HAVE MUSIC . . . WILL TRAVEL . . .

I just returned home after having visited 4 cities in 2 weeks. It was fun, though a bit tiring, like traveling with the family can sometimes be. Had it not been for the music, I probably wouldn't have made it beyond a couple of days (smile). Really, I mean, What's a road trip without music? Please, I don't even want to think about it.

When the hubby and I first started traveling together, umpteen some years ago, our musical preferences/differences were something we had to sort out. I like my music loud. He doesn't. While I enjoy a variety of music, I prefer R & B, hip-hop and jazz. The hubby can only take a limited amount of hip-hop, prefers "smooth" jazz, and is even more OLD SCHOOL than am I when it comes to his preferences in R & B.

Moreover, I'm pretty sure, had ole boy been traveling alone, he would have listened to nothing but CLASSICAL music. I don't have anything against classical music. It's all right. I mean, I can listen to it for a good, solid 10 minutes or so . . . before I'm overcome by an overwhelming desire to slit my own wrists or somebody else's throat (LOL).

In recent years, I've managed to assemble a collection of mutually agreed upon cds. These are tunes we both enjoy and have little problem listening to over and over again. On our latest road trip, I managed to sneak in a best of Stephanie Mills collection and that went over well enough to become part of the permanent rotation. But when I dropped a best of Aretha collection on ole boy and tried to get him to join me in a "Freeway of Love" sing-along, he wasn't having it. Though, I think I heard my son humming in the backseat to "Chain, Chain, Chain" so there may still be hope (smile).

The following is currently the mutually agreed list of tunes we listen to when we set out on long road trips:

1) Next Exit (Grover Washington, Jr.)

2) Cache (Kirk Whalum)

3) Hang Suite . . . & . . . Now (Maxwell)

4) Ride (Boney James)

5) What's Going On (Marvin Gaye)

6) Best of Smooth Jazz (Vols.1-4; Various Artists; Warner Bros)

7) When Skies Are Grey (Ron Carter)

8) Bill Withers (Greatest Hits)

9) Kemistry . . . & . . . Kem II (Kem)

10) Bang!Zoom (Bobby McFerrin)

11) Always & Forever: The Classics (Luther Vandross)

Of course, had it been left to me, there would have been some Common, Coltrane, Miles, Badu, Jaguar Wright, Ndegeocello, India Arie, Jill Scott, Raheem DeVaughn, some old Isley Brothers and Al Green, some Heather Headley, Cassandra Wilson, some Lauryn Hill, a bit of T.I and the list goes on . . .

So, what do you listen to when you are on the road?

ABC'S "OCTOBER ROAD" . . . & MY SUMMER ROAD TRIP . . .

October Road is an ABC television series about a writer who, after a 10 yr absence, returns home and finds employment at a local college. I've watched the show a couple of times--if only because it follows Grey's Anatomy on Thursday night. I told the hubby, were I 10-15 years younger, I'd probably really enjoy the show . . . But anyway, the last time I watched I can distinctly remember wondering where the series might have been filmed.

Well, turns out it's filmed on the college campus where my good friend YN teaches. When I spoke to her this past weekend, she said, "Hey, have you ever watched that show, 'October Road?' Guess where it's filmed?" She also told me Tyler Perry had been on campus filming a movie, not more than a couple of weeks ago.

After a bit of online research, I discovered that some of the other movies filmed at Agnes Scott College include: A Man Called Peter; Scream 2 and the higly acclaimed tv series, I'l Fly Away.

Even though I'm not much of a celebrity buff, a visit to a scenic college campus can't help but appeal to my inner nerd. And as far as the hubby is concerned, believe me, he's no better. All I have to do is whisper, "gothic architecture" and ole boy's eyes light up and he starts reminiscing about the days (and no doubt, some of the nights) he spent on the University of Notre Dame's campus.

So, looks like, we'll be adding a tour of my home girl's campus to the list of things we plan to do when we roll into the ATL this summer. Between that and the list of things, Professor BlackWoman (see the comments section of the March 19th "Road Trip" post) was kind enough to share, I'm sure we'll have a great ole time. If anyone else would like to volunteer additonal suggestions, (for places to visit and things to do in Atlanta, Jackson, Miss or New Orleans) I'm still taking them. Drop me a line in this post's section for comments or email me at after.dance@hotmail.com .

If you're interested in learning more about Agnes Scott College and its involvement in the movie biz, this article is a good place to start.

THE SUMMER ROAD TRIP . . . ATLANTA, JACKSON (MS) AND NEW ORLEANS . . . ANY USEFUL TIPS, SUGGESTIONS AND/ OR WARNINGS?

We'll be on the road this summer and headed due South, as might be expected (smile). Our first over-night stop will probably be Atlanta. I have a friend who teaches at a small liberal arts college in the area and I hope to spend at least a day, hanging out with her.

Perhaps those of your familiar with the ATL could give me a suggestion or two, as far as what "family-oriented" things we might want to see or do while we're there. Keep in mind, I'm only planning on spending ONE full day there. What bookstores might I want to visit? What restaurants might we want to try? Which civil right stops/landmarks are must-sees? I'm even open to considering those things you've heard from others. Even though my friend has been begging me to visit her for years, I've only stopped in the ATL once and that was for a brief over-night stay this past Christmas. I didn't really get to see or do anything, even though the hubby insisted we stay downtown, high atop The Peachtree, if only for the spectacular view. It was nice . . . except for the roach that greeted us upon entry into our room (LOL). In any case, since we now live so close to Atlanta, we do plan to vist more often.

After dropping the young'un off with relatives in Memphis, the hubby and I are heading for Jackson, Mississippi. Yeah, I know some of you are scratching your head and wondering: Why in the world would she wanna go there? But I bet those of you who know me well or else are familiar with Jackson, already know why. Eudora Welty, of course.

If you don't know who Eudora Welty is, well, you need to ask somebody. Better yet, Google her and then go ready her story, "Why I live at the P.O." A stranger who'd read some of my work once, told me my style kind of reminded her of Welty's. Of course, another acquaintance (an English professor) told me my style reminded her of Raymond Carver's. Yeah, go figure. Anyway, I'm going to Jackson in order to stop by Miss Welty's house and tour the gardens she tended and loved so well when she was alive. If possible, I also plan to tour the house. I'd love to see where she did her writing.

As many times as I've visited and driven through Mississippi, I've never stayed overnight. But this time, I just might. Anybody know what else there is to do in Jackson, Mississippi? Any tips on where a sister might grab a bite to eat?

After Jackson, we're headed for New Orleans. I've been to New Orleans once, but it was years ago and work related. This time I want to really see/experience New Orleans . . . or at least what's left of it post Katrina. We'll probably stay 3-4 days in the Big Easy. I love checking out historically Black college campuses, so I am planning to visit Xavier University while I'm there. But else should I do? Where should I go? What should I see?

Yeah, I know, I've got to hit The French Quarter and the Garden District, but give me some specifics, if you will. Where do I go to hear some decent jazz? Where can I get a bowl of gumbo or sample some of those pralines and beignets I always hear folks raving over? What other sites would you suggest I try and/or see? Museums? Bookstores? Haunted Houses? Cemeteries? I'm not a big fan of swamps or plantations (sorry, but a sister ain't trying to have nightmares about Mammy, Da Master and Miss Prissy and 'Nem), but for this trip, I won't completely rule them out (smile).