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

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Nashville's own Brenda Lee is vying to take her Christmas anthem to the top of the charts this year.

Driving the news: Lee's 1958 recording of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" has been a holiday classic for decades, and each season it has reliably climbed into the upper echelon of the Billboard charts. (It's currently at No. 8 on the Hot 100 and is expected to vault higher next week.)

Since 2019, though, it has peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100, behind Mariah Carey's jolly juggernaut "All I Want for Christmas is You."

Billboard dubbed Lee's signature song "the perennial silver medalist of Yuletide pop."

Yes, but: Sixty-five years after she recorded it in a Nashville studio at age 13, Lee is a serious contender to claim the gold.

What she's saying: ​​"Now I gotta worry about Mariah," Lee quipped in a New York Times interview. "Get outta here, girl!"

Of course, the ever-lovable Little Miss Dynamite was quick to clarify she was joking.

"Oh, there's room for everybody. Her song's good, too. I love her singing."

State of play: Lee's label is marking the 65th anniversary of "Rockin'" with a renewed promotional push.

At 78, Lee filmed her first-ever music video, complete with cameos from Axios Nashville favorites Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood.

She released the new EP "A Rockin' Christmas with Brenda Lee," which includes a dreamy dance remix of the original track.

And she launched a new TikTok account where she shares behind-the-scenes anecdotes about her storied career.

Zoom in: Billboard reports Lee's song has "been building steam over the past half-decade."

Axios' David Lawler reports Lee has been lighting up the Spotify charts for some time. She has been #1 on Christmas Day each of the past three years, according to Spotify's daily list of the most-played songs in the U.S.

This year, Lee overtook Carey on Spotify's daily chart in mid-November.

Between the lines: Billboard's rankings involve multiple metrics, including radio plays and streaming data.

Carey's song leads in airplay, sales and on-demand U.S. streams, according to early data on next week's chart, per Billboard. But Lee is ahead in overall U.S. streams, and her streams are growing at a faster clip than Carey's.

Reality check: Lee is already a legend, no matter where she lands on the charts.

She was the first woman to be inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

At one point early in her career, The Beatles were her opening act.

What we're watching: Lee will perform next week on NBC's "Christmas at the Opry" special, airing at 7pm Dec. 7.

Brenda Lee's "Rockin'" eyes the top of Billboard chart

Lee's label is marking the 65th anniversary of "Rockin'" with a promotional push.

Brenda Lee rockin' earlier this year. Photo: Allen Clark/NBC via Getty Images

Move over, Mariah.<ul><li>Nashville&#x27;s own <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Brenda Lee" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/12/12/brenda-lee-rocks-christmas-charts-yet-again" data-vars-content-id="49a25914-f0c4-4cb9-8348-0f58d69754a2" data-vars-headline="Brenda Lee&#x27;s &quot;Rockin&#x27;&quot; eyes the top of Billboard chart" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/12/12/brenda-lee-rocks-christmas-charts-yet-again" target="_self">Brenda Lee</a> is vying to take her Christmas anthem to the top of the charts this year.</li></ul>Driving the news: Lee&#x27;s 1958 recording of &quot;Rockin&#x27; Around the Christmas Tree&quot; has been a holiday classic for decades, and each season it has reliably climbed into the upper echelon of the Billboard charts. (It&#x27;s currently at No. 8 on the Hot 100 and is expected to vault higher next week.)

News

There's plenty to enjoy around town this month.

Here's a guide to some of our favorite shows coming to Nashville in December.

Dec. 1-2: The Mavericks, Ryman Auditorium

Dec. 4: Samara Joy, Schermerhorn Symphony Center

Dec. 5-6: Boys II Men, Schermerhorn Symphony Center

Dec. 6: Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Bridgestone Arena

Dec. 13-23: Amy Grant and Vince Gill, Ryman Auditorium

Dec. 15-17: Handel's Messiah with the Nashville Symphony Chorus, Schermerhorn Symphony Center

Dec. 19: Jim Brickman, Schermerhorn Symphony Center

Dec. 30-31: Old Crow Medicine Show, Ryman Auditorium

Dec. 31: Nashville's Big Bash featuring Lainey Wilson, Thomas Rhett and Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park

Nashville's December concert calender

A guide to some of our favorite shows coming to Nashville.

Travis Scott in 2021. Photo: Erika Goldring/WireImage

There&#x27;s plenty to enjoy around town this month.<ul><li>Here&#x27;s a guide to some of our favorite shows coming to Nashville in December.</li></ul>

Things to Do

It's no surprise that Taylor Swift continues to reign supreme in the city where she started her career.

