Nashville is nicknamed Music City, so it’s no surprise that there are endless options for listening to live music or learning about the history of music. The city has the honky tonks along Broadway, recording studios along Music Row, party buses touring the streets blaring music, and murals and statues honoring musicians throughout the city. 

While I’ve never been a huge country music fan, there is something about seeing music live surrounded by people that are enjoying themselves that makes any music experience enjoyable.  During my latest Nashville visit, I was staying just blocks away from Broadway where all the honky tonks are with a friend who is a country fan, so I got to spend some time getting swept away by one band after another.  I was also surprised by the diversity of music of the bands. Of course there were the country bands, but there were also a fair amount of rock bands as well. Outside of the main honky tonks on Broadway, we also got to enjoy smaller acts while off the main strip (shout out to The Stillery for their chill upstairs vibe and good food).  Every band we saw was talented, full of energy, and fun to watch; so I don’t think you can go wrong checking them out and being ready to dance. 

I am a huge fan of Johnny Cash, so I made sure to add his museum to my list.  While the museum is only a few rooms, they are full of memorabilia (album, outfits, videos, photos, etc), information about his music and acting career, philanthropy work, and his marriage to June Cash.  While exploring the museum, his music is playing in every room, so you definitely get the whole Johnny Cash experience by the end. 

A friend told me about the National Museum of African American Music, and if she hadn’t suggested it, I don’t know if I would’ve come across it.  It’s a quiet building situated catty-corner to the Country Music Hall of Fame; thus, it gets overlooked by most tourists. However, this was one of my favorite things I did on my latest visit.  The museum starts with a 15 minute video that talks about the influence of migration, blending of cultures, history, and politics had on Black music in America. It works well as an introduction to the purpose of this museum.  Once inside the main exhibit halls, the museum is set up by musical genres, and throughout all the rooms there are several interactive screens. I could’ve spent an hour at each of the video screens as they were set up to let people do a deep dive into the interaction between history and music and the influence one musician had on another.  The museum offers bracelets for a small extra fee where you can create a playlist of songs that you want to hold onto.  There were also stations where you could create your own music through layering of the different elements that make a song.

While I didn’t go into the Country Music Hall of Fame, I did take a tour of the attached Hatch Show Print shop. The shop opened in 1879 and is still a working print shop. Once you see their style of printmaking, you’ll realize that you’ve seen their work everywhere. They are most known for their concert posters, but have also printed movie and circus posters in the past.  At the end of the tour, you’re able to choose from a set of designs and make your own poster to take home. 

Nashville’s music scene even permeates their parks.  There is of course the small Music City Walk of Fame in the park outside of the Country Music Hall of Fame honoring those from all genres of music that have contributed to the music industry, but more surprising was the If Trees Could Sing exhibit sponsored by the Nature Conservatory in Bicentennial Park. Attached to trees throughout the park are QR codes that connect the specific trees with musicians who talk and even sometimes sing about them.  

I have to add that I tried to go to the Bluebird Cafe during both of my visits to Nashville without success (1st time I unsuccessfully waited in line for 2 hours for their famous open mic night; 2nd time it was closed for renovations), so if I get back to Nashville, I will hope that the 3rd time’s the charm.