FACES of Nashville: Molly Bedell

Molly Bedell and her husband Tom are the owners of one of our favorite shops in Nashville (with the original store in Aspen, CO), Two Old Hippies. Music runs in the family, with 6 grown kids between them (and two grandchildren) who are all musically talented playing piano, guitar, drums and harmonica. We love the fun this couple is having as empty nesters and their new path in life: retail in Nashville. We are so happy to have Molly as our newest girlfriend and Two Old Hippies as a part of our city’s landscape.

Where did you grow up? 

Mainly in Eugene, Oregon, and Aspen, Colorado.  Early on, my family moved every two years, as my father was in the Air Force and I was born in the UK.

How did you and your husband, Tom, meet? 

Our connection was a blind date that friends set up. We both did so much charity work, they thought we would make a good couple. We met 8 years ago in Colorado. 

How did you and Tom originally decide to open the original Two Old Hippies in the first place? 

We had spent two years off and on our boat in the South Pacific, and then the economy crashed. A friend of ours who owned the local music and instrument store in Aspen for over 35 years asked us to buy it. We decided it would be a fun venture that would allow Tom to recreate the guitar company he had in the 60′s during high school. But, we soon realized we needed more than guitars to make the company work, so I created the retail store side. 

How did you all decide to open up your second Two Old Hippies in Nashville? 

We wanted a town with a music component and year-round demographic that would be a fun place to live part-time. We also have some really great friends who live here, so the transition was perfect.

We hear the clothing label you created for the store, TOH, has some serious interest from some well-known big-time stores. Can you fill us in?

Not yet! (But stay tuned…)

As someone who has lived in Nashville for less than a year, can you tell us how the city has surprised you? 

How connected everyone seems to be. People are so very friendly and eager to help you out and introduce you to their friends. It is a large population, but it feels like a small town in many ways.  It is an extremely charitable city with very artistic people.

If you could change one thing about Nashville, what would it be? 

The drivers!!!!!!! 

Have you found a favorite hangout yet? 

The Gulch area, obviously. 

Is Nashville more creative than other cities you have lived? 

Absolutely. From music, to art, to design, to fashion sense, there is tremendous creative vibe here. 

Do you have any irrational (or rational!) fears? 

Heights, like tall buildings, and very closed-in spaces.

Molly and Tom's photography collection (which you can get a peak at in this photo), showcasing a bazillion musicians, is astoundingly cool. And, don't you just love that big ol' watch?!

What do you have your eye on to add to your 2012 summer wardrobe?  

Sexy sandals and cute dresses.

What books are found on your bedside table? 

Cutting for Stone and biographies about Steve Jobs and Gregg Allman. 

Any places around town that you have not visited yet, but have on your list to try out? 

Mercy Lounge, Printers Alley, Listening Room, Loveless Cafe. 

Do you have any weekly rituals that help you stay centered? 

A hike or some cardio, pilates, and a night or day just to myself (my alone time). 

Favorite vacation spot? 

Anyplace near the ocean

Favorite meal to cook for dinner with friends? 

Curry

As your family are such huge music lovers, we’d love it if you’d share a playlist that you would consider for a casual dinner party.

• Oh Darlin by the Beatles 
• Love & Happiness by Al Green 
• Deacon Blues by Steely Dan
• What you Want by Hall & Oates 
• I Can’t Stand the Rain by Seal 
• Can’t Hide Love by Earth, Wind & Fire 
• Love Keep us Together by Martin Sexton 
• Steve McQueen by Sheryl Crow 
• South City Midnight Lady by Doobie Brothers 
• All at Sea by Jamie Cullum 
• Nothing Left to Lose by Mat Kearney 
• Wonderful World by James Morrison 
• Talullah by Jamiroquai 
• Sweet Pea by Amos Lee 
• Tarpoleon Napoleon by Shelby Lynne 
• Chasing Pavements by Adele 
• Honestly by Annie Lennox

Name three things you can’t live without (excluding friends, family and God.) 

• Music
• Vacations
• Exercise
• Thin crust pizza (I know that’s four, but I have to break the rules!)

Thank you, Molly!  If you want to take a peek at some of the goodies inside of her store, Two Old Hippies, then click here.

And, thanks to Ashley Hylbert whose photographs each week prove to us all what an amazing photographer she is! For more photos, see her site: here.