Nashville is home to many awesome landmarks, venues, and notable figures. Let’s talk about a few that are definitely most legendary. So what’s the top 5 coolest things about Nashville, Tennessee? Read ahead to get down to the nitty-gritty with this Music city.
Capital City
In some states, we look at the capital city and think, shouldn’t it be “insert a more well-known or obvious city here”? I’m reminded of California with about 5 more popular cities than Sacramento. However, that is not the case with Tennessee. Nashville and Tennessee fit like Dallas and Texas. It just sounds right and it is right, and that brings pride to those that call this city home.
Not only is it the capital, but it is also the most populous city in the state and is very well known for its deep roots in the music industry, especially blues, folk, country, and jazz. It is probably the most well-known city in Tennessee. There are tons of your favorite singers who have recorded, lived, worked, toured this city, and written songs about it.
F.M. Radio
To go hand in hand with its music industry reputation, Nashville was the first city nationwide to be granted an FM broadcasting license. Along with that title, Nashville is home to the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame. In the 1950s, on WSM-AM radio, David Cobb first dubbed Nashville “the Music City” on air and it became the state’s official slogan. I think that it wraps a bow around the city’s most well-known industry.
The Parthenon
This would be the selling point for me if I were looking at Nashville houses for rent. Nashville holds an actual one-to-one scale replica of the famous landmark The Parthenon of Greece. Even Greece doesn’t have a full-size Parthenon! It was built in 1897 as part of the Tennessee Centennial Exposition. Inside it holds the full-scale replica of Athena as it was originally in ancient Greece.
This is now over 100 years old in the United States, but the real Parthenon was built around 447 B.C. and was made as an honor to Athena, the Greek God of War. The whole Acropolis of Athens is regarded as a historical, sacred, and homage to the victory over Persian invaders.
Little Kurdistan
South Nashville is home to the largest community of ethnic Kurds in the United States. Some of these communities are traced back to Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Turkey. In the early 1990s, the ORR picked Nashville as the place to resettle refugees fleeing from Iraq. Nashville has then become a hub for many other communities as well.
In this area, there are many Kurdish people who practice many religions and faiths and all live in peace together. They are hoping to create more of their homes in Nashville to bring out their true heritage.
Vinyl is King
One of the most highly regarded mediums of the modern music industry, vinyl records are still being printed in Nashville today. United Record Pressing has been open since 1949 and has pressed records for the best of the absolute best in the industry such as Dolly Parton, Fall Out Boy, and Michael Jackson. In 1972 they pressed the first Beatles 7-inch to ever be released in North America.
During the 60s, much of the south was still segregated and many professionals in the music industry were of African American descent and had a difficult time finding somewhere to stay. United decided to build the United Hilton Sweet which was then renamed the Motown Suite. It was an apartment living space that they would offer to managers and producers and everyone who needed a place to stay.
Although these may not be the first things that come to mind when you think of Nashville, they sure are interesting to learn about. Next time you visit Nashville, search for a Nashville roommate, or after you move into a new place nearby, be sure to check out what else they have to offer!
