1 big thing: Iconic quarterbacks could be in play for Titans

Take your career to the next level

Isbell and Shires are Record Store Day ambassadors

2.  Isbell and Shires are Record Store Day ambassadors

3. The Setlist

Illustration of a microphone singing "The Setlist."

A new happy hour option for Cummins Station

4. A new happy hour option

Today's weather: Freezing rain is possible this morning, complicating commutes to work and school. High of 37°.

Situational awareness: Metro public schools will open two hours late because of the weather. Several other local school districts are delayed or closed today.

😀 It's a great day to contribute to our newsroom by becoming a member! 

Today's newsletter is 929 words — a 3.5-minute read.

🌹 Our "Bachelor" update: Nashville natives Christina and Bailey earned roses on last night's episode and advanced to the next round of "The Bachelor."

🎧 Nate's song of the day is "I Think I Might Be Weird" by F---ed Up. 

🔍 Adam is obsessed with "Poker Face," a new murder mystery show starring Natasha Lyonne. It's reminiscent of "Murder, She Wrote," if Jessica Fletcher chain smoked and cursed while determining whodunit.

This newsletter was edited by Jen Ashley and copy edited by Carlin Becker.

Nashville

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Nashville. Written by Nate Rau and Adam Tamburin.

Axios Nashville

Nashville Mayor John Cooper won't seek re-election

1 big thing: 🚨 Cooper's big announcement

This is an Axios Nashville Thought Bubble — our snap-analysis dispatch to break down events that shape our metro as they happen.

This newsletter is 220 words, a 2-minute read.

Thanks for reading! We'll be back with a regularly-scheduled edition of Axios Nashville tomorrow morning.

Axios Nashville Thought Bubble

1 big thing: State GOP targets Metro — again

2. Peaceful protests in Memphis

Demonstrators protest the death of Tyre Nichols.

Illustration of a neon sign in the shape of an arrow reading "THE SETLIST."

Local shops open new airport locations

4. Several new businesses open inside BNA

Is a new job in your future?

5. Music Monday: February concerts

Good morning! Another Monday morning has arrived.

Today's weather: A gray, drizzly day with a high of 50°.

Today's newsletter is 972 words — a 3.5-minute read. 

🏈 Nate is picking Chiefs over Eagles in the Super Bowl.

🤔 Adam can't stop thinking about "The Banshees of Inisherin" months after watching it.

Tennessee's infrastructure needs keep growing

1 big thing: Infrastructure needs keep growing

Illustration of Tennessee state surrounded by scaffolding.

Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow finalists for Rock Hall

2. Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow finalists for Rock Hall

Illustration of the windows of the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, doubling as a graphic equalizer.

4. Fact-checking the groundhog

A new career is waiting for you

5. 📸 1 photo to go: Memphis mourns

Good morning, woodchuck-chuckers! It's Groundhog Day.

❄️ Today's weather: A wintry mix of snow and rain with a high of 39°.

Situational awareness: Metro Nashville Public Schools are delayed two hours again today.

Today's newsletter is 884 words — a 3-minute read.

🎶 Nate's song of the day is "$20" by boygenius.

Inside Nashville mayor's decision not to run

1 big thing: Cooper won't run again

Plan your future

Previewing Nashville's wide-open mayoral race

2. The road ahead

Illustration of Nashville City Hall with lines radiating from it.

Illustration of the "Batman building" in Nashville with a bat-signal, with a note instead of a bat, shining on it.

Tyre Nichols' funeral to take place in Memphis

4. Memphis grieves

Good morning. It's Wednesday. Please let us know if you plan on running for mayor.

Today's weather: After a round of winter weather overnight, the high will be 38°.

Situational awareness: Metro Schools and many other local districts are closed today because of the weather.

Today's newsletter is 968 words — a 3.5-minute read.

Nate's song of the day is "Losing My Edge" by LCD Soundsystem. 

Adam has already been back for his second helping of fries at Cledis. 

Mayor John Cooper announced Tuesday he will not seek re-election and will instead step down at the end of his first term.

