In today’s episode, hosts Bobby Johnson and Barrett Hobbs sit down with Nashville fiddle legend Tim Watson, a musician whose career stretches from the earliest days of Opryland to stadium stages across the country. Raised in Gadsden, Alabama and taught by his fiddle-playing grandfather, Tim arrived in Nashville as a teenager and quickly found himself in the middle of country music history, recording with bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe and opening shows for legends like Conway Twitty, George Jones, and Tammy Wynette. Tim shares the wild road that brought him to Music City, including early days navigating a very different Nashville in the 1970s, landing a job at Opryland after an unforgettable audition, and eventually building one of the park’s most popular shows. Along the way he reflects on a time when Nashville entertainers worked sunrise to midnight, bouncing between the Ralph Emery Show, theme park stages, corporate gigs, and late nights in Music Valley. The conversation also dives into the friendships and unexpected turns that shaped his career. From touring with Tammy Wynette to ending up on stage with Kid Rock decades later, Tim tells stories that show just how small the Nashville music world can be when you’ve been in it long enough. There are tales of studio sessions, prank bets with celebrities, rodeo crowds, and the art of grabbing an audience the second you step on stage. It’s a conversation about the old Nashville that built this town, the entertainers who kept the crowds coming, and the kind of work ethic that turns a kid with a fiddle into a lifelong part of Music City’s story. Kick back and enjoy another round of stories straight from the heart of Music City on the Nashville Palace Podcast… where the stars drop in. ABOUT TIM WATSON: The high energy music of Tim Watson has been heard from stages around the world. His musical career has grown from performances in clubs near his home in Black Creek, Alabama to the Grand Ole Opry and venues in Germany, Switzerland, France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Bahamas, Mexico, Canada, and Holland. In 1985, Tim became a featured performer at the Opryland Show park, then in 1987 Tim went to work with the “First Lady of Country Music”, Tammy Wynette where he was a featured vocalist and fiddler. Tim has also played and sang with Travis Tritt, Randy Travis, Jamey Johnson, Dennis Quaid, Tanya Tucker, Jon Pardi, Gretchen Wilson, Lee Brice, Larry Gatlin, Jeannie C. Riley, Yelawolf, Vern Gosdin, Jeannie Seely, David Allan Coe, and Willie Nelson. Tim has opened shows for many superstars like George Strait, Ricky Skaggs, George Jones, Lonestar, Keith Urban, Conway Twitty, Ronnie Milsap, The Judds, and K.T. Oslin just to name a few. Recently, he has been working with his neighbor, Kid Rock. In addition to live performances Tim has been seen on TV shows such as the “Ralph Emery Show”, “Crook & Chase”, “Hee Haw”, “Nashville Now”, “CBS this Morning”, “Video P.M.”, “Good Morning America”, “Today”, “Prime Time Country” as well as Canadian TV’s “Tommy Hunter Show” and TV across the European Continent. Tim’s son, T.J., is also a powerhouse performer – adding to the show his blazing harmonica, guitar, and vocals. T.J. has performed with Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Michael Ray, Tim Montana, and has also opened for ZZ Top, Jake Owen, Brantley Gilbert, and Lee Brice. Tim and his group, “Black Creek” have worked for hundreds of the top corporate clients such as, Amazon, Coca-Cola, Toyota, General Motors, Anheuser Busch, Kimberly Clark, Alcoa, CMAs, and many of the top County and State fairs and festivals. They are very often asked for return engagements. The Associated Press recognized Tim Watson as one of the top corporate entertainers in the United States. Tim had the # 1 show at the Opryland Show park for over 5 years and had the #1 show in Nashville aboard the General Jackson Showboat for over 20 years. The combination of his energetic trick fiddlin’, crazy comedy, strong voice, audience participation, contagious smile and positive personality make this group a hit entertainment addition for any occasion. 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