Have A “Nashville Lunch” Right Here In Buffalo [PHOTOS/VIDEO]

When I sat down to write this, I was going to start with a working title similar to "A Step Back In Time." However, after thinking about it for the afternoon, that would be very misleading. I had the pleasure of having lunch on Thursday afternoon at Sportsmens Tavern on Amherst St in Buffalo and it was one of the most enjoyable lunch hours I have ever had."Nashville Lunch" with the Lunch Bunch is held at noon every Thursday at Western New York's only TRUE honky tonk and it's anything but antique. It's very much relevant and alive or as the millennials say "it's on point!"

Truth is, the food is excellent from "The Grille" at Sportsmens Tavern.  But, that was just an added bonus to my Thursday afternoon. I arrived before Dwayne Hall and his band-mates hit the stage and walked around for a bit. I haven't been to Sportsmens in a few years and the renovations are straight out of Nashville. The stage is set in the corner with a few tables in front. There is a seating area that over looks the stage from above and a second floor bar that allows patrons quick access to a cold long-neck. The walls are lined with artists photos, autographs and well wishes from some of the legendary bands and stars from Buffalo and across the United States.

"We've booked some of the best acts around," Hall told me. "There are dozens of bands that rotate weekly/monthly and we have some amazing talent due on the stage in 2015," he added.After just a few minutes in the joint (I write that with the utmost respect) I could understand why they would want to. The Sportsmens Tavern is as close to the Nashville honky tonks you can get. I have been to many of the smoke filled bars on Broadway and even some of the best backwoods honky tonks that Texas and Alabama have to offer and I would say this place is on par with any one of them.

As a matter of fact, Dwayne informed me that The Sportsmens Tavern is up for a national Honky Tonk of the Year award in February.He and his wife will travel to Austin, Texas for the ceremonies on the 17th. An award that, should they win, should be proudly and deservedly bragged about.

Beyond the incredible atmosphere, the beauty of this place, the main focus, is music. You can find almost every genre and sound and type of music coming out of the speakers. But at lunch time Thursdays, it's some of the best country music you'll ever hear.

Dwayne Hall, founder of The Stone Country Band, knows his way around a country song. He and his skilled,veteran musicians are not only award winners, but have a clear passion for their trade. From Bobby Bare's "Detroit City" to Willie Nelson's "Bloody Mary Morning," they played hit after hit as we chomped on our cheeseburgers and fries. With a tip jar at their feet, the band of 5 joked around and interacted with the crowd, most of which told me they show up every week.

The song selection ranged from bits of blue grass to timeless country songs like "Bandy The Rodeo Clown" a Moe Bandy classic! But even Dwayne would be quick to tell you that these songs are not classic because of when they were released. They are classics because they are the very essence of what country music really should be. There is depth to these songs. A feeling that has been left behind by much of today's music bleeds from the speakers with every note from the steel guitar. A real steel guitar, not a digital fabrication.

The only thing I had a hard time with on Thursday, was leaving. But I plan on going back. Just about every patron I spoke with has a different favorite  they recommended I come back to see. Heck, there is even a 17 piece band that gathers to play on Tuesday's for lunch!

If you are hungry for some great music, excellent atmosphere and a relaxing way to spend your lunch hour, circle Thursdays at noon at The Sportsmens Tavern. Although you may want to tell the boss you're going to need a little more than just 60 minutes. It's hard to leave when "you're still doin' time in a honky tonk prison"- (George Jones)