"We've gotten more accomplished in the [last] 40 months than any 40 months in Metro history, and we will finish strong," Cooper said during a brief speech announcing his decision.

Cooper said he would prioritize investing in public safety and education, addressing homelessness and working on the revitalization of the East Bank for the remainder of his term.

Why it matters: Cooper's departure makes for a wide-open race for the mayoral election on Aug. 3. Three credible candidates have already launched campaigns with many more likely to enter the fray.

The deadline to qualify for the ballot is May 18.

What he's saying: "I have no doubt there are and will be many exceptional people applying for the job," Cooper said. "They should. We need them to."

"I hope Nashville's next mayor will use the platform we have created and build on it."

💭 Nate's thought bubble: It's been a tumultuous era of Nashville politics.

Dating back to Mayor Megan Barry's shocking resignation in 2018, the city is on the brink of having its fourth mayor in just over five years.

The upcoming mayor's race figures to be a political bloodbath with the range of a dozen viable candidates entering the fray.

Mayor John Cooper announced Tuesday he will not seek re-election and will instead step down at the end of his first term.&quot;We&#x27;ve gotten more accomplished in the [last] 40 months than any 40 months in Metro history, and we will finish strong,&quot; Cooper said during a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="brief speech" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/foxnashville/videos/924753798693609" data-vars-content-id="3297764d-8031-4b29-9ece-d5d9560e2204" data-vars-headline="Nashville Mayor John Cooper won&#x27;t seek re-election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/foxnashville/videos/924753798693609" target="_blank">brief speech</a> announcing his decision.

News

Politics

Three acts with deep Nashville ties are finalists for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Driving the news: Country legend Willie Nelson, pop-rocker Sheryl Crow and Jack White's most popular rock project the White Stripes were among the finalists announced Tuesday.

Between the lines: Nelson, like this year's inductee Dolly Parton, may not be closely associated with rock music, but his influence and longevity make him a good bet to be inducted.

Crow and White relocated to Nashville later in their careers, but have become local standard bearers for the city's music scene.

Flashback: Nelson helped shepherd in country music's Outlaw movement, wrote the iconic Patsy Cline hit "Crazy" and recorded one of the genre's most critically acclaimed albums "Red Headed Stranger."

Nelson, who spent the formative years of his career in Nashville, is one of the most decorated country artists of all time with 11 CMA awards and 12 Grammys, including the lifetime achievement award in 1999. The Texas native was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1993.

Of note: White's time with the White Stripes was winding down when he moved here. The band's bluesy, guitar-driven sound ushered in a new era of rock music in the early 2000s with hits like "Seven Nation Army."

In Nashville, his Third Man Records is a community music hub with a record shop, performance space and independent record label under its umbrella.

Zoom out: Crow's unique brand of music spans rock, country, pop and folk music. 

Her resume would seem to make her a lock to one day be inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame. She's had 19 songs on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, five platinum albums and won nine Grammy awards.

All three acts have deep ties to Nashville.

Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow at the CMA Awards in 2019. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images for the Country Music Association

Music

Three acts with deep Nashville ties are finalists for the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame.Driving the news: Country legend Willie Nelson, pop-rocker Sheryl Crow and Jack White&#x27;s most popular rock project the White Stripes were among the finalists announced Tuesday.

The Titans are on the short list of teams that could be in play for future Hall of Fame quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady this offseason.

State of play: Neither quarterback has said if they will retire or return to play another season. But if they come back, the Titans are seen by analysts as a possible landing spot.

Brady is a free agent and therefore able to sign with any team he chooses. Rodgers is under contract to the Green Bay Packers, but if he returns, a trade is possible.

Why it matters: The Titans regressed this season with an array of injuries and a passing game that failed to compensate for the loss of A.J. Brown.

The theory is that a top-tier quarterback like Rodgers or Brady would provide a needed jolt.

Rodgers and Brady are two of the most accomplished quarterbacks in NFL history, with MVP trophies, Super Bowl titles and many passing records under their belts.

