Arrival in Nashville and the “Time Difference” Incident on the Plane
On a domestic flight from Boston to Nashville Airport (Tennessee), as soon as the announcement to unfasten seatbelts was made, passengers stood up all at once. Since there was a one-hour time difference, I tried to adjust my watch to Central Time. In front of me, however, an elderly couple seemed to be arguing. Curious, I listened closely — they were debating the time difference.
The elderly woman, slightly hunched and with white hair, was saying, “We’re in America, there’s no such thing as a time difference here. Are you out of your mind?”
It must have been their first time flying domestically. They appeared to be part of a group tour heading to Nashville to attend a performance at the Grand Ole Opry.
The Grand Ole Opry — A “Holy Ground” of Country Music
The Grand Ole Opry is a legendary country music concert held in Nashville — a sacred place for country music fans. Across the United States, there are countless enthusiasts, and I am convinced that this is the one “Made in USA” cultural export that has never truly taken root in Japan.
The Roots and Evolution of Country Music
Country music originally emerged from the traditions of European immigrants who settled on the East Coast and crossed the Appalachian Mountains. Mountain music, Cajun music from French communities, Irish-influenced bluegrass that evolved in Kentucky, and hillbilly and gospel music fused with Southern blues — all of these genres came together and were broadcast nationwide from radio station WBM in Nashville.
In the 1950s, this cultural movement produced legendary stars such as Jimmie Rodgers, the Carter Family, and Hank Williams. Later, Elvis Presley — born in Memphis, Tennessee — and other musicians helped spread country music across the nation alongside rock ’n’ roll.
The era of WBM’s rise also coincided with the advent of the electric guitar, and countless star musicians have continued to shape the history of country music alongside rock ever since. In Nashville’s small downtown area, the historic Ryman Auditorium — once a weekend entertainment venue for ordinary people — still stands today. During the annual Fan Fair, the city overflows with live performances as top artists tour venues across town.
A “National Music” Unknown in Japan
Despite its immense popularity in America, most Japanese people know little about this vibrant music scene — perhaps much like how most Americans are unfamiliar with Japan’s enka. In Nashville, the pride in being a “Country Music City” runs so deep that musical notes are even featured in the designs of many taxis.
When I bring up country music in Japan, most people respond with, “Oh, you mean the cowboy stuff from Western movies — guns and ten-gallon hats, right?”
But that’s not it at all!!
Hisashi Iwase
Life Science Innovation Advisor at the Japan Analytical Instruments Manufacturers’ Association (JAIMA), and President & CEO of BioDiscovery, Inc.
Born in Tokyo in 1951. Graduated from the Department of Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Nihon University. Mr. Iwase has led management and marketing in analytical and bioscience instrumentation at Merck Japan, Nihon Waters, Nihon Millipore, Nihon PerSeptive, Applied Biosystems, Varian Technologies, and Agilent Technologies. He founded BioDiscovery Inc. in 2001 and has served as JAIMA’s Life Science Innovation Advisor since 2013.
