Author Nora Jane Struthers



Dear Friends,
They say “Dress for the job you want” and what I want is to play music on stage so whenever I go out, I put on a dress, just in case a position opens up.
Last night at the Special Consensus CD release party at The World Famous Station Inn, I got my first chance to play on the Station Inn stage with the fantastic bluegrass band, Special Consensus.  It was an honor, a pleasure, and a surprise!
I was so glad that I put on this sweet little nautical number.  The white strips along the bottom really pop from the stage and I even wore a leather belt with a leather buckle so as to not scratch Justin Carbone’s beautiful Collings guitar.  Fashion and function should always meet so easily.
Thanks for reading friends.
Sincerely,
Nora Jane
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I just bought this charming 1930’s chocolate-brown lace dress on Sunday and if there’s one thing that makes me feel good about buying new-old dresses, it’s wearing them out for a night on the town the next day!  

This dress is facinating because, like all dresses from the earlier part of the 20th century, it has no zipper.  However, unlike the other dresses I have seen from the 30’s and 40’s, this dress closes with beautiful sturdy brass hooks rather than buttons or snaps.  Sturdy breass hooks paired with intricate brown lace make this dress seem very much like a work of art.  

Monday night is Nashville is my favorite night in Nashville.  WESTERN SWING NIGHT!!!
First, dancing at Robert’s on Broadway to John Legend’s fantastic Western Swing band.  
This past Monday was particularly wonderful because a big group of friends got together to engage in some good clean dancing fun.  In these photos:  Emily Miller, Jesse Milnes, Joe Bass, Allison Williams, Joe Overton, and a new acquaintance; my dear friend Emily Miller recognized the sharp looking gent at the bar as none other than the Manuel, the “Rhinestone Rembrandt.”  Manuel has been creating couture for musicians, including Johnny Cash, Elvis, and Bob Dylan.  We got our picture made with him — how fashion blog appropriate is that?  
After dancing at Robert’s, we headed over to the World Famous Station Inn to see the best music Nashville has to offer– The Time Jumpers.  Folks, if you ever come to Nashville, make sure you arrange your visit so that you can stay in town Monday night.  The music of the Time Jumpers will change you, for the better.  
If you can’t make it on a Monday night, try for a Wednesday night and go see the reigning Swing Vocalist of the Year, Carolyn Martin with her fine band at the Nashville Palace.  She is a joy.
All of this good music almost makes a gal not care what she’s wearing…almost.
Thanks for reading friends.
Fondly,
Nora Jane
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Well folks I bought this sweat sweater in New York City back when I used to call that place home but I never wore it until my first winter in Tennessee.  I’ve never seen anything like the collar on this which is why I bought it and hung onto it even after months of not wearing it.  

As a rule, I try to get rid of clothes that don’t get worn.  It’s such a burden owning things you don’t use or need.  My friend Big Mike (Grove) and I wrote a song about that very thing and titled it “Just a Few Good Things”.  
In this sweater, I had one of the most enchanting evenings on Sunday night at, you guessed it, The 5 Spot.  There was a benefit show for an East Nashville resident fondly referred to as Cowboy Keith.  He was hit by a vehicle while riding his scooter around the neighborhood and his musician friends put on a big benefit to help him get through the months when he wont be able t work.  The community of musicians in Nashville is truly a wonderful and remarkable thing.
There were many different bands and acts playing at the benefit, but I came only in time to catch BR549 and Chris Scruggs and WOW-E-ZOW what performances!  Chris Scruggs is one of the most talented musician entertainers I’ve ever seen and BR549 performs classic country the way your souls wants it to be performed.  It was enough to help a gal remember how much she loves to dance.
Thanks for reading friends.
Fondly,
Nora Jane
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I went out last night to the 5 Spot, a wonderful, but smokey bar, over in East Nashville.  I try to wear easily washable clothes when I go out to smoker-friendly bars so I put on my red and white gingham shirt and a pair of medium-high waisted jeans.  My moccasins are always the perfect accompaniment and they are so so comfortable.

There were three really good bands playing last night.  My favorite was Branded Sons.  Great harmony on top of 70’s/80’s country rock.  It was a good time.
Thanks for reading friends.
Fondly,
Nora Jane
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Joe Bass was in visiting from the big NYC and goodness gracious can that man play the bass.


Emily Miller and Jesse Milnes were our gracious hosts.  

If life could be one big pickin’ party what a wonderful life it would be!
Ward Stout played some might fine fiddle and 
Alison Williams brought her fantastic fretless banjo stylings.
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