Nashville is more than just country music and cowboy boots. As you gear up for Champions Circle 2025, discover some of Music City’s lesser-known gems that add to its rich tapestry.
1. The Athens of the South
Nashville boasts a full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Centennial Park, earning it the nickname “Athens of the South.” Inside, you’ll find a 42-foot statue of Athena, the tallest indoor sculpture in the Western Hemisphere.
2. Birthplace of FM Broadcasting
In 1941, Nashville’s WSM radio station received the first FM broadcasting license in the U.S., pioneering a new era in radio.
3. The Real “Music City” Origin
The moniker “Music City” was popularized in the 1950s by WSM announcer David Cobb, but it dates back to 1873 when Queen Victoria reportedly dubbed Nashville “Music City” after hearing the Fisk Jubilee Singers.
4. Hot Chicken’s Fiery Tale
Nashville’s signature dish, hot chicken, was born out of revenge. Thornton Prince’s girlfriend spiced up his chicken as payback for his late nights, but he loved it, leading to the creation of Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack.
5. Elvis’s Christmas in July
Elvis Presley recorded over 200 songs at RCA Studio B. During a July session for a Christmas album, the crew decorated the studio with lights to set the mood — a tradition that continues today.
6. The Hermitage’s Hidden Histories
Andrew Jackson’s estate, The Hermitage, is not only a presidential home but also the site of a memorial honoring 61 enslaved individuals whose remains were discovered there in 2006.
7. Jefferson Street’s Musical Legacy
Once a hub for jazz and R&B, Jefferson Street hosted legends like Jimi Hendrix and Ray Charles. Today, the Jefferson Street Sound Museum preserves this rich musical history.
8. Velveeta Ice Cream, Anyone?
At Bad Idea, a restaurant in East Nashville, Chef Colby Rasavong serves Velveeta ice cream topped with yuzu granita — a nod to Southeast Asian savory desserts.
9. Bagel Boom
Nashville’s bagel scene is rising, literally. The city recently hosted its first Bagel Crawl, celebrating the surge of artisanal bagel shops across town.
10. Vinyl at the Library
Music lovers can now check out vinyl records from the Nashville Public Library, blending literary and musical cultures in a uniquely Nashville way.