Iconic Black musicians and their Nashville ties celebrated in library series
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Etta James and band. Photo: Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images
The Fisk Jubilee Singers saved their university from financial ruin with a historic international tour in the 1870s.
- Etta James recorded one of the most famous live R&B albums ever released at the downtown New Era Club in 1961.
- Young activists sang protest music anthems during their meetings while strategizing the Nashville Civil Rights movement.
- Charley Pride altered the course of country music by becoming the largely white genre's first Black superstar.
Why it matters: Music City's ties to trailblazing Black musicians like those are on vivid display in a video series by the Nashville Public Library called "A Journey Through Black Music History."
- The library is bringing the series, as well as its extensive Civil Rights collection, back to the forefront as part of its Black History Month programming.
Driving the news: Our Music Monday playlist this week is composed of the songs highlighted by the library's program specialist Elliott Robinson for the video series. Listen here.
- In addition to sharing the history of legends like James and the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Robinson performs excerpts of their songs.
The intrigue: James' live recording of "Etta James Rock the House" is an unheralded piece of Nashville music history. The album's 11 tracks were recorded at the New Era, a club located at the corner of Charlotte Avenue and 12th Avenue North, roughly where the HCA office tower is today.
- James frequently toured through Nashville, playing the New Era and clubs on Jefferson Street, which is considered Nashville's original Music Row.
If you go: In addition to the video series, the downtown library's Civil Rights collection includes a mock segregated lunch counter and historic photos of Nashville's movement.
- Nashville Public Library branches are holding events throughout February to celebrate Black History Month including story time sessions for children and an abstract painting session in the style of artist Alma Thomas.