 
Nashville has always been home to a diverse and vibrant music scene. The Fisk Jubilee Singers (first to record “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” in 1909) were known the world over before Uncle Jimmy Thompson ever tuned his fiddle for that inaugural WSM broadcast in 1925. Folk, jazz, blues, country, gospel, world, Americana, classical, swing, funk…you name it, Nashville’s got it. And if you happen to be in the metropolitan area, there’s a good chance it’s playing in a club or a theater near you. Ryman Auditorium Seating capacity: 2,362 The Ryman has it all: mystique, history, fantastic acoustics—everything you’d want in a great music hall. It’s an icon. You feel the vibe when you walk in the door. It’s where the spirits of Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, and Johnny Cash reside. It started out in 1892 as a revival hall, the Union Gospel Tabernacle. The pews are still there, in case anyone forgets. From 1943 to 1974, WSM broadcast the Grand Ole Opry live from its stage, and it became known as the Mother Church of Country Music. Then for twenty years it stood empty, until 1994, when it was magnificently restored. Al Green, Bob Dylan, Jerry Lee Lewis, Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett, Van Morrison, Lucinda Williams, John Hiatt, and Bruce Springsteen have since graced its stage. ryman.com Dyer Observatory Outdoor seating Where else can you watch a sunset while listening to live music performed by some of Nashville’s brightest stars, then view real stars—the celestial kind—through a 24-inch telescope? Where else can you experience music in a place with connections to NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International)? Sometimes called the Mountain, the Dyer Observatory sits atop one of the highest peaks in the Nashville area. Since 1953, it’s been a place of learning and wonder for astronomers. It plays host to several outdoor music series: Music on the Mountain features live swing, big band, and Appalachian music; Bluebird on the Mountain presents Nashville’s finest songwriters. dyer.vanderbilt.edu Belcourt Theatre Seating capacity: 352 This historic landmark in Hillsboro Village opened in 1925 as a silent movie house. During the 1930s, it was home to the Nashville Children’s Theatre and, for two formative years, the Grand Ole Opry. By 1937 it was known as the Nashville Community Playhouse. In 1966, it was renamed the Belcourt Cinema. Like the Ryman, it fell on hard times. Then a grassroots nonprofit came to the rescue. Nowadays, this Nashville institution is the place to see independent, foreign, and classic films. It’s also a great place to hear live music. Performances range from internationally renowned acts such as Daniel Lanois, the Blind Boys of Alabama, J. J. Cale, and Nick Lowe to the hottest new musicians on the horizon. belcourt.org 3rd & Lindsley Seating capacity: 250 Everybody’s favorite neighborhood pub—even if you’re not from the neighborhood. There’s nothing pretentious here. Husband and wife owners Ron and Genice Brice have been running this place since 1991. Multilevel seating faces a corner stage equipped with one of the best sound systems in the city. Music happens two shows a night, seven nights a week. The Wooten Brothers, Bekka Bramlett, Raul Malo, Jimmy Hall and the Prisoners of Love, Jonell Mosser, Will Kimbrough, and John Cowan often perform. I once played here during a fierce winter snowstorm. About seven people (including Leon Russell) showed up. Even in those frigid conditions, it felt warm and friendly. 3rd & Lindsley is that kind of place. 3rdandlindsley.com Ford Theater, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Seating capacity: 213 This state-of-the-art indoor amphitheater is simply a great place to hear music. It’s also a great place to learn about some of the behind-the-scenes things that go into the making of music here in Nashville. The theater opened in May 2001 when the new Country Hall of Fame opened downtown. Located just off the museum lobby, it’s home to many great music-related programs, such as the annual artist-in-residence series, which has featured Jack Clement, Earl Scruggs, Tom T. Hall, and Jerry Douglas. Two ongoing quarterly series are Poets and Prophets, which features songwriting greats of country music (like Whitey Shafer, who