In 1806, Nashville was incorporated as a city and became the county seat of Davidson County, Tennessee. In 1843, the city was named as the permanent capital of the state of Tennessee.
The most famous music venue in Nashville, the Ryman Auditorium, was built in 1892 when riverboat captain Tom Ryman completed what was originally named the ”Union Gospel Tabernacle”. When it opened it was the largest auditorium south of the Ohio River. It is nicknamed the “Carnegie Hall of the South” and attracts musicians and fans from all over the world. Ryman Auditorium is called the "Mother Church of Country Music".
Today, you don’t just go to Nashville to hear music. You go to Nashville to make music. There are hundreds of posters, fliers, and Craigslist ads asking for band members along with tons of open mic nights and opportunities.
Music has been the common thread connecting the life and soul of the city and its people. Jefferson Street is a hub for entertainment, music, and nightlife.
Music is a $15.6 billion industry with 182 recording studios, 498 music publishers and 80 record labels in the Nashville region. Nashville has the highest concentration of music industry employees of any city in the world, with nearly 60,000 total.
And, there is more to Nashville than music. There are over 90 parks and 75 miles of greenway which includes 190 miles of trails. Nashville is considered one of the best food cities in America.
Nashville's weather and temperature range are fairly moderate compared to many other cities in the United States. The Tennessee climate brings some rainfall in summer, often in the form of brief thunderstorms.
Nashville is enjoying an influx of new residents and a thriving tourism scene. Nashville is on pace to welcome a record 14.2 million tourists in 2022, surpassing its previous best of 13.8 million visitors in 2019, according to the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.
The city expects even better things ahead, projecting 14.9 million tourists in 2023. Nashville has welcomed 200 new eateries over the past two years, according to the city tourism board; it has a thriving upscale dining scene.
The population of Metro Nashville jumped 21% over the past decade, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, with the city welcoming an average of nearly 100 new residents every single day.
The Grand Ole Opry alone has about a million visitors a year.
Elvis Presley recorded more than 200 songs in the historic RCA Studio B.
There are more than 150 live music venues in Nashville. The popular Christmas song called “Jingle Bell Rock” was recorded in Nashville. |
In 1925, the establishment of radio station WSM its launch of the broadcast that would be called the Grand Ole Opry further secured Nashville’s reputation as a musical center and sparked its durable nickname of Music City. The Opry, still staged live every week, is America’s longest-running radio show, in continuous production for more than 90 years. Originally called WSM Barn Dance in honor of a similar radio program that aired in Chicago, Nashville’s famous weekly country music show was renamed Grand Ole Opry by George Hay on December 10, 1927. It is the world’s longest-running live music radio show.
Hatch Show Print is renowned worldwide and is one of the oldest letterpress shops in the nation.
Al Capone stopped at Nashville's Union Station as he was taken to a penitentiary in Georgia.
The first seeing-eye dogs were trained by a Vanderbilt University Student. The person who first called the US flag Old Glory lived in Nashville. President Theodore Roosevelt coined the phrase “good to the last drop” after drinking a cup of local Nashville coffee at the Maxwell House Hotel.
The Country Music Hall of Fame is in Nashville. Nashville is one of the biggest country music hubs in the United States. Therefore, it's no surprise that the city is home to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Oprah Winfrey got her big break in television as the first black female news anchor at Nashville’s WLAC-TV while she was still a Tennessee State University student.
Dolly Parton began her career on Porter Wagoner's Show in Nashville.
The city is home to Belle Meade Plantation, which is known as the cradle of the American Thoroughbred race horse. The home of Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, can be found in Nashville.
Known as the “Athens of the South” in the 1890s, the city built a full-size replica of the Parthenon for the World Exposition of 1897. Located in the 132-acre Centennial Park, it houses a full-scale replica of the 42-foot- tall statue of Athena. The artwork is the Western Hemisphere’s tallest enclosed sculpture.
The appeal of Nashville, Tennessee is more than just country music. The city's half million residents enjoy outstanding educational institutions, excellent healthcare facilities, and continued development of the arts. These advantages, combined with the temperate climate, natural beauty, and no state income tax, make Nashville a great choice for those looking to retire or relocate to the Southeast. The city also boasts plenty of recreational offerings including 10,500 acres of urban parks, great dining, entertainment, and a professional sports scene to rival larger cities. Nashville is popularly referred to as "Music City USA," due to the area's abundance of music publishers and recording studios.
More than 20 public and private institutes of higher learning are located within a 30-mile radius of Nashville's city limits. Residents have no shortage of educational opportunities, informational seminars, and non-degree enrichment programs.
Vanderbilt University, founded in 1873, is an independent, privately supported university and the local home of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, which offers adults over age 50 non-credit courses, social events, and trips and tours.
There are also three historically Black colleges in the Nashville community: Tennessee State University, Fisk University, and Meharry Medical College. Tennessee State's two campuses offer bachelor's, master's degrees, and doctorate degrees.
Fisk University is a liberal arts college that consistently lands on every "best" list. Fisk offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a range of subjects. It also partners with Vanderbilt University for a dual-degree engineering program and with Meharry Medical College for a joint program in biomedical studies.
Meharry Medical College, founded in 1876, bills itself as the nation's largest independent historically Black medical college. Meharry and Vanderbilt University formed an alliance in 1999 that has developed new programs in medical education and facilitated clinical care for under served residents.
Belmont University, which calls itself "a student-centered Christian community," occupies a 75-acre campus in southeast Nashville. Belmont offers more than 75 areas of undergraduate study, as well as 20 master's programs and three doctoral degrees.
