Nashville Crossroads: Music City History
Nashville Crossroads: Music City History
By Giles Kennedy
Family and Travel Columnist
It all started in 1873.
Fisk University had a group of singers, singing spiritual songs; “The Fisk Jubilee Singers”.
When visiting England and singing to an audience of Queen Elizabeth I.
Her response to their extreme talent and harmony.
“You must come from a musical city”
https://www.fiskjubileesingers.org/history
The rest is history.
Long before the likes of Johnny Cash, B.B. King, Elvis Presley recorded in studios along the Cumberland River; it was a crossroad of musical talent.
The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, housed in the Nashville Memorial Auditorium, chronicles this.
https://www.musicianshalloffame.com/
It features not only the Grammy Legends Gallery, but artifacts gathered by artists and session musicians who have recorded right here in the Music City.
They have rotating exhibits as well; featuring interactive history walks through the careers of Jimi Hendrix, Roy Orbison, and others.
They also have walk-through displays representing Nashville, Detroit, Atlanta, Memphis and other iconic recording capitals in the US.
Joe Chambers (RIP 2022) and his wife Linda were passionate about making this collection accessible to all.
The staff and volunteers are extremely insightful on the Museum’s mission and the history of all inside.
I had the pleasure of meeting his wife Linda in between her giving tours to a group of local musicians.
This is so worth the stop and blessed to soak what little we did today. There is so much to see.
The Mike Curb Family Foundation had a large part helping this museum and another down that street.
Christian and Gospel Music have called Nashville home for many years. Curb Records released and worked with just as many Country artists as they have Christian artists.
Museum of Christian and Gospel Music shares the journey of early Gospel music recording, the “Jesus People” movement, and today’s Christian Music ministry.
Located at the base of the Lipscomb University Idea Center on Commerce Street; stone’s throw away from the Ryman Auditorium and Lower Broadway.
This museum is just as intuitive as the Musicians Hall of Fame.
Each museum shows early and current recording technologies as well the impact of modern music.
Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley are all three time Hall of Famers.
The Country Music, Rock and Roll and Gospel Music Hall of Fames collectively.
Each museum has displays reflecting their influence.
These museums are bookends.
Even if you are not into faith based music; the impact these music genres have made on Nashville have been major.
Both museums are worth the visit in Nashville.
Always remember; life is an adventure. Get out there and live it. Sing loud if able.
