Nashville Guide » 10Best Bet Awards » Colorful Characters
Nashville 10Best Bet AwardsColorful Characters
We all love to people-watch, to catch glimpses of celebs, and to brag that we saw so-and-so. This category showcases citizens who've made their mark on a town. Here, you'll uncover coffee shops where local politicians gather, corners where quirky street performers show off, and places that have lively shop keepers or dynamic chefs on staff. Discover where these famous folks hang out, where they work, what they eat, and even more that you didn't even know you'd want to know!
Anonymous 2nd Ave Street Musician
Address: 2nd Ave, between Broadway and Commerce St, Nashville, TN
A fixture on the downtown scene, one particularly recognizable man has been playing acoustic guitar for tips every weekend for at least a decade. Second Avenue and Broadway, while famous for honky-tonks and the Wild Horse Saloon, is also a well-known spot for street musicians, who ply their trade with as much passion...
Address: Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant, 4142 Old Hillsboro Rd, Franklin, TN 37064
The historic Leiper's Fork neighborhood in Franklin, a community that's home to many country music icons, is worth a short drive south of town. At famous Puckett's Grocery, stars like Ashley Judd, Tim McGraw, and Faith Hill pop in for barbecued pork from time to time, and Alan Jackson, who lives nearby, is owner of...
Edgar Meyer • Bluegrass Musician
Address: Park Cafe, 4403 Murphy Rd, Nashville, TN 37209
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This cozy, independently owned restaurant serves creative American dishes and is a great place to take a date. Edgar Meyer – Nashville native, renowned bass player, composer, and virtuoso instrumentalist – is a regular at the bar when he's not on tour with the likes of Bela Fleck, Yo-Yo Ma, and Joshua Bell.
Jack White (The White Stripes) and Chris Robinson (The Black Crowes)
Address: Grimey's Record Store, 1604 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
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Not just a country music town, Nashville also has a strong rock scene, as a trip to Grimey's will attest. One of the country's finest independent record stores, it stocks an impressive collection of "new & preloved" music and hosts in-store sessions with many local and national indie rock bands. Jack White of The...
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban • Actor and Musician
Address: South Street Crab Shack, 907 20th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212
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Featuring open-air dining and barbecue, this little shack is reportedly one of the Australian couple's favorite hangouts. While Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have been spotted around town at various locations, by now they can almost be called regulars at this Music Row eatery. If you don't spot the couple, you can at...
Phil Kaufman • Concert Road Manager
Address: Five Points Bars, Woodland St, Nashville, TN
One of the most famous men behind the music scene, Phil Kaufman, road manager and confidante, has worked for The Rolling Stones, Emmylou Harris, Frank Zappa, Vince Gill, Gram Parsons, and more. Also known in music circles as the man who stole Parson's corpse and burned it in the desert, Kaufman is a local celebrity at...
Reverend James Lawson • Civil Rights Activist
Address: Vanderbilt Divinity School, 411 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37240
Reverend Lawson, the 78-year-old civil rights leader and pastor, was expelled from Vanderbilt University in 1960 for his involvement in Nashville's civil rights movement. Last year, he was invited back as Distinguished University Professor. He can be found today on the VU campus teaching a popular class on non-violent...
Address: Home Depot, 7665 Hwy 70 S, Nashville, TN 37221
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The city's most famous football player (even after leaving the Titans), Steve McNair is spotted regularly at the mega home improvement store. Employees say he lives nearby, and word is that he enjoys working on his home when he's not playing football. If spotting an NFL player in civilian clothes is your thing, the...
Address: Bongo Java, 2007 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212
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Strangely enough, this local coffee shop drew legal opposition from Mother Teresa in 1996, when it began to display a cinnamon roll that, by happenstance, resembled her image. Bongo eventually adopted the name "NunBun" as a promotional gimmick for the pastry and reached a settlement with Mother Teresa. However, in...
Address: Trim Salon and Barber, 2315 S 12th Ave, Nashville, TN 37204
Voted best salon in 2006 and 2007 by the Nashville Scene readers poll, this retro-themed salon offers cuts, color, and styling for men and women. The full-service salon features dark paneled walls, porcelain sinks, and original 1940s barber chairs. Fresh-brewed coffee and complimentary shoeshines are welcome perks....
