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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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American Airlines announced Monday it would build a new extra-large premium lounge at Nashville International Airport to accommodate the surge of new passengers.

Why it matters: The announcement is a reflection of BNA's runaway growth as well as the increasing emphasis on premium options across the airline industry.

State of play: American's new Admirals Club lounge will be located in the airport's newly renovated A concourse.

By the numbers: The completed lounge will cover 17,400 square feet, nearly triple the size of the current lounge space.

Zoom in: The new space will include outdoor terraces with views of the airfield and an indoor balcony overlooking the concourse.

Flashback: The airport closed Concourse A last year for a massive construction project that will add gates, retail space and other amenities.

When the new space opens in 2028, airport officials say it will be BNA's biggest concourse.

The big picture: BNA tied the concourse project, and the new American lounge, with its increasing passenger volume.

What they're saying: "The long-term investment by American Airlines in the new Concourse A ensures we will continue to elevate the passenger experience as we grow to more than 40 million passengers over the next decade," Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority president and CEO Doug Kreulen said in a statement.

Zoom out: American said in a statement that the Nashville project is part of a broader upgrade and expansion of the Admirals Club at sites across the airline's network. 

Follow the money: With fuel prices rising because of the Iran war, airlines are facing mounting pressure to create more revenue opportunities to offset higher costs.

Airlines of every stripe are adding premium amenities to drive more upsells.

What's next: Construction on Nashville's new American lounge is slated to begin next year. The existing lounge in Concourse C will remain in place until the new space is complete.

American Airlines is supersizing its lounge at the Nashville airport

The new lounge will be nearly triple the size of the current space.

An American Airlines Airbus A321-231 airplane taxis to depart at sunset.

American Airlines announced Monday it would build a new extra-large premium lounge at Nashville International Airport to accommodate the surge of new passengers.Why it matters: The announcement is a reflection of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="BNA&#x27;s runaway growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/18/nashville-international-airport-bna-passengers" data-vars-content-id="465beeb0-ae93-46b8-b4d0-f34371325422" data-vars-headline="American Airlines is supersizing its lounge at the Nashville airport" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/18/nashville-international-airport-bna-passengers" target="_self">BNA&#x27;s runaway growth</a> as well as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasing emphasis on premium options" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/05/lights-economy-plus-spirit-southwest" data-vars-content-id="465beeb0-ae93-46b8-b4d0-f34371325422" data-vars-headline="American Airlines is supersizing its lounge at the Nashville airport" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/05/lights-economy-plus-spirit-southwest" target="_self">increasing emphasis on premium options</a> across the airline industry.

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Business

Music Row titan Don Schlitz, the prolific songwriter responsible for a raft of modern classics including "The Gambler" and "Forever and Ever, Amen," died this week in Nashville. He was 73.

The big picture: Schlitz, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017, turned the daily lives of ordinary people into poetry.

Many of his songs became massive commercial hits, but they were also deeply soulful, slyly funny and emotionally devastating.

Schlitz was a shapeshifter. He could make you cry with an ethereal love song like "When You Say Nothing At All," which was co-written with recent Hall of Fame inductee Paul Overstreet and recorded by Keith Whitley and then Alison Krauss.

Then he could team up with Mary Chapin Carpenter to pen the girl-power anthem "He Thinks He'll Keep Her" and the rollocking laugh-riot "I Feel Lucky."

He wrote songs that drove a resurgence in twangy traditionalist country music in the 1980s. But he could also write a cross-genre juggernaut that fit in on pop radio.

Flashback: Schlitz moved to Nashville at 20 to try his hand at songwriting. He initially worked overnight shifts at Vanderbilt University as a computer operator. He'd use his late-night downtime to write songs.

"I had access to a typewriter at Vanderbilt at the computer lab and that's where I'd write," he said in a 2018 interview with the Library of Congress. 

"I wrote lots of horrible songs there — they were well-metered and well-rhymed but horrible!"

Zoom in: He wrote "The Gambler" in 1976, when he was 23 and considering leaving Nashville behind. But when Kenny Rogers released his version in 1978, it became one of the definitive country songs of all time.

The song is a timeless parable about how to approach life, which came to Schlitz while he was walking to his Fairfax Avenue apartment.

Schlitz later said that was the song "that kicked the door down for me" and and set the standard for the rest of his career.

What they're saying: "Don Schlitz's place as a songwriting great would be secure had he never written 'The Gambler' or had he only written 'The Gambler,'" Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young said.

"His curiosity about and concern for people fueled his empathetic songs, and his work ethic ensured that his gifts as a writer were fully realized."

Songwriting titan Don Schlitz dies at 73

Schlitz was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017.

Don Schlitz at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in the Ford Theater on December 13, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee. 


