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Overview
Nashville claims to have been a city of music from the very beginning. In 1779-1780, a settlement began in an area that would be called "Nashborough" after Revolutionary war hero General Francis Nash. Amongst the early settlers was Davy Crockett, who entertained with stories and the fiddle. In 1784, the name changed to Nashville, as the French "ville" replaced the British "borough," probably as a gesture of thanks to France for their help in the American Revolution. In the 1920s, the Grand Ole Opry had its first show, and the nickname "Music City" was born. At the close of the 20th century, Nashville witnessed the clean-up of many historic neighborhoods and a rebirth of downtown.
Not surprisingly, Nashville has been home to many prominent people, although there are few true notable natives. Former US Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, rapper Young Buck, and adventurer-turned-Nicaraguan President William Walker were all born in the city. Scores of musicians and various VIPs have resided in Nashville at some point, including Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash, Jimi Hendrix, Ben Folds, Al Gore and Oprah Winfrey.
In the early 1900s, President Roosevelt pronounced the local coffee "good to the last drop" and coined a slogan for the popular brand Maxwell House. Commerce didn't stop there; today, the low cost-of-living, no income tax and mild climate draw businesses from all over. The major industries are music writing and production, health care, higher education, publishing and transportation, and many companies have headquarters in the area, including Fortune 500 members HCA Inc., Caremark Rx and Dollar General Corporation.
Due to the constant influx of musicians, businessmen, and families, Nashville has become a diverse city. Nevertheless, Southern charm prevails, leading many to call it "the friendliest city," and the many colleges and churches in the area make for a fairly well-educated and religious population. The stereotypical laid-back, country-western style pervades Nashville, from the merchandise in the stores to the dress of the citizens, and it's not surprising to see cowboy boots with business suits!
Nashville is known for its music, so naturally, entertainment revolves around it. Live music of all genres can be heard in clubs, bars, hotels and other various locations throughout the city pretty much every night of the week. The District and Music Valley are the two main locales for nightlife, with the District being more animated and Music Valley more family-friendly (and the location of the Grand Ole Opry). If live music isn't your type of thing, check out one of the dance clubs, sports bars, coffeehouses, dinner theaters or comedy clubs that populate the area. For high culture, there's the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera and Tennessee Performing Arts Center to visit as well.
Shopping enthusiasts find that Nashville boasts shopping malls and districts galore. Country-western duds and antiques are the specialty, but with over 10 malls in the area, you can find almost anything you need. If you'd rather catch a game, the NFL Tennessee Titans and the Vanderbilt University Commodores offer exciting options. The City of Parks also proudly displays its natural beauty in the several thousands of acres of parkland throughout the area, so it's hard to be at a loss for something to do here.
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