The Glow Bus

When living in NashVegas, buses come in so many different shapes and sizes.  You have the traditional yellow school buses, the Metro Transit Authority buses, a main Greyhound bus terminal, the new free downtown circuits (blue, green, and purple), artist and band buses, and the fabulous party buses. 

Most people have ridden a bus at some point in their lives.  It’s usually a school bus or some form of public transportation.  I remember riding the bus for the first time on my way to kindergarten on my first day of school.  It was exciting.  I remember the trips in college getting on the bus with all those crazy LSJUMB band members on our way to a football game.  There was one time when my mom and I missed our bus stop in Cannes, France and the bus driver made us get off at the end of the line only to feel sorry for us and drive us back to our hotel in his own car.  Buses have also provided me with a roof over my head or a quiet place to hang out before a show but there are some buses in Nashville that are just downright fun.

 If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a rockstar, you should rent one from FADDS party buses found in Nashville.  Most cities have something similar to these.  I’ve seen some in New York and San Francisco.  I won’t talk about those though because I’ve never been on one.  I will tell you the experience is well worth it.  If they had something like this where I grew up, I think we probably would have rented one for prom instead of a limo (oh wait, we never rented a limo).  If we had rented a bus like these, there is a good chance we might not have made it to the prom because there is already music and neon lights, strobes and poles, drivers and bathrooms, and even some have a DJ. 

Last weekend, a friend’s mom rented one for her birthday.  Yes, she is 29 years old but when you’re the baby, you’ll always be the baby and Mom can do whatever she wants.  In fact, it was the best idea for the night.  We were on the glow bus.  I’ve been on a few of the buses.  For one of my friend’s bachelorette party, we rented the trolley.  It doesn’t hold quite as many people but it’s cheaper.  We went from bar to bar and the driver usually helped us get in either free or for discounted rates.  That’s just one of the perks.  I have also been on the Majestic.  We were filming a kid’s game show for which I was the host:www.karpoolkids.com.  Don’t tell anyone but for the outside shots, we were in a different double decker bus and for the inside shots, we were in the most tricked out double decker bus.  Anyway, I digress. 

This particular night last weekend was so much fun because our intention was to be on there for three hours and bar hop around Nashville.  We ended up pretty much driving around for the whole three hours.  Our first stop was a liquor store.  They have coolers in the bus already filled with ice so why wouldn’t you just buy your own bottle of whatever you want to drink and spend 1/5 of the money you’d spend in a bar.  Once our cups were full, we headed down to Broadway.  That’s where you’re going to get the attention.  People stop and stare.  One lady was waving at us throwing the rocker horns and ran smack right into a parking meter.  Have you ever seen the two guys who dress in “Bang This” shirts that rap and dance on the street corner without music? A few of us jumped out of the bus and danced for a minute with them while at a light.  Near the end of the night one guy decided to moon the entire bus.  I really wish he’d kept his pants on, he blinded me.  Anyway, point is, you never how people will react to you but they will react.   

I just don’t know why there aren’t more buses like these.  It’s the closest you’re gonna get to being on a tour bus or truly having your own private dance club.  You’re on a bus with only your friends, the DJ takes only your requests, you aren’t drinking and driving, you can dance while on the interstate even, you can yell at all the people walking on Broadway and most importantly, you can have as much fun as you allow yourself.  One friend had a little too much and was trying to sleep on the back of the bus.  Our driver drove him home while we all heckled him.  At the end of the night, none of us had to pick a house, that’s key. 

Glitz and Glamour, everyone can have their own slice of it.  Just rent one of these buses and have the time of your life for a few hours at least.