Rodgers and Brady are also two of the league's most marketable stars.

Between their corporate sponsorship deals and intensely scrutinized off-field lives, few players can move the financial needle for a franchise like they can.

By the numbers: Oddsmakers are warming to the possibility that Rodgers and Brady could be on the move.

Bookies.com set the odds that Rodgers returns to the Packers, where he's played his entire career, at 30.8%. Should Rodgers be traded from Green Bay, the Titans are the fourth most-likely landing spot with a 9.1% chance of coming to Nashville.

The odds of acquiring Brady are slightly worse. The Titans are the eighth most-likely landing spot, according to betting odds from DraftKings.

What's happening: ESPN reporter Adam Schefter added fuel to the fire when he reported last week that if Rodgers is traded, it would be to an AFC team like the Titans.

"I don't think there's any way the Packers would trade him in the NFC. And if they do go ahead and trade him, it would be to the AFC. So start having all the fun you want with all the teams in the AFC that need quarterbacks."

The latest: During an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" Monday, Schefter doubled down on the possibility Rodgers could be traded during this offseason. Schefter listed the Titans as one of the AFC possibilities.

Of note: Rodgers reportedly purchased property in Williamson County a year ago.

Yes, but: The Titans already have a starting quarterback under contract in Ryan Tannehill. Considering their multiple needs at receiver and offensive line, it may make more financial sense to upgrade the offense in those areas and keep Tannehill.

Acquiring Rodgers would cost the Titans a draft choice and a deal comes with complicated salary cap implications. At 45 years old, Brady is already the oldest quarterback in NFL history so trading for him could be a one-season stopgap.

Titans could be in play for Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers

Neither has said if they will retire or return to the NFL.

Tom Brady and Aaron Rogers stand next to each other.

Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers at a golf tournament last year. Photo: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images for The Match

Tom Brady

The Titans are on the short list of teams that could be in play for future Hall of Fame quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady this offseason.

Sports

The Nashville political world was abuzz with gossip following Mayor John Cooper's announcement Tuesday that he will not seek re-election.

What's happening: Metro Councilmembers Sharon Hurt and Freddie O'Connell and former city official Matt Wilsthire are already running for mayor.

The intrigue: Perhaps the most notable potential candidate to confirm their possible interest is former Mayor Megan Barry, who tells Axios she's already fielding calls from supporters pushing her to run again.

Barry resigned from office in 2018 following the revelation that she had an affair with the head of her police security detail.

She was replaced by then-Vice Mayor David Briley, who won re-election in 2018 before being thumped by Cooper in the 2019 runoff.

Prior to Barry, the three previous mayors served eight-year terms. The high turnover after her departure has created an air of tumultuousness. 

What we're watching: In addition to Barry, state lawmakers Rep. Bob Freeman, Sen. Heidi Campbell and Sen. Jeff Yarbro are potential challengers.

Metro Councilmember Bob Mendes, who watched Cooper's press conference Tuesday in person, confirmed to Axios he's interested in the job. Davidson County Assessor Vivian Wilhoite announced she's forming an exploratory committee for a possible run, and Juvenile Court Clerk Lonnell Matthews tweeted a cryptic message as well.

Other viable candidates include activist Odessa Kelly, attorney Charles Robert Bone and businessman Jim Gingrich.

In short, this year's mayor's race will be a bloody free-for-all.

The Nashville political world was abuzz with gossip following Mayor John Cooper's announcement.

Photo illustration: Allie Carl/Axios; Photo: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

The Nashville political world was abuzz with gossip following Mayor John Cooper&#x27;s announcement Tuesday that he will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="not seek re-election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/01/31/mayor-john-cooper-nashville-wont-seek-reelection" data-vars-content-id="7c902923-4457-4430-b5b8-0f1893c71f4b" data-vars-headline="Previewing Nashville&#x27;s wide-open mayoral race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/01/31/mayor-john-cooper-nashville-wont-seek-reelection" target="_self">not seek re-election</a>.What&#x27;s happening: Metro Councilmembers Sharon Hurt and Freddie O&#x27;Connell and former city official Matt Wilsthire are already running for mayor.<ul><li>That&#x27;s just the beginning.</li></ul>

Nashville politics experienced yet another tectonic shift Tuesday as Mayor John Cooper announced he would not seek re-election.

