Escaping Nashville

Do not get me wrong. I love Nashville Tennessee with all of my heart. I’ve always wanted to be a musician, but I never wanted to live in Nashville. Music City USA! Yes, New York and Los Angeles are phenomenal, and they are way better than Nashville in my opinion. The music business though is centered in Nashville Tennessee. Not just country. Even though the amount of pop country made with all the snap/claps makes me want to stick a cowboy boot up my own ass.

When you think of Nashville who comes to mind? Johnny Cash? Loretta Lynn? Waylon Jennings?It’s quite overwhelming knowing the legends that have already painted the town red.

Maybe that was my first holdup. Fear of not living up to my idols. I never really was able to give 100% to my music in Nashville because of the cost of living. First time I moved up to Nashville I worked two jobs. Second time I had to work three jobs. It didn’t matter though. Three times I lived in Nashville between 2014 and 2019. I ended up homeless two maybe three times depending on how you look. Once was just for a couple days though because an old friend I was staying with while I was waiting to sign my next lease kicked me out for no reason. He said his mom wanted him to. So yeah FUCK him!

The other time I was homeless in Nashville was for three months. My dog had cancer and I had to chose between surgery or a place to live. Worst three months in Nashville I had. Living in the grey rusty van I was in the process of buying from a girl north of Nashville. She screwed me over! 100% the van was not as advertised and broke down on me every day. Still I want so badly to live in a van and travel. This was a bad experience, but I know if I could make it through living in a 120 degree van while taking care of a dog healing from cancer surgery from July through September I can do it for something I love.

Last time I was homeless in Nashville was the worst. I had 3 jobs at the time. I was living with 2 racist white brothers. They threatened to burn my dog, stole from me, were always on Xanax, broke 2 of my phones, one of them ran over the other with their car on purpose, and finally when the landlord kicked them out after 6 months of me barely able to leave my room, the landlord told me I had less than a month to move out to. Even though I had signed the lease which was for another 6 months. I have a dog that is an “aggressive” breed and 26-27 days to find a place in Nashville is literally impossible. Especially with a dog at all. Also the price per month median downtown Nashville was at $1,500! Shared rooms for 900+. I tried and tried. No success. I rented a van for 2 weeks when I didn’t find any where to live so I could work out 3 jobs’ two weeks notices. Worse lead to worse though.

My uncle told me in those 2 weeks that I should “come home” to his place. The day before my last day I messaged him with no response. He called me the next day as I’m supposed to leave Nashville to drive 10 hours up to Washington DC/NOVA. He informs me he sold his house and he was heading to Florida tomorrow. So as I drove to North Virginia as my family and only reason for coming there was leaving.

Homelessness sucks! Please be kind to the people you see and don’t look down on anyone. Everyone should be equal.

How many homeless people I knew in Nashville still breaks my heart not to be there for them. Anyway you can help other people. Even if it’s just offering a cigarette, soda, chips, or an ear to listen.

Love Everyone