Don Schlitz at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in the Ford Theater in 2015. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Music Row titan Don Schlitz, the prolific songwriter responsible for a raft of modern classics including &quot;The Gambler&quot; and &quot;Forever and Ever, Amen,&quot; died this week in Nashville. He was 73.The big picture: Schlitz, who was inducted into the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Country Music Hall of Fame" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/20/tim-mcgraw-country-music-hall-of-fame-inductees" data-vars-content-id="9492c535-4e97-4020-8648-6560aa0e7bbe" data-vars-headline="Songwriting titan Don Schlitz dies at 73" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/20/tim-mcgraw-country-music-hall-of-fame-inductees" target="_self">Country Music Hall of Fame</a> in 2017, turned the daily lives of ordinary people into poetry.<ul><li>Many of his songs became massive commercial hits, but they were also deeply soulful, slyly funny and emotionally devastating.</li></ul>

News

As of Wednesday, 20 million visitors have come to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum since it moved downtown in 2001.

Why it matters: The milestone cements the Hall's status as one of Nashville's great landmarks and tourist destinations.

The big picture: The Hall was an early resident of the revitalized downtown entertainment district, which was only just beginning to take shape when the facility moved there about 25 years ago.

What they're saying: "I'll be honest with you, I'm a bit surprised we got here," museum CEO Kyle Young tells Axios.

"When we took a risk to come down here, a lot of people thought we were crazy because there's nothing downtown."

By the numbers: The risk paid off. Visits picked up steam over the years as more tourists flocked to the neon-soaked corridor to hear Music City sing.

Nearly 1.4 million people stopped by the museum last year.

The intrigue: Country music star Trisha Yearwood, who started working at the Hall of Fame as a tour guide when she first moved to Nashville in the 1980s, stopped by Wednesday to commemorate the 20 millionth visitor.

The vibe: Yearwood and Young wore name tags and handed out tickets to a line of guests that included a group of women wearing T-shirts that read "Nashville Girls Trip 2026."

When a family of four from California stepped forward for their tickets, a museum official announced they had officially brought the visitor count to 20 million. A shower of gold balloons fell from the ceiling, and throngs of onlookers cheered.

Flashback: The Hall of Fame museum originally opened on Music Row in 1967. Its shift downtown was a red carpet spectacle attended by multiple generations of superstars.

Zoom out: In 2014, the museum unveiled a $100 million expansion that doubled its downtown footprint. The facility now includes 350,000 square feet of galleries, archival storage, retail and event space.

Former President Biden awarded the institution the National Medal of Arts, recognizing that the museum "preserves history, honors giants of the genre, and inspires future generations to write their own songs about the American story."

💭 Adam's thought bubble: My grandfather, who was part of country music icon Roy Acuff's backing band the Smoky Mountain Boys, was at the ribbon-cutting the day the Hall of Fame moved downtown.

Standing in the same space 25 years later, covering another part of country music history, was a surreal full-circle moment.

Country Music Hall of Fame celebrates 20 million visitors

The milestone cements the hall's status as one of Nashville's great landmarks and tourist destinations.

Exterior of the Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum

As of Wednesday, 20 million visitors have come to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/06/27/country-music-hall-of-fame-dolly-parton" data-vars-content-id="9c92d43c-ca54-4338-a042-38822fa6d523" data-vars-headline="Country Music Hall of Fame celebrates 20 million visitors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2025/06/27/country-music-hall-of-fame-dolly-parton" target="_self">Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum</a> since it moved downtown in 2001.Why it matters: The milestone cements the Hall&#x27;s status as one of Nashville&#x27;s great landmarks and tourist destinations.

Things to Do

Runners will take over some of Nashville's busiest streets this weekend as the marathon returns for the 26th year.

Why it matters: The marathon is growing after pandemic-era slump in participation.

By the numbers: Our old pal Mike Organ at the Tennessean reports more than 4,400 people have registered to run the full marathon this year.

That's up 400 from last year's count and a jump of 2,400 compared to 2024. 

Flashback: This represents a significant resurgence. Before 2025, the last time the marathon logged more than 4,000 runners for the 26.2-mile race was in 2011, Organ says.

The big picture: The full number of participants is much larger when other events on Saturday and Sunday are considered. Race weekend will also include a half marathon, a 5K, a 10K and a "Doggie Dash."

All together, organizers expect nearly 25,000 participants in the St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Running Series Nashville.

Follow the money: Organizers say the 2025 event generated an $80 million economic impact in the city, including direct spending.

The event also raises money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Organizers say they have raised more than $18 million over the past 12 years.

Zoom in: More than half of the runners this year are from out of state, according to organizers. This year, more than 70% of participants are expected to be first-timers in the Nashville race.