What's happening: Spotify released its year-end listening stats, known as Spotify Wrapped, this week. The streamer calculated the top draws for individuals and cities.

Zoom in: Swift was the top artist in Nashville — and pretty much everywhere else.

Music City's other top acts were Morgan Wallen, Drake, Zach Bryan and 21 Savage.

Meanwhile: Wallen logged three of the five most-played songs in Nashville this year, per Spotify.

The genres Nashvillians listened to the most were listed as rap, pop, hip-hop and contemporary country.

Nashville's top artists, songs on Spotify Wrapped

Swift was the top artist in Nashville — pretty much everywhere else.

Taylor Swift tops our Spotify Wrapped this year. Photo: Marcelo Endelli/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

It&#x27;s no surprise that Taylor Swift continues to reign supreme in the city where she started her career.What&#x27;s happening: Spotify released its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="year-end listening stats" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.spotify.com/2023-11-29/wrapped-top-songs-worldwide-map/" data-vars-content-id="2ccf6c71-237f-443c-8d35-487cdb82b86f" data-vars-headline="Nashville&#x27;s top artists, songs on Spotify Wrapped" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.spotify.com/2023-11-29/wrapped-top-songs-worldwide-map/" target="_blank">year-end listening stats</a>, known as Spotify Wrapped, this week. The streamer calculated the top draws for individuals and cities.

The influx of new flights and amenities at the Nashville International Airport has come with a frustrating flip side.

Driving the news: The combination of construction and record-breaking passenger volume has made things even worse in recent weeks, with media reports showing travelers leaving their rides and walking down the shoulder of Interstate 40 with their roller bags to get to the terminal.

The latest: BNA has rolled out new efforts to combat the traffic quagmire.

"We've listened to the traffic concerns, and we are making improvements to eliminate the congestion on the roadway," airport CEO Doug Kreulen said Wednesday in a statement.

Zoom in: One contributing factor to the congestion is drivers circling the terminal over and over while they wait to pick up passengers. (That problem was likely exacerbated when cell phone waiting lots were moved off-site due to construction.)

Beginning Friday, those drivers will get up to 30 minutes of free parking in the terminal garages.

Be mindful of your time, because new short-term parking rates will kick in after 30 minutes. If you stay for 30-45 minutes, for instance, you'll owe $5.

The free cell lot at 1415 Murfreesboro Pike remains open.

Be smart: Last month, BNA rolled out a new text alert program that provides real-time updates on airport traffic. You can also check for backups on the Tennessee Department of Transportation SmartWay map.

State of play: Metro Councilmember Russ Bradford, who represents the airport area, says he has seen an uptick in complaints this fall.

"A lot of people are upset and annoyed," he tells Axios. "We're lucky there have been no serious accidents caused by the backups."

Bradford says he wishes BNA had been more proactive about addressing predictable traffic logjams ahead of the Thanksgiving rush. Still, he says, adding free parking time is a "great step" toward easing congestion.

Bradford visited the airport as a traveler Wednesday, en route to Washington, D.C. His tip: Arrive two hours before your flight's scheduled departure.

The big picture: Construction to improve airport traffic is ongoing but will take a while.

A new I-40 exchange is being built at Donelson Pike that should improve access to the airport. The project was initially scheduled to finish in 2027, but TDOT tells Axios it is currently on track to wrap early.

The project includes shifting Donelson Pike, which will make room for a terminal road expansion.

Nashville airport addresses traffic problems with new parking policy

BNA rolled out new efforts to combat its traffic quagmire.

Illustration of a street sign with a person checking their watch.

The influx of new flights and amenities at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nashville International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/09/27/bna-airport-international-arrival-retail" data-vars-content-id="43315aab-05bb-47a0-82a4-2065014e0b3d" data-vars-headline="Nashville airport addresses traffic problems with new parking policy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/09/27/bna-airport-international-arrival-retail" target="_self">Nashville International Airport</a> has come with a frustrating flip side.<ul><li>To put it bluntly, the traffic stinks.</li></ul>Driving the news: The combination of construction and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="record-breaking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newschannel5.com/news/bna-expected-to-break-records-with-high-amount-of-departures-in-october" data-vars-content-id="43315aab-05bb-47a0-82a4-2065014e0b3d" data-vars-headline="Nashville airport addresses traffic problems with new parking policy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newschannel5.com/news/bna-expected-to-break-records-with-high-amount-of-departures-in-october" target="_blank">record-breaking</a> passenger volume has made things even worse in recent weeks, with media reports showing travelers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="leaving their rides" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newschannel5.com/news/passengers-are-feeling-forced-to-ditch-their-rides-to-get-to-nashville-airport-on-time-wheres-the-relief" data-vars-content-id="43315aab-05bb-47a0-82a4-2065014e0b3d" data-vars-headline="Nashville airport addresses traffic problems with new parking policy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newschannel5.com/news/passengers-are-feeling-forced-to-ditch-their-rides-to-get-to-nashville-airport-on-time-wheres-the-relief" target="_blank">leaving their rides</a> and walking down the shoulder of Interstate 40 with their roller bags to get to the terminal.