wrote “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”), and Nashville Cats, which salutes session musicians like Reggie Young who play on the hits. Also, every Saturday notable Nashville songwriters sing their songs and answer questions from the audience. countrymusichall offame.com Station Inn Seating capacity: 175 How many nightclubs offer the original seats from Lester Flatt’s tour bus as a seating option? Only one. Open since 1974, the Station Inn is known worldwide for presenting the best in bluegrass and acoustic music. The Time Jumpers, a two-time Grammy-nominated western swing band, play every Monday. This show has become a favorite Monday night destination in Nashville. The Station Inn also showcases eclectic artists like performance poet Minton Sparks. Bluegrass jam sessions every Sunday. Music starts at 9:00. Seven nights a week. stationinn.com The Basement Seating capacity: 125 The Basement is exactly that—a basement. It sits cool and secluded below Grimey’s New & Preloved Music, which Rolling Stone proclaimed one of the best music stores in the country. The Basement is run by visionary Mike Grimes, aka Grimey, and Geoff Donovan. It has a full bar and serves pizza, but the emphasis is on live music. Two years ago, I saw the late great Tupper Saussy perform here in a rare concert appearance. Basement artists defy classification. The original bass player for Parliament-Funkadelic recently brought his group to the party. Other musicians who’ve played include J. D. Souther, Tommy Womack, Jewel, David Olney, Los Straitjackets, and…are you ready?…Metallica (in a secret concert)! Regardless of who or what is onstage, it’s always cool in the Basement. Closed on Sundays. thebasementnashville.com Bluebird Cafe Seating capacity: about 100 The Bluebird Cafe is known worldwide as a mecca for songwriters. Since its inception in 1982, this unassuming nightspot has been featured in a major motion picture (The Thing Called Love) and a book (The Bluebird Cafe Scrapbook) and has been named one of the best music clubs in America by Newsweek. It helped launch the careers of Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, and Kenny Chesney. The Bluebird is known primarily as a songwriter listening room, but every now and then a band cranks it up. Regardless, the emphasis is always on original music. The songwriter “in-the-round” format (where four songwriters sit facing each other in the middle of the room) supposedly originated here. On Sunday nights, aspiring songwriters can be heard for free (with a $7 food and beverage minimum). But every night of the week, there’s music. One time in 1992, after a gig, I was packing up my guitar when Townes Van Zandt burst through the Bluebird door. His wife had just given birth to a baby girl and Townes was out celebrating. At one point, he said in a very courtly manner, “May I have this dance, Miss Chapman?” As the PA played “Waltz Across Texas” and the waitresses stacked chairs up on the tables, Townes carefully and tenderly waltzed me around the room. The Bluebird is where time stands still. bluebirdcafe.com F. Scott's Restaurant & Jazz Bar Seating capacity: about 50 The lounge at F. Scott’s features traditional jazz seven nights a week. I’m talking about world-class jazz performed by Nashville’s finest jazz musicians. Beegie Adair plays every Thursday; the Birdsong Trio packs them in whenever they play; and newcomer Mick Utley is serving notice. If you’re hungry for more than jazz, there’s always the restaurant, which is one of Nashville’s finest. fscotts.com Tootsies Orchid Lounge Seating capacity: “We just fill it up,” says the manager. “That's all I know.” World-famous Tootsies Orchid Lounge is the last of the Lower Broadway honky-tonks. Before it was Tootsies, it was Mom’s. Tootsie Bess bought Mom’s in 1960. Faron Young, Mel Tillis, Patsy Cline, and other stars used to wet their whistle in Tootsies’ back room before taking the stage at the Opry (the backstage steps of the Ryman are directly across the alley from Tootsies’ back door). Word has it that Roger Miller wrote “Dang Me” here. Country bands play from morning until the wee hours, seven nights a week. Tootsies has become a bit touristy over the years, but for atmosphere, you can’t beat it. tootsies.net |
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