Ernest Tubb's 1970s Tour Bus | Wicked Ollie's Vintage | Nashville, Tennessee | Landmark Landing

 

Ernest Tubb's Bus, taken by Jennie Moore, 2024

    Inside of one of Nashville's best vintage shops rests a legendary piece of classic country music history. Wicked Ollie's Vintage is worth the visit alone, but what the store is hiding inside makes it all the more fascinating. The relic I'm referring to is the tour bus of country music pioneer Ernest Tubb (1914-1984). I was lucky to be able to pay Wicked Ollie's a visit when in town with my mom and tour the bus ourselves. 

Ernest Tubb's Bus, taken by Jennie Moore, 2024

    The bus, called "The Green Hornet" is a 1964 Silver Eagle and was purchased by Ernest Tubb in 1970 from the Trailways Bus Company. Throughout the 1970s, Tubb and his band, the Texas Troubadours, traveled three million miles on the bus. They traveled to all 48 continental states, and into Canada. It was in 1995 that the bus was restored to its current state, and is now staged to appear as it did in Tubb's prime touring days.

Ernest Tubb

    Ernest Dale Tubb was born on February 9th, 1914, in Crisp, Texas. Nicknamed "The Texas Troubadour", Tubb entered the scene with honky-tonk hit "I'm Walking the Floor Over You" in 1941, becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1942. He also created the radio show "Midnight Jamboree" in 1947 that still airs today. Tubb led an incredibly impressive career, earning himself an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Ernest passed away on September 6th, 1984, in Nashville, Tennessee, and is buried at Hermitage Memorial Gardens.

Ernest Tubb's Bus, taken by Jennie Moore, 2024

    Originally the Ernest Tubb Record Shop, the building was built around the bus. It then became a part of the store unit just next to the Texas Troubadour Theater in the Music Valley Village Plaza, today the location of Wicked Ollie's. What better location for a vintage bus than a vintage store? This location is a great stop for classic country fans across the board, with the bus being surrounded by vintage country music goodies. 

Ernest Tubb's Bus, taken by Jennie Moore, 2024

    It was surreal walking through the bus that carried such a legend. There are more buses on display throughout the area, and I intend to check them out in the future. Thank you for joining me on another adventure, and I hope to see you next time. If you check out the bus or Wicked Ollie's, leave me a comment and tell me about your visit!