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Tennessee's expression also brightened into a smile as he shifted into a better position to hold his guitar. He was strangely gentle and almost affectionate to the instrument as he gave the strings a test strum to make sure its pitch was just right. Satisfied, the musician began to play and the quiet, absent-minded and generally reserved state suddenly changed into a different person.

When he started to sing Tennessee was full of passion and channeled the music through his entire being. His voice, guitar, expression and entire persona was perfectly in synch with the lyrics and melody. No matter what anyone thought of his culture, at the very core of it was music, and his Nashville certainly had earned the title of Music City, USA. When Tennessee was in his element performing, it was very obvious how the genres of Blues and Rock n' Roll were born and Country had found its home within his borders.

The moment the song ended, Tennessee was himself once again as if the transformation had never taken place. He looked up at Wisconsin with a modest little smile. "I was thinkin' of playin' that one at Missouri's festival... It's kinda old, but I always have a good feelin' when I play it," he said.

Tennessee couldn't help a chuckle. He'd never seen Wisconsin trying so hard to communicate something before. Usually his responses always seemed so calculated and precise no matter how casual the language was. The fact Wisconsin was making an honest effort was the greatest compliment of all.

"I'm glad you liked it," he said with a cheerful smile. "Music is my favorite thing in the world. When I can share it with other people it's the best feelin' you can imagine." He blushed a bit and his expression turned sheepish. "I know that sounds kinda corny but... well, you wanna try it? It's easier to show someone than explain it to them."

"I'll teach you how to," Tennessee offered as he slipped the guitar strap off his shoulders and offered Nashville for Wisconsin to hold. Even though it was his most prized possession and vital city, Tennessee didn't even hesitate to hand it over. Despite their less than spotless pasts with each other, he felt like their time together had proven that Wisconsin wasn't a threat or danger to him at all anymore. They would probably never see eye to eye on many things, but he didn't see why they couldn't be friends anyway. "It takes a bit of practice to really play, but the basic chords aren't too hard. I bet you're a fast learner."

Tennessee had all he could do not to laugh at how strange it was to see Wisconsin like this. It was almost cute to see him uncertain, almost vulnerable, and far more open than the Volunteer State had ever thought was possible. He felt relaxed to know Wisconsin really was 'human' like the rest of them.

"It's ok," Tennessee said with an encouraging nod as he showed Wisconsin how to properly hold the guitar and set his fingers. "Nobody is great their first time tryin' something new. I won't make fun of you if that's what you're worryin' about."

Tennessee was enthusiastic and cheerful about teaching the other state how to play the guitar. He grinned when Wisconsin gave the guitar a strum even if it was awkward and hesitant. "It's not so bad, see?" he said more than asked happily. "With some practice I bet you'd be really good."

"Um, you might want to do it more gently," Tennessee tried to correct as he restrained himself from protectively snagging the guitar away. Poor Nashville couldn't handle that kind of treatment since it was still recovering from its flood. "I mean, you can get a better feel for the guitar if you go at a slower pace. Try closing your eyes and just concentrate on the sound and vibration of each strum."

And please don't break Nashville, he wanted to add.

"Well... I guess I've been playing music for over 200 years now..." Tennessee said as he tried to recall when he had gotten his first instrument. He had been exposed to ballads and song for a long time before that, but hadn't owned an instrument until his first territorial governor gave him a fiddle. Next to his rifle and tomahawks it was the most important thing in the world to him when he was a child. He probably still had it tucked away somewhere. "It's been so long... Before guitars were invented I played a lot with fiddles and banjos. I can play the piano and some other stuff, too, but I like string instruments best. You can really feel the music with string instruments."

Tennessee closed his eyes and smiled as he listened to Wisconsin play. It was far from good in the technical sense, but that wasn't always the most important thing when it came to music. He might not have been the smartest state nor the most insightful when it came to political games and reading between the lines, but he could understand people through the way they played. To him the way someone strummed the strings or held a guitar was far more telling about their character than any speech or formal proposal. There was honesty in music and it revealed more about Wisconsin than he could probably hope to realize.

"Hm?" Tennessee opened his eyes and blinked for a second as he tried to focus on what Wisconsin had said. He smiled awkwardly at the compliment and rubbed the back of his head. "I guess I've always been partial to music... but there are a lot of others in the South who are good, too. It's just become more of a staple at my house, that's all." Although Tennessee certainly was the one who had become famous for it regardless of the others' skills.

"You know, you should get an instrument, too," Tennessee advised. "I know dairy is your thing, but I bet you'd really like havin' one around. Music is relaxin' and clears your head when you're stressed. Maybe you can pick one up at Missouri's festival? You're gonna stick around after droppin' me off, right?"

"Louisiana is really good, huh?" Tennessee agreed as he did his best not to laugh at Wisconsin's efforts. He worried too much about saying the wrong thing, but it was fun to watch him try so hard. The Volunteer State tilted his head thoughtfully to the side at the question.

"Hm... Well, they might have some instruments you can try at the festival," he suggested. "I think guitars and strings are the best, but wind or brass instruments are nice too. You should try until you find one that calls out to you."

Tennessee paused and wrinkled his nose unhappily. "That... was kind of corny sounding, too, wasn't it?" he muttered, but he didn't know a better way to describe it.