Secondly the recent Wall Street Journal piece reports on a few #vanlife people complain about how hard the life is.
And say Instagram has it all wrong.
As a result I’ll ask again whether anyone actually believes anything they see on social media?
Of course we put our best foot forward.
Or show our best face to the world.
In other words analogous to cleaning your house before guests arrive.
But there’s more.
Because the article in question illustrates a number of negative experiences for the vanlifers interviewed.
For example, no place to sleep.
And not being able to take showers.
Or being lonely because the dating life out here sucks.
Finally the unexpected costs of mechanical problems and fuel.
As I have said many times in many different podcasts…
In general life is not always a bowl of cherries.
In fact part of the experience in #nomadlife is overcoming setbacks and solving problems.
To sum up the article on a positive note all of the van life people interviewed said they won’t quit.
All in all I believe there’s great potential in nomad life.
And as I have noted as the infrastructure for digital nomads gets better…
In time more may choose this lifestyle.
However I don’t think the establishment back home or the establishment media will give our lifestyle a break.
Presently reporters and editors seem to love the idea that social media is ‘lying’ about living on the road.
In essence don’t dream of a different life.
It’s too dangerous.
Meanwhile keep paying ridiculous amount of rent and commuting four hours a day.
By and large living in huge expensive cities and stepping over homeless people to get to the subway.
Of course doing a digital job and being required to work in an office…
When even in the present time you can work from anywhere.
Just in case you’re thinking about buying a van and dumping your absurdly expensive efficiency in said large city…
Take a look at these poor idiots in this Wall Street Journal story without delay.
After that you’ll accept your life as it is.
In reality over time nomad life can be easy and satisfying.
Of course there is a lot to learn.
But if you can do it and you want to try.
Go for it.
Sponsored by 36 LYN The Independently Owned And Operated Refueling Station
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Most importantly it’s still winter in the North. Perfect for a dose of summer sounds. So, put your headphones on and prepare to be immersed in summer in Summer-Sounds-2024-Bob Davis Podcast 1132.
Equally important is the fact that I do these summer sounds podcasts every year.
Accordingly I only talk at the beginning and end of Summer-Sounds-2024-Bob Davis Podcast 1132.
As a result you can sit back and be completely immersed in summer.
And if you need a thought starter…
Imagine an undeniably weather beaten cabin on a bluff overlooking a golden lake.
In the same fashion you can almost feel the breeze through the ancient screens…
In like manner the boats on the lake.
At length as the sun slowly sets across the lake song of the summer bugs rises to greet you.
Meanwhile you can drift off with summer washing over you.
While snow falls outside your window…
You are transported to high summer.
From time to time while producing this podcast I found myself feeling better and better.
Firstly there are a few disclaimers.
As has been noted I have posted several summer sounds podcasts through the years.
By and large these podcasts have been a whole summer encapsulated.
For example the sounds of kids at the pool…
Even thunderstorms
And of course the Fourth Of July Fireworks.
But this time I decided to go with smooth ambient sound.
For this reason there are no sharp sounds to wake the listener from their reverie.
We all know that in reality in the far North winter has some time to run.
Even more Spring can sometimes be even more trying.
Having Summer-Sounds-2024-Bob Davis Podcast 1132 at hand can make a big difference in mental health up North this time of year.
In due time summer will be here.
Or you can have it right now.
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Handling mechanical problems on the road is a challenge for anyone. Especially nomads. Details in Handling-Mechanical-Problems-On-Road-Bob Davis Podcast 1131.
Firstly this isn’t my first rodeo.
Above all I have been traveling for about ten years in my current rig.
So I have had a few problems to deal with.
However as a full time nomad it’s a bigger problem.
Not to mention the fact that the rig is also my house.
This is important to make clear when the mechanic says, when do you want to pick it up?
In addition when it happens don’t freak out.
Although emotions are not always easy to overcome in an emergency you have to feel it and move to problem solving.
Accordingly I was on my way to Padre Island National Seashore.
To explain I I was having a great day thinking about where I was going to camp.
All of a sudden I looked down at Mobile Podcast Command’s volt meter.
To begin with the meter was reading lower than what it should have.
And it was sinking.
Because this had happened before I knew what to do.
I had to find somewhere to address the problem without delay.
Firstly I found an auto repair shop within a mile.
In this situation it’s important to realize you have to take what you get.
Secondly I lucked into finding a great bunch of guys to help.
Most importantly I tell that story in Handling-Mechanical-Problems-On-Road-Bob Davis Podcast 1131.
In the long run I learned I needed two alternators.
All things considered another lesson.
It’s going to cost you money and you have to be prepared for that.
However this was also an occasion to stop and realize there are always opportunities for sublime experiences.
In brief an opportunity to earn how other people work and what they do.
As well as having an experience you didn’t plan on.
That’s life on the road.
And I suppose life in general.
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Time to check the maps and do some planning for my Arizona to Florida 2024 adventure. And some stories too. Details in Maps-Planning-Arizona-Florida-2024-Bob Davis Podcast 1129.
Firstly it’s been a minute since I was on the roads.
Secondly it sure feels good to be preparing for a 2500 mile road trip from Quartzsite Arizona to Sarasota Florida.
As a matter of fact I have been stopped down here in the desert since October of 2023.
So I am ready to hit the road.
To say nothing of the power of the back roads.
With this purpose in mind I’ll share the types of maps I use complete with the sound of turning pages.
In addition I’ll share some of the improvements to mobile podcast command.
Furthermore we’ll also discuss travel plans for this trip.
And how to navigate the back roads on the fly to get where you want to be and save fuel.
In view of the main objective and the distance to be traveled…
I don’t need to point out there are many different options available.
First thing to remember is the type of maps.
In fact I started out with a Rand McNally road atlas.
But recently graduated to Benchmark Maps.
All things considered the Benchmark maps are very useful for navigating the back roads anywhere in the west.
Above all I like to talk about some of the places I’ve seen and roads I have traveled.
Maps-Planning-Arizona-Florida-2024-Bob Davis Podcast 1129 is a great opportunity to talk about these subjects.
Certainly staying off the Interstates is a learned skill.
If you are plying the back roads then you know it takes a lot of practice to make sure you end up where you want to.
As I have shown the nomad ends up navigating on the fly in almost all these situations.
To that end when it works it’s a joy.
However when it doesn’t then let’s just say it’s a learning experience.
Finally it’s great to be back on the road and moving again.
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