Sometimes life takes you in the strangest directions. We live in the moment and then that sudden miniscule change of plans keeps its momentum and you find yourself sitting by the stage at a distillery listening to great music and meeting the friendliest people.

 

Tennessee has always been on the bucket list. How can the smoky mountains not be? All of the hiking trails, waterfalls, and hospitality. I never really understood how you don't consider nature when going to see that gorgeous state.

The beauty is all around. We spent hours just looking at the mountains from rocking chairs, and if you live in TN you have a rocking chair, at least that's what I was told. We saw them at every stop we went to and used them almost at every one. 

In Gatlinburg, we rode horses, walked the skybridge, attended a parade, and went and hung out with great friends. We also met some crazy new ones.

We didn't know that Gatlinburg had the first 4th of July parade of the year (at midnight) until we were standing on the skybridge waiting for the crowd to clear and overheard about it.



A quick Google search told us we were eating a late dinner in town. 

That late dinner took us to a restaurant that just happened to have the DJ who was hosting the parade on the balcony, a quick meet and a simple question got us out onto the balcony in front of the main crowd and me learning what it means to host a larger parade. Unfortunately our dead phones didn't allow for photos. It was,  however, something I will always remember.

 

During that time we met our new friend Fish Fisher, and we decided to listen to some live music the next day at Sugarland distillery since he mentioned that's where he would be. That led to my introduction to Emi Sunshine, and those are my favorite ways to find new (to me) artists.

 

 Listening to her Americana style music made the entire trip for me. The passion she had singing, the love that her fan club showed her, her stage presence astounded me for someone her age.

 

 She's a teenager who's parents have allowed to follow her dreams since she was 9 yrs old. Nurturing aspirations,believing that all things are possible. She has been given the best opportunity to succeed in her chosen path. The talent is astounding to me as well.

 

 You never know where a little southern hospitality will lead you. Don't be afraid of people or you may miss out on an unexpected adventure.

Checkout www.emisunshine.com
And www.fishfisher.net