Trips to Nashville have regularly eluded me. I’ve talked about going frequently, I’ve been invited on trips (most recently to watch a friend compete for the coveted title of Fortune Magazine’s Best Corporate Cover Band), but I’ve never managed to get there.

Undeniably rich in history, Nashville’s home to significant sites of both Civil War and Civil Rights movement. But, it’s music that really beats the town’s cultural drum. There’s no denying the pull of the Grand Old Opry the legacy of Country Western in the town. Nashville is unique, as it has its own sound, but simultaneously supremely American. The tunes that emanate from Nashville are called by some “America’s Music.” Oddly enough, the America propagated by Nashville often seems foreign.

For that reason, Nashville is one of those American places that requires a visit. In preparation for some future travel, I reached out to Nashville native Brandon Capps. When not drinkin’ and dronin’, Capps can be found at Billy Reid’s New York flagship. He’s a man of great taste, loves his bourbon, and has great affinity for Southern fun.

His picks for a weekend at home follow, but first a brief Q&A about Nashville, Tennessee.

Memphis has bbq and soul music. How can Nashville possibly compete? 

First, let's hit on the food -  I love Memphis BBQ (although dry rub will always win in my eyes, sorry M-Town), The Meat & 3 plates have always been a Nashville thing. Also, don't forget the biscuits, fried chicken, and catfish.

Now onto the music, a huge part of what I listen to revolves around Blues, but Country Western music will always have a place in Nashville and my heart. Blues have had a huge impact on a couple of locations ranging from Memphis, Chicago, Louisiana, and major parts of Missip. However, Nashville is the only home to Country Western music.

To close this statement. I will add my favorite line from the motion picture film, 'Nashville' - "This is Nashville, cut your hair!"

What are some common misconceptions about the Country Music industry you'd like to dispel? 

Honestly, it's a great legacy that lasted many decades and unfortunately took a turn for the worse in the 80's when Music Row was suffering quite a bit. That's when pop music took ahold of the beautiful Traditional Country Music. The Hank Williams', George Jones', Loretta Lynn's, David Allen Coe's and Lefty Frizell's of yesterday took a back seat to what's on most modern country stations these days. The days of Honky Tonkin', booze swillin', pill poppin', women chasin', and sailor mouthed artists is gone forever, but the music still lasts.

This has nothing to do with Nashville - please share a humorous anecdote about Dollywood. 

Well, I don't know much about Dollywood, never been, but I've been to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg many a time. My girlfriend, whom is from New York City, is close to obsessed with Dolly and I was planning a trip to Dollywood during last Christmas, but shit...it's near 100 dollars for just one pass around Christmas. That's a lot of Dolly, and no swooping roller coasters!

Two rappers of note come from Nashville - Young Buck and Haystack - which best represents what the city is all about? 

Both have some truth to what they talk about in terms of what the city is about. There's the lit up Music Row and Broadway with the typical Nashville demeanor, but then there's the insane statistics on assault and vice crimes too. 

Haystak, for the most part, is kind of the goofy, redneck rapper around Nashville ever since I can remember. As far as street cred and overall success...Young Buck is certainly on top. He's from East Nashville, and certainly grew up in a part of Nashville that's still pretty rough, but even more so then. No idea what either are doing these days, but more than likely the same thing they did 5 years before.

In the song "Party in the USA," Ms. Cyrus says something to the effect of "this sure ain't a Nashville party" in reference to proper attire. What is the correct look for a Nashville party? 

Before reading this, I had someone else mention the song the other day. I have never heard the song, nor seen the video so I knocked two out with one video from YouTube. I got to the line about Nashville, and came to the conclusion she's comparing Nashville Cowboy Boots to Stiletto's in some place like Los Angeles I'm assuming. Apparently, L.A. is pretty stylish from what I gather from the song. Maybe I'm alone on this, but I thought L.A. is largely the bottom of the totem pole on style? Either way, I don't think I really have to go into much on this question, but to leave you with a question. If you had a choice what to wear on the day you meet your maker....

Would you rather have a 10 gallon Stetson on your head, a pearl snap Wrangler shirt, a turquoise bolo tie, ass kicking steel toed cowboy boots, beat up Wrangler jeans, and topped off with a custom Nudie jacket 

OR

Would you rather have bedazzled Ed Hardy t-shirt, ripped up True Religion jeans, orange tan, and an assortment of other terrible flashy, no history having brands across your body?

Which do you think you'd enter the pearly gates wearing?

Finally, on what eve was Nashville founded? 

I may be wrong on this since it's been awhile since my Tennessee History class, but I want to say it was either Christmas Ever or New Years eve? I know James Robertson had a hand to play in it either way!