The Totally Unofficial Tanya Tucker Fan Site

Tuckerville Photos

TUTTFS Trek to Tuckerville during CMA Music Fest

Arrington, TN - June 2007

Photos may not be used or copied without permission of the photographers: Casey and Dee (FL)

I don't remember exactly when she said it, but Alabama Dee said to me that she wanted to see Tuckerville before the developers moved in and changed everything.  All that needed to be determined was when we were going to fit the trek into our busy itinerary.  Several other fans enthusiastically agreed to go along -- which is a good thing, seeing as how neither of the Dee's had a clue how to get to Tuckerville!

Saturday morning me (Florida Dee), Alabama Dee, Casey (FL), Natalie (TN) and Mark (KY)  met up  at the Ramada Hotel.  No Show Wayne (NC) was supposed to go with us, but as it turns out partied a little too much the night before. (Wayne made the Tuckerville trek at a later time..story and photos on the way).

After much discussion it was decided that Alabama Dee's Toyota Scion would be the best vehicle to take.  With Alabama Dee driving and Natalie riding shotgun, the trek uhhh 'ride from hell' began.  Alabama Dee could have been the model for a Jeff Foxworthy Redneck Woman driver joke: cigarette in one hand, cell phone in the other, stick shift automobile, and changing the radio station -  cd player all at the same time.  She had it all going on except for the breastfeeding a baby part --  thank the lord for that!

After a quick stop for lunch at an excellent deli, we arrived at the gate to Tuckerville after a short but harrowing drive.  (Alabama Dee, two hands on the wheel!) 

To everyone's surprise the gate was O-P-E-N.  We fully expected the gate to be closed and to take a few photos of ourselves  at the gate and head back to town.  Without hesitation, Alabama Dee drove on through.

We drove down a winding road for about a mile and turned onto a lush lawn and Tanya's beautiful home came into view.  We figured this was a great place to take our 'tribute to Tuckerville' photos.

After all the picture taking was done, we loaded back in the car for the trip back to town when Alabama Dee decided she just couldn't leave until she found out if Miss T was at home and wanted some help packing.

Natalie and FL Dee are not sold on the idea, but Mark and Casey encouraged Alabama Dee to go for it. Alabama Dee's Toyota drove up to the front of the house and Mark and Alabama Dee (and a short time later Casey) went up to the front door and knocked.  A couple of Tanya's dogs were out front and not to our surprise nobody was bitten -- but I do believe everybody got licked!

After a short wait, a young lady opened the front door while Alabama Dee explained she and her small entourage were  from the TUTTFS.  Alabama Dee introduced herself as the one with 'the tattoo' and yes the lady knew exactly who she was.  Dee also explained that Tanya had said at a concert earlier in the week that she was packing up and could use some help.

Meanwhile, FL Dee and Natalie were finally convinced to get out of the car.  We figured since Casey, Alabama Dee and Mark weren't shot or arrested it could only get better.

The same lady came back to the door and said Miss T said to tell ya'll thank you very much for coming by and offering to help her move, but that she thinks she has it all under control and that she's sorry she can't spend more time with us. The lady said Tanya would NOT call the sheriff on us and have us arrested and that we could look around the property and asked us if we wanted to take any of the dogs. As much as we would have liked to, they were all big dogs, and we couldn't very well sneak them in our hotel!
 

Note: Check out Billy Joe Shaver's autograph on the column... a scene from one of the Tuckerville episodes.

On the way out the gate, Natalie and Alabama Dee picked up two playing cards - an Ace of Diamonds and a King of Spades - that were laying on the drive as well as a few keepsakes:  'Tuckerville rocks'.  Hopefully they will get them autographed at a future meet n greet (the cards, not the rocks!).

On the drive back, Florida Dee decided she could definitely use a margarita.  It didn't take too much convincing to get everybody to agree.  We stopped at a TGIF for drinks (for the grown ups) and an extremely rich dessert for Casey (let the sugar buzz continue).  The first thing we noticed when we sat down in our booth was the Glenn Campbell album cover on the wall.  I was afraid Alabama Dee was gonna tear it off the wall, but she settled for a picture with a disapproving glare instead.

We ordered margaritas all around and toasted our final farewell to Tuckerville! It was fun and sad at the same time if you can understand that. Sad to know that there will be no more Tuckerville shows from that place!! I can't even begin to imagine how sad Tanya and the kids must feel, leaving such a cool place after living there so long!!

After a lot of clowning around, laughing and general nonsense, we made it back to the hotel to hang out and rest up (fyi crown and coke is resting up) for the concert at LP Field.

So, when it was all said and done, the mission was accomplished:  TUTTFS bids a final farewell to the place once called 'TUCKERVILLE':

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