Nashville Music

Nashville, Tennessee, has a nickname. It's called “Music City, USA.” Nashville got its name because music companies record lots of music there. Check out your favorite CD or MP3. It may have been made in Nashville.

The Grand Ole Opry

What kinds of music come from Nashville? First of all, music fans know Nashville as the home of country music. A country-music radio show began in Nashville a long time ago. It was called the Grand Ole Opry. It began on November 28, 1925. Ever since then, people have listened to it every Saturday night. It is the oldest radio show in the United States.

The Grand Ole Opry brought many country stars to Nashville. In 1946, three Nashville men opened a studio. The studio was for recording music. Many country stars made record albums there.

The studio was a big success. One song recorded there sold a million copies. It was the first million-seller from Nashville.

Music Row

Soon, other studios opened. Record companies opened offices in Nashville. Writers moved there, too. The writers wrote songs. Country singers sang the songs.

By the 1950s, there were music businesses all along 16th Avenue South. That's the street in Nashville that was nicknamed “Music Row.”

Over time, Music Row grew. The area now covers many more streets. It is home to hundreds of music businesses. Some music stars even sing about it.

Music in Nashville Today

Today, Music Row is not just for country music. Gospel music and some rock music is made there, too.

But country is still the main music of Nashville. Dolly Parton and Randy Travis are two of many country stars who make music in Nashville.

Nashville is a big city. It is home to many kinds of businesses. But Nashville is famous for its music business.