Published February 18, 2024
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).
Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Roy Acuff and Patsy Cline: when one thinks of Nashville, country music reigns supreme. This is, after all, the city that gave the world the Grand Ole Opry — America’s longest-running radio show, which propelled country music into US homes, bore witness to the birth of bluegrass music and transformed both genres into something bigger, more electric and symphonic.
But Nashville is also the crossroads where country, rock and blues converge, with roots in R&B and a thriving pop and indie scene. At any given hour, on any day of the week, chords and riffs of multiple genres can be heard rippling through its streets, be it a pop performance at the Ryman Auditorium, a gig at the foot-stomping honky-tonks of Broadway or a mellow acoustic set in Music Row’s intimate venues. Throw in fascinating museums and historic recording studios, and it’s easy to see why this is America’s ‘Music City’.
Begin your musical journey at the Ryman Auditorium, a world-renowned concert hall, rock’n’roll landmark and the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. Now dubbed the Mother Church of Country Music, the venue remains a melomaniac’s dream, with unparalleled acoustics, star-studded exhibits and a multimedia presentation that recalls the building’s 131-year history. Opt for the self-guided tour to take in the exhibits at your own pace or sign up for the guided backstage tour to hear inside stories about the venue’s iconic shows, political demonstrations, suffrage meetings and rumoured hauntings. Better yet, come back in the evening to attend a live performance.
National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM)
History comes to life at the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM), located across the road from the Ryman. Opened in 2021 and said to have taken some 20 years to complete, this extensive, one-of-a-kind museum has ultimately been over 400 years in the making. It celebrates African Americans’ contribution to the musical landscape in six galleries, curated to share a unique perspective on over 50 genres — from the golden age of gospel and humble beginnings of blues to the evolution of R&B, hip-hop and rap. Highlights include the ‘Wade in the Water’ gallery, where a green screen lets you sing along with Bobby Jones and the Nashville Super Choir, and the ‘One Nation Under a Groove’ gallery, which gets you moving through the decades to the sounds of disco, funk and soul. Top tip: admission is free on Wednesdays.
By now, you’ll have earned a drink and bite to eat. Thankfully, you’re just around the corner from Nashville’s cultural and musical heart: Honky Tonk Highway, a historic strip of dive bars, cocktail lounges and multi-storey clubs on Broadway pumping out live music night and day, from every direction and doorway. For an authentic experience,