A new local nonprofit seeking to improve the mental health system for marginalized communities is hosting a benefit concert Friday featuring the celebrated singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun.

Country artist Fancy Hagood will also perform.

Why it matters: Funds raised through the benefit will go to Healing in the Margins, which works on two fronts to bolster mental health services for the LGBTQ+ community and for people of color.

The group established a therapy fund to connect people from those communities with care at no cost.

Another fund helps mental health professionals from those communities access advanced trauma training to ensure they can provide quality care to marginalized people.

What to know: The Healing in the Holidays benefit starts at 6:30pm on Friday at AB Hillsboro (formerly known as Anzie Blue). Tickets are still available.

What they're saying: Healing in the Margins executive director Ashley Hampton tells Axios that her organization believes "systemic change is needed in mental health and we are committed to making that happen."

"For too long, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ folks have been left out of the conversation regarding access to mental health care."

"At Healing in the Margins we support community members seeking care, the clinicians who provide the therapy and [those] who want to better support their BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ community."

Benefit featuring Joy Oladokun raises money for mental health care

The Healing in the Holidays benefit starts at 6:30pm on Dec. 1.

Joy Oladokun performs at Ryman Auditorium in 2021 

Joy Oladokun at the Ryman in 2021. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images

A new local nonprofit seeking to improve the mental health system for marginalized communities is hosting a benefit concert Friday featuring the celebrated singer-songwriter<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Joy Oladokun" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/15/arts/music/joy-oladokun-proof-of-life.html" data-vars-content-id="c7c4b5b8-707b-4875-85cd-3ab622504869" data-vars-headline="Benefit featuring Joy Oladokun raises money for mental health care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/15/arts/music/joy-oladokun-proof-of-life.html" target="_blank"> Joy Oladokun</a>.<ul><li>Country artist Fancy Hagood will also perform.</li></ul>Why it matters: Funds raised through the benefit will go to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Healing in the Margins" data-vars-click-url="https://www.healinginthemargins.com/" data-vars-content-id="c7c4b5b8-707b-4875-85cd-3ab622504869" data-vars-headline="Benefit featuring Joy Oladokun raises money for mental health care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.healinginthemargins.com/" target="_blank">Healing in the Margins</a>, which works on two fronts to bolster mental health services for the LGBTQ+ community and for people of color.

Any Tennessee parent could use state money to send their kids to private school under Gov. Bill Lee's new plan for universal school vouchers.

Why it matters: The Education Freedom Scholarship Act, announced Tuesday, will be a top priority for the Lee administration during the 2024 legislative session. Lawmakers and advocacy groups are already lining up for and against the measure, which would have a monumental impact on K-12 education in Tennessee.

By the numbers: The plan would allow some 20,000 students to get about $7,075 each for private school tuition or home schooling during the 2024-25 academic year. That adds up to more than $141 million in state funding.

Half of those students would have to meet requirements for family income or other factors in the first year. Income requirements would fall away in 2025-26, opening all 20,000 vouchers up for universal eligibility — though lower-income families would get priority if demand exceeds supply.

Lee's website touting his plan says additional slots would be added over time "until all Tennessee students who desire a scholarship are awarded one."

Flashback: Lee's administration pushed for the creation of a voucher program during his first days in office in 2019. It passed the legislature by one vote, but only after lawmakers amended it to apply in just Davidson and Shelby counties.

Hamilton County was added to the program earlier this year.

What he's saying: "For many, many years, I've hoped for this day and this opportunity for the children of this state," Lee said Tuesday at a ceremony kickstarting his universal voucher campaign, where he was flanked by leading Republican lawmakers and Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Lee and others said that giving Tennessee parents the choice to send their children to private school would improve overall student outcomes.

Parents attending the event said vouchers had enabled their children to thrive academically.

Between the lines: Sanders, who pushed universal vouchers in her state, cheered Lee on and framed the effort as part of a "conservative education revolution."

"It is time for the failed status quo to end," she said.

The Beacon Center, a conservative-leaning think tank that has backed voucher expansion, says its polling shows the issue has bipartisan support in Tennessee.

