Nashville: The Capital of Country Music

Nashville has been crowned “The Capital of Country Music” because it has played a crucial role in the development and popularization of the country music genre at it’s inception.

In the early 1900s, Nashville became a bastion for new music, with record labels like Acuff-Rose and BMI setting up shop here. This attracted hordes of singer songwriters from all over the country, who came to Nashville to be part of a large growing and active music community. The city has since been a hub for aspiring country musicians and songwriters, thanks in part to these key factors:

Grand Ole Opry:

The Grand Ole Opry, a weekly radio show that showcased country music performers, began broadcasting from Nashville in 1925. It the longest-running and arguably the most popular live music radio show in the USA! It has showcased countless country music legends and up-and-coming artists, making it a significant contributor to Nashville’s reputation as the country music capital.

Music Row:

Music Row is a historic entertainment district in Nashville and has been the epicenter of the country music record industry since the 1950s. Many recording studios and record labels call Music Row their home!

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum:

Founded in 1961 the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum continues to celebrate the country music’s history and pays tribute to its most influential country music stars. The museum boasts a huge collection of recordings, photographs and interesting items that help tell the story of country music.

Country Music Festivals:

Nashville hosts numerous music events and festivals throughout the year that celebrate country music, such as the CMA Music Festival and the AmericanaFest. These events draw fans and musicians from all over the world, further solidifying Nashville’s status as the capital of country music.

Famous stars:

Many of the country music legends you would have heard of have called Nashville home. Including none other than Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift.

Today, Nashville is home to many of country music’s biggest stars. As well as multiple rising star country artists who continue to push country music into new and exciting places. The city’s famous “honky-tonks”, live music venues and numerous popular music festivals draw in thousands of visitors to Nashville each and every year.

Combine all this with the city’s overall love and appreciation for country music; it’s now easy to see why Nashville has earned its nickname as the “capital of country music.”