Between the lines: Of course, one of the best ways to celebrate the marathon is from the sidelines. Belmont Boulevard, 12 South and The Gulch are classic spots to cheer the runners on.

Marathon Village is hosting an after party with drink specials, photo ops and food. Runners who bring their medals will get special deals.

⚠️ Don't forget: Several streets will be closed throughout the city during race weekend.

This year's Nashville marathon enjoys growth spurt

The marathon is growing after pandemic-era slump.

Runners cross the starting line at the Rock 'n' Roll marathon and half marathon in 2023.

Runners start the Rock 'n' Roll marathon and half marathon in 2023. Photo: Meg Oliphant/Getty Images for Rock 'n' Roll Marathon

Runners will take over some of Nashville&#x27;s busiest streets this weekend as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the marathon returns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/04/24/nashville-marathon-25th-anniversary" data-vars-content-id="cc457ddc-a69a-4f93-92e1-d0da68b538d1" data-vars-headline="This year&#x27;s Nashville marathon enjoys growth spurt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/04/24/nashville-marathon-25th-anniversary" target="_self">the marathon returns</a> for the 26th year.Why it matters: The marathon is growing after pandemic-era slump in participation.

If you're looking to sing your way through summer vacation, Nashville is the perfect destination.

Why it matters: Music City has been the end of the yellow brick road for generations of aspiring musicians. As such, it is loaded with must-see landmarks for any music lover.

The big picture: The New York Times infamously dubbed Nashville an "it city" in 2013. Things have not slowed down since.

Celebrity chefs have set up shop, new attractions are taking shape and the famed corridor of honky-tonks on Lower Broadway keeps getting brighter.

The intrigue: Many of the best spots are hidden in plain sight, but our friends at Axios Nashville have helped us build the ultimate insider's guide to make your visit a success.

A line of fans standing outside the Bluebird Cafe.

Photo: John Greim/Loop Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

🐦 The Bluebird Cafe: Nashville has no shortage of amazing venues. But The Bluebird is special. The iconic 90-seat club where Taylor Swift and Garth Brooks were discovered is tucked away between a laundromat and a Verizon store.

It's where the songwriters behind radio hits get to step into the spotlight in an incredibly intimate setting. And if you're lucky, you might catch an up-and-comer on the cusp of a record deal.

🎙️ RCA Studio B: A few miles away, you can tour the historic recording studio known as the "Home of 1,000 Hits," where Dolly Parton first recorded "I Will Always Love You."

🏛 The Parthenon: Originally built for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in 1897, this replica of the famed temple in Greece is one of the most recognizable structures in the Athens of the South.

Bonus: Swifties will want to linger in the surrounding Centennial Park to check out a bench dedicated to Swift. She wrote about visiting the park in her song "invisible string."

🎙 National Museum of African American Music: A sprawling tribute that traces the influence of Black artists across genres — including the Fisk Jubilee Singers, who earned Nashville its Music City nickname.

🎤 The Ryman Auditorium: The Mother Church of Country Music is the former home of the Grand Ole Opry. Sitting in the pews before the stage where Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash once performed is worth the price of a ticket on its own.

🎵 Country Music Hall of Fame: A must for any fan who has ever sung along with Reba, Patsy or Johnny.

A wall of concert posters advertising Elvis, Johnny Cash and others.

A selection of hand-printed posters for sale at Hatch Show Print. Photo: Robert Alexander/Getty Images

🔥 One souvenir to go: Every true Nashvillian has one thing in common — a poster from the legendary Hatch Show Print.

The letterpress print shop has been in operation since 1879 and has produced posters for everyone from Elvis to Carly Rae Jepsen.

The shop is now located in the lobby of the Hall of Fame. You can make your own merch during "block parties" or browse their stock of distinctive concert posters.

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How to spend your summer vacation in Nashville

The downtown Nashville skyline towers above Cumberland River

A view of downtown Nashville. Photo: J. David Ake/Getty Images

If you&#x27;re looking to sing your way through summer vacation, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nashville" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/things-to-do" data-vars-content-id="daba2283-cb2f-413e-bb89-21fe8d210193" data-vars-headline="How to spend your summer vacation in Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/things-to-do" target="_self">Nashville</a> is the perfect destination.Why it matters: Music City has been the end of the yellow brick road for generations of aspiring musicians. As such, it is loaded with must-see landmarks for any music lover.

Adam Tamburin

Featured stories

This year's Nashville marathon enjoys growth spurt

How to spend your summer vacation in Nashville

Starbucks ramps up Nashville expansion with $100M investment

American Airlines is supersizing its lounge at the Nashville airport

Songwriting titan Don Schlitz dies at 73