Lipscomb University is a faith-based, four-year institution that offers more than 130 programs of study in 66 majors leading to bachelor's and graduate degrees. Lipscomb's Adult Degree Program offers bachelor's degrees and also encourages non-degree students seeking personal enrichment.
For those preferring two-year educational programs and career training, Nashville State Community College has more than 80 programs of study leading to associate's degrees and certificates on two campuses. A number of colleges have satellite campuses in Nashville, and the Nashville community is home to such specialized schools as the Art Institute of Tennessee, Nashville Auto Diesel College and the International Academy of Art and Design.
Fun Facts About Nashville
-
Music City, USA
Nashville earned the nickname "Music City" when the Fisk Jubilee Singers from Nashville’s Fisk University performed for Queen Victoria in the 1870s. Impressed by their talent, she reportedly said they must come from a “music city.”
-
Home of Country Music
The Grand Ole Opry, the longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history, began in Nashville in 1925. It's considered the birthplace of country music and still hosts live shows today.
-
A Greek Parthenon Replica
Nashville has a full-scale replica of the Greek Parthenon located in Centennial Park. Originally built for Tennessee’s 1897 Centennial Exposition, it even features a 42-foot statue of the Greek goddess Athena.
-
The Hot Chicken Capital
Nashville is known for "hot chicken," a spicy fried chicken dish invented by accident in the 1930s by a woman seeking revenge on her cheating boyfriend. Today, it’s one of the city’s most famous dishes.
-
Music Row
Music Row, a small area of the city, is home to hundreds of recording studios, labels, and production companies. It’s the heart of the Nashville music industry and responsible for countless hit songs across multiple genres.
-
Hatch Show Print
Nashville’s Hatch Show Print, founded in 1879, is one of the oldest working letterpress shops in America. The shop has created iconic posters for legends like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and many more.
-
A Growing Population
Nashville is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. The population has been booming, attracting people for its job opportunities, music scene, and Southern charm.
-
Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley Both Called Nashville Home
Both Johnny Cash and Elvis recorded music in Nashville, leaving a lasting legacy. Cash’s recording of “Folsom Prison Blues” was recorded at the famous Studio B, while Elvis recorded over 200 songs in the city.
-
Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage
Nashville is home to The Hermitage, the historic home of the seventh U.S. President, Andrew Jackson. Visitors can tour this beautifully preserved estate, which includes Jackson’s original mansion and grounds.
-
It Has a Batman Building
The AT&T building in downtown Nashville is nicknamed the “Batman Building” due to its unique shape with twin spires that resemble the superhero’s mask.
-
Tennessee Whiskey Trails
Nashville is close to the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, which includes distilleries like Jack Daniel's and smaller craft distilleries. Visitors can tour and taste some of the finest whiskeys made in Tennessee.
-
It’s a Sports Town
Nashville is home to NFL’s Tennessee Titans, NHL’s Nashville Predators, and has become a major sports destination with growing fan bases and exciting games held in the city.
-
The Guitar Pick Bridge
The Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge in downtown Nashville is designed to look like a guitar pick when viewed from above, paying homage to the city’s musical roots.
-
Hollywood Loves Nashville
The TV show Nashville, which ran from 2012 to 2018, showcased the city’s music scene and landscapes, bringing even more attention and tourism to the area.
-
"I Believe in Nashville" Mural
This popular mural in the 12 South neighborhood has become a favorite photo spot for locals and tourists alike. It symbolizes the pride Nashville residents feel for their city.
-
The Birthplace of Bluegrass
Bluegrass music originated just outside Nashville in nearby Rosine, Kentucky, but Nashville was essential in popularizing it. The genre often features at the Grand Ole Opry and other venues around the city.
-
Honky Tonk Highway
Lower Broadway is known as “Honky Tonk Highway,” featuring bars with live music day and night. Many famous country artists got their start playing at these venues.
-
A Hub for Healthcare
Nashville is also a major healthcare hub, with more than 500 healthcare companies headquartered in the area, contributing billions to the city’s economy.
-
Over 100 Parks
Nashville boasts more than 100 parks and green spaces, including Percy Warner Park, Radnor Lake, and Centennial Park, offering residents and visitors plenty of nature escapes.
-
The Bluebird Cafe
This intimate venue is known for hosting legendary songwriters and upcoming talent alike. Many country music stars, including Taylor Swift, were discovered here.
-
Civil Rights History
Nashville played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement, especially with the Nashville sit-ins in the 1960s. The city’s role is documented at the Nashville Public Library and other sites.
-
A Leader in Hot Sauce Production
Nashville is known for its love of hot sauce. Local brands like Nashville Hot Sauce have gained popularity nationwide, thanks to the city’s affinity for spicy foods.
-
Bachelorette Party Capital
Nashville is one of the top destinations for bachelorette parties in the U.S. The city’s lively nightlife, music scene, and Instagram-worthy murals make it a popular choice for celebrations.
-
Rooftop Bars Galore
Nashville has a high concentration of rooftop bars with amazing views of the city skyline, including popular spots along Broadway and in the Gulch.
-
First Publishing City in the South
Nashville became the first city in the South with a public school system and a major publishing hub, including religious publishing giants like Thomas Nelson.
From its vibrant music scene to its unique cuisine and rich history, Nashville offers endless charm and excitement, making it a truly unique and unforgettable city. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local, there’s always something new to discover in Music City!
|
