If you're a Country Music fan, make plans to jump in your car ASAP and make the drive to Las Vegas. You'll get your Country fix in no time.

How would you like to hang out and enjoy a show with some of the biggest songwriters in all of Country-dom? What if you could pull up a chair or bar stool and listen to their stories and hear their music? You can.

My most recent trip to Las Vegas included a stop at Mizuya Lounge at the Mandalay Bay last October. I went there to hear a friend's band play. Before their show, the venue presented an ongoing event, Nashville Unplugged. This show features several of the most influential songwriters in the business.

That night's performance started at 8 p.m., and featured songwriters Aaron Benward, Travis Howard, and Brice Long. There was no cover charge to speak of. Granted, seating was hard to find, but we came up with some chairs at the sushi bar.

What exactly is "Nashville Unplugged: The Story Behind the Song"? According to the event's official Facebook page, it is a songwriter in the round show that "brings the most successful, hit songwriters from Nashville right to you."

I would say that description is right on the money. In addition to telling the stories behind their hit songs, the writers also perform a tune or two.

Brice Long and Waylon in Las Vegas
Bob Sours
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While there, I enjoyed the opportunity to hang out with Brice Long. What tunes has he written? Well, for starters, one of the best tunes to hit Country radio in years, Randy Houser's hit "Like a Cowboy." Here are a few more.

  • Heartache On the Dance Floor - Jon Pardi
  • How Country Feels - Randy Houser
  • Nothing on but the Radio - Gary Allan
  • Wish You Well - George Strait
  • A Little Want To - Reba McEntire
  • All-American Kid - Garth Brooks
  • Nothing On But the Radio - Gary Allan

Nashville Unplugged runs Friday nights from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Each week features special guests. Between now and February 16, the guest lineup includes:

  • Danny Myrick - January 26
  • Jeremy McComb - February 2
  • Danny Myrick - February 9
  • Marty Dodson - February 16

This show alone is worth the drive to Las Vegas. Yeah, the drive from Grand Junction to Las Vegas comes in at roughly seven hours, give or take an hour depending on whether you stop at the fireworks store just across the Nevada border.

Make plans to attend Nashville Unplugged. This is the real story behind Country music. Festivals are great, and concerts are always fun. This, however, is the chance to see some of the best in the business in a very intimate setting. Make the drive, and enjoy a night of genuine Country with some of the biggest names in songwriting.

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