Nashville, Tennessee grew from a foundation built on music, its the thread that connects the life and soul of the city and its people. I had the opportunity to spend the weekend in Nashville and the downtown area was hopping with different types of music. It made me think how did Nashville become known as the music city.

It was in the 1800's that Nashville started to become known as the music city. Fisk Jubilee Singers from the Fisk University was one of the first musical acts that conducted around the world tour, this tour was helping to raise funds to assist with the education of freed slaves after the Civil War.

Ryman Auditorium was built in 1892 and was originally named the "Union Gospel Tabernacle." This was the largest auditorium, it was nicknamed the "Carnegie Hall of the South," attracting musicians from all over the world. The Fisk Jubilee Singers were one of the first musical concerts in 1904, from there up until 1955, there were such acts as Marian Anderson, Caruso, Sandra Bernhardt, Louis Armstrong.

John Philip Sousa and Nat King Cole. Beginning in 1943, the Grand Ole Opry began using the Ryman stage every weekend, acts such as Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, and Elvis all performed for the first time on this stage. The Grand Ole Opry used the Ryman Auditorium every weekend up until 1974.

Ryman celebrates 125 years as one of the most famous concert venues in America where stars who normally play arenas and even stadiums perform in the 2,362-seat venue. Some of the famous performers include Bruce Springsteen, Garth Brooks, Paul Simon, The Foo Fighters, Aretha Franklin, Jack White, James Brown, Neil Diamond, and Diana Ross.

Nashville became known as the “Songwriting Capital of the World.” Songwriters come to Bluebird Cafe to perform their original music “in the round” setting that was created in Nashville. The Nashville Songwriters Association International, NSAI, is located in Nashville it works to protect artists’ rights. The annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival puts these songwriters in the spotlight. Over the course of five days, more than 300 songwriters perform at venues around town.

Nashville is not just country music, its pop, rock, bluegrass, Americana, jazz, classical, contemporary Christian, blues, and soul music. Rolling Stone recently gave Nashville the title of “Best Music Scene.” Artists such as, Robert Plant, Kid Rock, Black Eyed Peas, Bon Jovi, and Michael Buble, among many others, have come to Music City to write and record.

Names like Kings of Leon, Justin Timberlake, The Black Keys, Keith Urban, Michael McDonald, Keb’ Mo’, Sheryl Crow, Paramore, Hot Chelle Rae, and Jack White have chosen to call Nashville home.

I had the opportunity to spend several days in downtown Nashville live music was everywhere.The restaurants and bars had open doorways or windows that had stages right in front, so anyone walking by could stop and listen.

These world-famous honky tonks offer free live music 365 days a year, with more than 180 music venues around town ranging from large arenas and concert halls to small clubs and featuring nearly every genre of music, it’s easy to see why this is the city that “music calls home.”

Nashville’s connection to music is unequaled, and its reputation as Music City has been consistently proven for over 200 years.