Cooper's replacement will give Nashville its fourth mayor in 5.5 years.

State of play: Cooper has been famously wishy-washy about election decisions, and it became clear in recent weeks he was uncommitted to running again. 

The mayor made his final decision over the weekend in consultation with his wife and alerted his full staff Tuesday morning.

Why it matters: Cooper is the first full-term mayor to not seek re-election since Mayor Bill Boner in 1991. His once-in-a-generation decision jolted the city's power center, as several heavyweights openly considered joining the three existing candidates vying to replace Cooper.

With Nashville's congressional representation newly splintered between Republican districts, the mayor's office has a heightened importance for ambitious Democrats.

What we're watching: The deadline to qualify for the Aug. 3 election is May 18.

Reality check: Cooper was perceived as a reluctant mayor given his indecision before launching a campaign in 2019.

Then-Metro Councilman Cooper announced he would not run for mayor in February, reversed course, and entered the race in April.

The big picture: Since taking office in September 2019, Cooper has faced a financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, a devastating tornado and the Christmas Day bombing. He hired a new police chief in 2020. Last year, he began negotiating a deal to build a new stadium for the Titans.

Cooper said he would spend the remainder of his term focused on funding public safety and education, addressing homelessness and revitalizing the East Bank.

"We have accomplished a historic amount, but we’ve got a lot of work still to get done," he said. "Let's all get back to work."

Cooper reiterated his aversion to campaigning at his press conference.

He said his top priorities would be easier to tackle "without a campaign and with my full focus."

"The truth is I never wanted to campaign. I wanted to govern."

Between the lines: Cooper's retirement brings the family's recent political dynasty to a close. His brother, former Rep. Jim Cooper, retired from Congress last year, ending a two-decade run representing Nashville in Washington, D.C. 

Flashback: The mayor spent his time on the Metro Council concentrating on land use, economic development incentives and financial issues. His campaign promised a deeper focus on Nashville's neighborhoods over the downtown tourist district.

Yes, but: Two of his highest profile accomplishments — an economic incentive package for Oracle to bring corporate jobs here and a new stadium deal with the Tennessee Titans — seemed to contradict his campaign messaging.

In his two final years on the council, Cooper voted against raising property taxes. But then during his first year as mayor, he led the passage of the largest property tax increase in Metro government history.

Be smart: While Cooper entered office expecting to correct Nashville's finances, he couldn't have fathomed the crises he would have to navigate.

From the lectern Tuesday, Cooper touted his investments in education, which include the highest teacher pay raise in state history, and public safety. Cooper's decision to promote John Drake to police chief was particularly well received.

Financing a new $2.1 billion Titans stadium has occupied the last year of his tenure. The deal has initial approval from the council, but a final agreement is still pending.

"I think this mayor's legacy will be navigating the county through some really tough situations that were either created by previous leadership or acts of God. Things like the pandemic and the tornado," Metro Councilember Zach Young tells Axios.

"And he's leaving office with Nashville in much better financial standing than when he came into office."

Nashville is getting its fourth mayor in 5.5 years.

Nashville politics experienced yet another tectonic shift Tuesday as Mayor John Cooper announced he would not seek re-election.<ul><li>Cooper&#x27;s replacement will give Nashville its fourth mayor in 5.5 years.</li></ul>

Nate Rau

Stories

Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow finalists for Rock Hall

Previewing Nashville's wide-open mayoral race

Inside Nashville mayor's decision not to run

Nashville Mayor John Cooper won't seek re-election

Titans could be in play for Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers

Newsletter editions

🛣️ Billions in road needs

Mayoral free-for-all

❗️ Mayor Cooper won't run

🏈 Gridiron gossip

✂️ GOP's RNC revenge