Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Nashville

This is the original sign that hung outside Tootsies Orchid Lounge in Nashville, Tennessee, now hanging in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

I'd never heard of it before I got over there, but ended up spending quite a lot of time in there after hours, slapping my thigh and getting down with some real, gritty Country and Western. It's not the polished, souless twang of Shania Twain, it's a guy with a guitar singing his heart out and making you dance around like a lunatic. Clearly, the locals weren't fooled, and knew I was just some damn Limey Johnny-come-lately, but it was great nonetheless.

It's played host to all the greats; Willie Nelson, Neil Young and even Dean Martin played there. Nowadays its mainly full of local bands hoping to make it big, but it's definitely worth checking out if you find yourself on the main drag in Nashville.