The Tennessean reports:
Germany may not come to mind when you think of American country music, but Nashville certainly comes to mind when Germans think of it.
German melomaniacs have had a long-standing love for America’s country and rockabilly scenes, inspiring some German country recording artists, honky-tonks and line-dancing joints in Berlin, and sold-out arenas when certain country bands play there.
Country was liked well enough there in the late 1950s and early ’60s for Johnny Cash — earlier stationed there with the U.S. Air Force — to record German versions of some of his songs.
Today, that country connection is seen as a tourism opportunity.
Sophie Streitbörger of Germany enjoys the music at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. She is working with the Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau for a month to promote Tennessee to German, Swiss and Austrian travelers.