Nashville’s music roots took hold in 1925 when a local radio station began broadcasting live performances called Grand Ole Opry. Soon, country music guys and gals poured into Nashville for a chance to be a star and country was king of music in Nashville. Although country still ranks high in popularity today, there’s plenty of blues, rock, jazz, alternative, gospel and classical music in town.
Wander along Music Row and check out street performers hoping to be discovered. Attend a performance of the Grand Ole Opry. Let your hair down at a local dive one night and spend the next night in a tuxedo at the Nashville Symphony or Opera. Enjoy a classical harp performance at Dancing Waters or foot-tapping “honky-tonk” gig at Tootsies Orchid Lounge. Drop by the famous Bluebird Café where Garth Brooks got his start and Vince Gill performs frequently. Want to learn to line dance or do the swing? There’s music nightly and free dance lessons at the Wild Horse Saloon. You can even get a taste of New Orleans and lively zydeco at the Bourbon Streets Blues & Boogie Bar or do an Irish jig at Mulligan’s Pub. There’s music everywhere in Nashville.