For Jose’s 13-year-old growing up trip, we went back to Nashville where the family had traveled just about 8 months before for the eclipse (which we didn’t get to see)! Jose loves music, so this trip was entirely music themed! We can’t wait to see the musician Jose becomes when he grows up. He’s so good already!

Day 1: Traveling to Nashville, Touring Around & Seeing Phil Vassar and Adam Rutledge in Concert

Jose and I got up real early to catch an early morning flight to Nashville!

When we arrived, we stopped into a few of the honky tonks and had cokes and listened to the bands!

Later, we checked into our Airbnb. Here’s a picture of the place we stayed. It wasn’t the best place, but it made do for our trip. We frequently had to use the hide-a-key on the back door because the app for the door didn’t work. The back alley creeped Jose out quite a bit at night!

This little place called the Bluebird Cafe was packed. Apparently they get a bunch of big name stars to stop by this little hole-in-the-wall, sometimes unannounced! Maybe one day Jose will be playing in the Bluebird Cafe!

Then we went to City Winery to see Phil Vassar. His opener was a country newcomer named Adam Rutledge, who was super nice to both Jose and me. Adam released his first country album later in the year.

At the end of the show, Adam Rutledge let us get this picture. He was super supportive of Jose’s musical goals!

And, Phil Vassar also let us get a picture even though we didn’t have back stage passes! He was super kind to Jose as well which was great.

Day 2: Touring around Nashville and Seeing Andy Grammer In Concert!

We started out the morning heading to a place we had heard was good from our Pastor, Mike Khandjian — Biscuit Love!

Then we toured around for a while (didn’t take any pictures though). But at lunch we went to get some Hot Chicken in Nashville. It was fantastic!

And then in the evening, Jose and I got to go to his first rock concert together — Andy Grammer performing live. It was an awesome show and it was super cool to be able to experience it together.

Day 3: Walking Around Nashville, Touring RCA Studio B, and Traveling Home

On the last day we toured around Nashville again. Jose noticed that this building (which I think is part of the Country Music Hall of Fame) is piano-themed.

And this building, known locally as “Batman” is always a way to figure out how to navigate downtown.

And finally, before we left, we got to tour Historic RCA Studio B. Studio B is where Elvis recorded a few hits and many other country western stars got their start. It was very cool to be in a place that had such tremendous history.

This was one of my favorite photos – perhaps prophetic? Jose pretending to play one of the famous pianos in Studio B where other country music singers had practiced. Maybe Jose will sing a new type of music but one day record in Studio B!

After we toured Studio B, we raced to the airport to catch our flight back to D.C. I didn’t get any pictures after that, but we also went to Pizza Hut for dinner before coming back home, because Jose wanted to make the most of the night!

And that’s a great 13-year-old birthday trip in the bag!