Movie road trip: A cinematic site per state for all 50 states

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Tennessee: Country Strong

Nashville, Tennessee is the heart of country music. From the Grand Old Opry to the Bluebird Café, music legends have performed throughout these popular venues. For film fans, many of the famous theaters and landmarks have been featured. One movie example is Country Strong.

Starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Time McGraw, the country drama chronicles the struggles of a popular country singer. While achieving stardom was a dream, the success came at a price. Battling addition and self-doubt, the country singer couldn’t find peace with her music career. As the movie follows the couple’s music career, several Nashville landmarks are featured.

One music venue featured in Country Strong is The Stage. The Stage was where the characters sing “Friends in Low Places.” The Stage on Broadway is a popular music venue that never charges a cover. As you walk in, the original oil painting of The Highwaymen greets you. This painting was previously owned by Waylon Jennings.

Over the years, numerous famous country stars have played The Stage. From old school singers like Jo De Messna to current stars like Miranda Lambert, the performance venue is a Nashville favorite. With three floors of performing space, guests always have many options.

Another Nashville landmark featured in Country Strong was the Fontanel Mansion. This home was built for country music legend, Barbara Mandrell and her family. Today, Fontanel Mansion is a tourist attraction.

Over the years, the Fontanel Mansion expanded beyond the famous home. Today, the area has a bed and breakfast, theater, winery, and zipline. Tours of the home should be purchased in advance, since the tours can sell out. For more information, please visit the Fontanel Mansion website.