"Parents everywhere deserve true educational freedom, and Tennesseans across the political spectrum agree," CEO Justin Owen said in a statement.

Yes, but: Democratic lawmakers were fiercely critical of the effort, which they called a "scam" that would help wealthy families get a state-funded discount on private school.

They said they were already working to build bipartisan opposition to the plan and were reaching out to Republicans who opposed vouchers in 2019.

The Democrats also pointed to a Tennessean analysis that found voucher students underperformed their public school peers on standardized testing in 2022-23.

Nashville school board chairperson Rachael Anne Elrod blasted voucher expansion as "moral and fiscal malpractice for Tennessee to destabilize public education."

"Vouchers will siphon off millions of dollars from our already historically underfunded public schools while providing subpar results for Tennessee's students and the public at large."

Tennessee Gov. Lee launches school voucher expansion effort

GOP leaders praised the plan while Democrats rallied opposition.

Illustration of an apple with a ticket voucher for a leaf.

Tennessee

Any Tennessee parent could use state money to send their kids to private school under Gov. Bill Lee&#x27;s new plan for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="universal school vouchers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/11/28/tennessee-bill-lee-voucher-expansion-plan" data-vars-content-id="f1ac6844-9460-4cc0-968f-9839a799f3c6" data-vars-headline="Tennessee Gov. Lee launches school voucher expansion effort" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/11/28/tennessee-bill-lee-voucher-expansion-plan" target="_self">universal school vouchers</a>.Why it matters: The Education Freedom Scholarship Act, announced Tuesday, will be a top priority for the Lee administration during the 2024 legislative session. Lawmakers and advocacy groups are already lining up for and against the measure, which would have a monumental impact on K-12 education in Tennessee.

Education

Dolly Parton's foray into rock and roll immediately proved to be a commercial success and one of the best-performing albums of her career on the Billboard sales charts.

By the numbers: "Rockstar" debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart, which tracks physical album sales, downloads and streams. It's Parton's third album to reach the top 10 on the chart and the highest-ranked of her career.

Parton reached No. 1 on the all-genre Top Album Sales chart, which tracks just physical and digital sales.

"Rockstar," released Nov. 17, also topped both the country and rock album sales charts.

Why it matters: While the critical reviews have been mixed for "Rockstar," which features faithful interpretations of famous rock songs performed with the original artists, the strong sales numbers show Parton remains a commercial juggernaut.

Flashback: Parton was inspired to record a rock album after being nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She was inducted last year.

Be smart: Read Billboard's coverage of her historic chart-topping sales.

Dolly Parton's "Rockstar" album is chart-topping success

"Rockstar" hit No. 1 on the all-genre album sales chart.

Dolly Parton rocking to "Rocky Top" earlier this month at Neyland Stadium. Photo: Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Dolly Parton&#x27;s foray into rock and roll immediately proved to be a commercial success and one of the best-performing albums of her career on the Billboard sales charts.By the numbers: &quot;Rockstar&quot; debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart, which tracks physical album sales, downloads and streams. It&#x27;s Parton&#x27;s third album to reach the top 10 on the chart and the highest-ranked of her career.<ul><li>Parton reached No. 1 on the all-genre Top Album Sales chart, which tracks just physical and digital sales.</li><li>&quot;Rockstar,&quot; released Nov. 17, also topped both the country and rock album sales charts.</li></ul>

Former Titans running back Eddie George was named Tuesday as a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2024.

Rushing the news: George became a household name in Nashville during the team's early years in town. He is one of the NFL's top rushers — he rushed for more than 10,000 yards with the Titans, setting a franchise record.

State of play: George, who now coaches football at Tennessee State University, is one of 25 modern-era semifinalists. The field will be culled to 15 before final voting. The inductees will be announced during the "NFL Honors" ceremony on Feb. 8.

Flashback: George was previously a semifinalist in 2022. He said the honor left him "floored."

"This is not an easy fraternity to get into," he said at the time, per the Titans. "Just to be considered for it is an accomplishment unto itself."

Former Titans star Eddie George a semifinalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame

George was previously a semifinalist in 2022.

Former running back Eddie George of the Tennessee Titans on the field at halftime

Eddie George in 2019. Photo: Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Football

Former Titans running back Eddie George was named Tuesday as a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame&#x27;s class of 2024.Rushing the news: George became a household name in Nashville during the team&#x27;s early years in town. He is one of the NFL&#x27;s top rushers — he rushed for more than 10,000 yards with the Titans, setting a franchise record.

Sports

National

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