Brent Porche's Nashville Adventures [GALLERY]

Aug 09, 2023

Afternoons 3PM - 7PM

A few buddies and I ventured out on a road trip to Nashville last week. It was a total blast, and I took some great Nashville photos.

First stop on our trip, was to “Thunder Valley” and Bristol Motor Speedway, home of NASCAR’s legendary half-mile race track. The venue itself was closed, but it was so cool to visit the grounds of “The Last Great Colosseum.”

On Friday night, we went to the Ascend Amphitheater. It looks like Nashville’s version of the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion. We saw our friends in Candlebox & 3 Doors Down. Brad Arnold and the boys of 3DD headlined the evening, part of their ‘Away From The Sun 20th Anniversary Tour,’ playing their 2002 sophomore album Away From The Sun in its entirety.

Candlebox kicked off the evening was a super high-energy, hits-packed set. Kevin Martin & Candlebox are set to released their eighth and “final” album The Long Goodbye this Friday, August 25th via Pavement Music.

It was great getting some hangtime with my dear friend and Candlebox lead guitarist Brian Quinn. You know BQ from Philly bands Octane and Fosterchild. He has been with Candlebox since 2015. He has recorded the last three studio albums with them, including their album, The Long Goodbye, set for release this Friday.

The local music scene in Nashville out of this world! Every musician, singer, and artist in the area is extremely talented! Of the bands I caught, Lydia Brittan & The Holy Family and The Lewellen Degenerates.

On the way home, we had to make a stop at the massive Buc-ee’s country store and gas station. I have only ever seen a Buc-ee’s on Tik Tok until now. It’s a gas station the size of a Costco! Besides gasoline, food and drink, the company also offers a variety of general and regional-based souvenirs including apparel and artwork. The chain carries its own clothing brand, ranging from t-shirts to hats, pants, plushies, swimwear, and blankets. Stores also carry general kitchen goods, including cast iron skillets, food containers, mugs, glassware, cookbooks, and coolers, among others.

Bristol is a "bucket list" track for me to see an official NASCAR race at. Happy I got to see the massive track firsthand!

More of the cool sights on the grounds of "Thunder Valley". NASCAR returns to Bristol September 14th-16th.

I made a brief detour to "Thunder Valley" and the legendary Bristol Motor Speedway to check out their NASCAR track.

One of the coolest venues I have ever been to in regard to aesthetics and sightlines. Very similar to the FM Center in Camden, minus a roof over the pavilion seating.

Bristol Motor Speedway holds close to 150,000 race fans per race.

Kevin Martin & Brian Quinn of Candlebox performing live at the Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville.

Candlebox rocked the house at the Ascend Amphitheatre in Nashville supporting 3 Doors Down on their North American tour 2023.

Brian Quinn of Candlebox rocking the stage in Nashville, Tennessee on their 30th anniversary tour.

The energy from the Candlebox guys was through the roof! Good thing the Ascend Amphiteater doesn't have a roof!

Candlebox is set to release their final album 'The Long Goodbye' - due out this Friday 8/25!

It was great to catch up with my good friend Brian Quinn, lead guitarist of Candlebox. Check out Brian's previous work with the bands Octane & Fosterchild!

Rumor has it, that Octane is trying to get together for a show or two before the end of the year. Quinny is out on the road with Candlebox for 6 more weeks yet.

3DD lead guitarist Chet Roberts joined Candlebox on stage for ripping rendition of 'Far Behind."

The Ascend Amphitheater is located right near the outskirts of downtown Nashville. The beautiful skyline is the backdrop.

3 Doors Down continues to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of their sophomore album 'Away From The Sun' featuring smash hits, "When I'm Gone" & "Here Without You."

Brad & the boys of 3 Doors Down are currently celebrating the 20th Anniversary of their sophomore album 'Away From The Sun' - playing the album in its entirety.

Another cool shot of the city skyline at the Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville, Tennessee with 3 Doors Down on stage.

GO. CHECK. THIS. BAND. OUT. @LydiaBrittan and LydiaBrittan.com

I was absolutely blown away by this band! A real cool mix of 60's & 70's soul, jazz and jammy psychedelia.

These guys and gals were so great live, we went and saw them perform the very next night at the Black Rabbit Club in Nashville.

Almost every bar on the main drag of Broadway has a rooftop deck with amazing views of the city.

The legendary Sutton Brothers playing all sorts of old school country and bluegrass.

Watch your step & drink it in man - you're in Nashville!

EVERYWHERE has live music ALL the time in Nashville. This performance, captured at Food Assembly Hall, features Delco's own Sara Spicer and Nick McGrath covering Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man."

Opened in 1892, The Ryman Auditorium stage has seen every legendary performer grace their stage in their over 130 year history - including Shinedown!

Voted the #1 Music Museum, the Johnny Cash & Patsy Cline Museum is a must visit while you are in town.

There are a bunch of really cool, quaint bars and clubs down this alley way in Nashville that feature a ton of extremely talented musicians and artists.

Love this place! I was here last time I visited Nashville, and there is ALWAYS great live music at the Boogie Bar!

One of the cool underground pubs in the Printer's Alley section of Nashville

The @lewellendegenerates performing live at another really cool venue in Nashville, "Bowies". Such cool decor in there!

Live music pours out into the streets of Nashville all day, every day! Every last one of them even more talented than the next.

Most of the bars and clubs on Broadway in Nashville, including Kid Rock's place, feature 4-5 floors of bars and live music.

We checked out Barstool Nashville's joint for a quick beverage and some more live music.

Buc-ee's is a chain and one of the biggest country stores and gas stations I have ever seen! It's like a Costco sized gas station.

Besides food and drink, Buc'ee's also offers a variety of general and regional-based souvenirs, including apparel and artwork. The chain carries its own clothing brand, ranging from t-shirts to hats, pants, plushies, swimwear, and blankets. Stores also carry general kitchen goods, including cast iron skillets, food containers, mugs, glassware, cookbooks, coolers, and thermoses, among others.