Cher's Country Vacation

Merle Haggard

June 27, 2008 — Pop diva Cher had tongues wagging across Nashville this week when she made a quick dash into town for a couple days of concerts. She was not, however, the person performing — instead she was just in the audience while a bevy of performers did their thing.

Her excursion kicked off Tuesday when she popped into songwriter venue the Bluebird Café to see a show that featured four acts, including singer-songwriter Kim Richey, who wrote Trisha Yearwood’s "Believe Me Baby (I Lied)."

Later that night, Cher showed up at world-famous Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, where she watched the proceedings from a roped-off area. At that location, she was accosted by an aggressive fan who tried to get her attention and grabbed her by the waist. He was kicked out of the club by security but returned later; Cher declined to press charges against the man, who police said appeared intoxicated.

Wednesday, Cher had prime sixth-row seats at another venue across the alley from Tootsie’s, the historic Ryman Auditorium. According to WKRN-TV, Merle Haggard’s concert at the Ryman was the main reason she came to town. Cher wanted to surprise a friend who’s a huge Hag fan, and she booked a private jet for the date. She also got her friend a chance to hang with Merle backstage before the show.

Cher was not the only artist in the house that night. Also checking out Merle were Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, John Anderson, Gretchen Wilson and Jewel, accompanied by her rodeo-pro boyfriend Ty Murray.