NASHVILLE
left: a scenic view of the nashville skyline right: jack white’ s eclectic nashville record store
The Grand Ole Opry still hosts weekly music shows, that have featured musical stars since 1925. Everyone from Ricky Skaggs to Keith Urban has played on the iconic Opry stage.“ That’ s part of the Opry’ s heart, which is on display for all to see in those special moments. It’ s that moment when the performers and audience know they are part of something special that could only happen on that stage in Music City- Nashville, Tennessee,” says Dan Rogers, the Grand Ole Opry’ s communications director.
“ This is the music that made Music City,” explains owner of Robert’ s Western World, James Lee. The old fashioned Honkytonk is a stronghold of country music. Working odd jobs and singing in his spare time, Lee found himself chasing his dream to Music City and eventually landing a spot in the house band at Robert’ s.
The venue is all about traditionally inspired country music.“ This isn’ t a concert in grandma’ s backyard! It’ s tradition,” says Lee.“ You have hillbillies dancing with beautiful blonde college girls. And Merle Haggard has played on that stage. You really never know who will walk in the door.”
With the emphasis on tradition, it is difficult to see a new future for Nashville. But this southern town once known for‘ hee-haw’ tunes, overalls and cowboy boots has recently become known as one of the South’ s most vibrant and forward- moving cities. Nashville has become more than the capital of country music. It
has become home to musical growth. Much diversity has emerged out of Nashville’ s creative rebirth- Americana, bluegrass, indie, folk and jazz to name a few.
The number of music genres, multi-talented musicians and record stores has grown significantly. Popular venues like Third Man Records and Grimey’ s have only added to the appeal, introducing independent and eclectic music to Music City.
Grimey’ s, a record shop started by Mike Grimes, a self-proclaimed‘ recovering musician’, keeps Nashville’ s music scene progressive. The store offers thousamds of the latest releases and weekly live performances in‘ the Basement’. They also host monthly shows featuring upand-coming artists.
Third Man Records was brought to life by rocker Jack White( The White Stripes, Dead Weather and The Raconteurs) in 2009. The store is also home to a full production house- a recording studio, rehearsal stage and photo darkroom. Many of the records for purchase are printed, recorded and pressed here. A vintage recording booth is a recent addition, where people can create their own vinyl in a 1947 Voice-o- Graph.
This is the spirit of Nashville, a city spilling over with uniqueness and charm. It has successfully blended the old with the new- pieces of the past will always remain but this eclectic city is making room for a new future.
36