1

xNashville:
Grand Old Opry.
Country Music HOF.
Music Row.
xMemphis:
Sun Studio.
Graceland.
Beale Street.
Gibson Factory.
xNew Orleans:
Bourbon Street.
New Orleans Jazz NHS.

Well, you talked about flying between cities, so that's the "how to get there," except for the ranch, which will almost assuredly require a car.
You may consider a bus between xNashville and xMemphis, since they are fairly close.

Depending on how much time you have (you never say), you may also want to look into Clarksdale.

2

Sorry... looking to be away between 3 and 4 weeks. What order should I do them in do you think? There are some great suggestions for music there... Thanks for your help. I will look at Clarksdale too. Looking to go April or May.

3

I'd add to bjookaj's excellent list some stops in Texas near Bandera (hour or two drive):

San Antonio: The River Walk, The Alamo, TexMex food.

Austin: Music music and more music, Barton Springs, Texas swing dancing at the Continental Club or Oasis, Texas Bar-b-que, 6th Street.

4

What time of year is this going to take place?

What city will you be flying into the USA to, and possibly out of a different city to get back home?

You may find it easy to use Oneway flights between Nashville and New Orleans on Southwest Airlines, as well as from New Orleans to Texas, though Delta/United may be a good options too. I would bus between Nashville and Memphis as well, and if you want, you can Amtrak Train from Memphis to New Orleans.

Austin is a great town to enjoy, but overall, Texas cities are sprawling urban and suburban areas best conquered by a car rental.

Bandera TX is 45 miles from San Antonio, not sure they have transport to Bandera, need to ask the dude ranch.

Let me add that I find some the best parts of south lie around Charleston South Carolina, Asheville North Carolina and the Appalachians and Blue Grass country. This area can be accesses from Wash DC area and drive a loop. You also have the Smokey Mountain National Park too. Great hiking and outdoors there.

Bolt Bus, Mega Bus and Greyhound are some the main busses plying the Midsouth region.

5

I posted this previously:

Check out our musical heritage:

*Zydeco--*the birthplace of Zydeco is Opelousas, Louisiana. This music was created by Black Creoles who used the French fiddle, German button accordion, washboard (rubboard) and French lyrics. It derived from "la la" French Creole music, Cajun music, Blues and R & B. The first true Zydeco recording was made in 1954 ("Paper in my Shoe"). It was popularized by Clifton Chenier who was known as the King of Zydeco. A popular Zydeco club is Slim's. In Lafayette there is the Acadia Village which portrays early French Acadian (Cajun) life.

*Jazz--*the birthplace of Jazz is New Orleans in the 1890s. It is considered to be the only truly America form of music. Buddy Bolton can be considered the father of Jazz. Other pioneers include Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong. Jazz involves improvisation, syncopation and a forceful rhythm. It developed out of Ragtime and derives from the Blues and call and response field hollers. Jazz can be heard at Preservation Hall and the House of Blues. New Orleans style Jazz can still be heard. There is also the Jazz National Historic Park. America's music grew up in Kansas City in the 1930s where it adopted a hard-swinging, bluesy, jumping style.

*Soul--*Memphis claims to be the birthplace of Soul because of the number of Soul musicians who recorded at Stax Studios (open to public). Stax Records started in 1957 and recorded Ottis Redding, Booker T and the MGs, Isaac Hays and Wilson Picket. Of course, Detroit (Motown sound) and Philadelphia can also claim this title. Mowtown Records was founded in in 1959 at the urging of Smoky Robinson. Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Jackson 5 and Gladys Night and the Pips are recorded there. There is the Mowtown Historical Museum.

*Blues--*Clarksdale, Mississippi claims to be the birthplace of the Blues. It is located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta where the Blues first developed. Musicians like the famous Robert Johnson, Freddie Spruell, Big Joe Williams Son House, Muddy Waters and Lead Belly were from or played in the region. There is the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale. There is the Blues Highway (US 61) which runs from Beale Street in Memphis to Merigold. However, the nearby Great River Road is more interesting and scenic. W.C. Handy has claimed the mantle of Father of the Blues. He was a blues composer and musician who landed in Beale Street in Memphis around 1903. Others who played on Beale Street included BB King, Muddy Waters and Louis Armstrong. Blues is one of the most important influences on the development of popular music in the U.S. It is characterized by microtonal pitch inflections and a 12-measure form.

*Rock 'n' Roll*--Memphis can claim to be the birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll because early rock 'n' rollers recorded in Sun Studios (open to public). Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded there. However, the exhibits at Sun Studios overemphasize Elvis Presley who recorded later. Cleveland can also claim to be the birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll because the first rock 'n' roll concert was held in the city. There is the outstanding Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

6

I decided to check both Greyhound and Amtrak. Neither go there.
You need a car, or for them to pick you up.

I think with 3-4 weeks you could extend your trip to the east, as #4 says.
However, I am reticent to suggest anything, as I'm not sure if you have 3-4 weeks for a trip from xNashville to "xTexas," or 3-4 weeks for your total trip, which is to include other places you haven't mentioned.

It depends on what time of year you visit, and if you're visiting other places not mentioned as well.
You should do them in either this (rough) order or the reverse. (The order of the xTexas cities doesn't really matter. Decide based on schedules and transit prices.)

Oh, I had forgotten about Stax Records, also in xMemphis.

7

Texas is very hot and humid in the summer, so it would probably be best to visit the dude ranch in April. Find out what month they round up the cattle and brand the calves, if that is included on their itinerary. Many Texans, who can afford to, spend their entire summers in the Rocky Mountains of New Mexico and Colorado, escaping the summer hot spells.

8

Thanks so much for all your help it is really appreciated.
I am planning on April / May so the weather shouldnt be too brutal!

I have a lot of research to do but know where to come if I have any other questions!

Any other advice not previously mentioned will always be welcome!

Thanks again. X