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

Axios Nashville Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Downtown Nashville is not particularly "sticky" among local residents, according to a new report that gauged interest in urban centers around the world.

Why it matters: The report focused on interest among locals, many of whom intentionally avoid downtown Nashville.

State of play: The "stickiness" metric combines measurements of how often residents say they visit downtown, and how long they say they stay there.

Zoom out: Detroit has the "stickiest" downtown of the 34 U.S. cities included in the Gensler Research Institute report.

Reality check: Downtown Nashville is the heart of the city's tourism engine, so it is a socializing and entertainment hub for hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Between the lines: Public safety has become a major issue downtown, with growing concern over excessive drinking and crime.

A recent poll found 53% of residents feel safe most of the time or all of the time downtown. But a significant chunk — 43% — said they occasionally or always feel unsafe.

Catch up quick: Tourism boosters have taken steps to try and address the rowdy, chaotic vibe that drives many locals away.

City leaders have also worked to reign in party buses, driving hot tubs and other forms of transportainment that crowd downtown streets.

Last year, the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. launched an ad campaign urging visitors to embrace "respect and responsibility" downtown. Banners asked them to "keep Nashville beautiful."

The other side: There were bright spots in the report. Downtown Nashville got strong marks from respondents for being memorable, vibrant and authentic.

But the city scored lower when it came to downtown's aesthetic beauty, its welcoming atmosphere and safety.

The big picture: Nashville isn't an outlier. Among all cities included in the report, Gensler found that fewer than half of residents visit their central business district weekly, while less than a third spend recreational time there.

How it works: The report gathered feedback from 35,000 residents of 75 cities worldwide via an online survey conducted from July 8 to Nov. 4, 2025.

Tell us: What would inspire you to spend more time downtown? What if any changes would make the area more appealing?

Email nashville@axios.com to let us know.

Downtown Nashville's not so "sticky," per new report

Public safety has become a major issue downtown.

A view of downtown Nashville from the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge during CMA Fest 2025 at on June 08, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee.


A view of downtown Nashville during CMA Fest 2025. Photo: Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images

Downtown Nashville is not particularly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;sticky&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/28/detroit-downtown-stickiness-score" data-vars-content-id="66f4125f-f325-447e-99c0-e0e400485de5" data-vars-headline="Downtown Nashville&#x27;s not so &quot;sticky,&quot; per new report" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/28/detroit-downtown-stickiness-score" target="_self">&quot;sticky&quot;</a> among local residents, according to a new report that gauged interest in urban centers around the world.Why it matters: The report focused on interest among locals, many of whom intentionally avoid downtown Nashville.

News

A new review of Billboard chart data reveals the most successful Nashville songwriters of the modern era.

Why it matters: As we've said before, there would be no Music Row without songwriters. This review highlights how a core group of prolific pros have contributed to country music's success over the decades.

Between the lines: The new review from Record Research Inc. used chart data from 1944 to 2025, with a formula that tabulated individual songwriters' overall success generating hits.

Billboard unveiled the list last week in its country music newsletter.

Zoom in: No. 1 was the unstoppable Ashley Gorley, one of the most successful songwriters in music history. He's had a hand in nearly 200 Billboard hits so far, according to the analysis. They include the 2020s chart-toppers "Last Night" and "I Had Some Help."

Fellow hitmaker Shane McNally came in at No. 2, powered by songs like "Body Like a Back Road" and "Follow Your Arrow."

The 1980s and '90s powerhouse Bob McDill, who wrote "Gone Country" for Alan Jackson, followed at No. 3.

Bill Anderson, a singer-songwriter responsible for his own hits as well as other gems like "Whiskey Lullaby," was No. 4.

Harlan Howard, the man behind some of the genre's classic standards like "I Fall to Pieces" and "Heartaches by the Number," was No. 5.

Nashville's hit-making songwriters ranked based on Billboard success

No. 1 has written nearly 200 Billboard hits so far.

Ashley Gorley performs onstage for The Listening Room 20th Anniversary at Ryman Auditorium on March 03, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Ashley Gorley topped a ranking of the most successful country music songwriters based on Billboard data. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

A new review of Billboard chart data reveals the most successful Nashville songwriters of the modern era.Why it matters: As <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="we&#x27;ve said before" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/05/01/nashvilles-top-living-songwriters-nyt-list" data-vars-content-id="68b572d3-8864-478a-96e5-8cd30aa5503c" data-vars-headline="Nashville&#x27;s hit-making songwriters ranked based on Billboard success" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/05/01/nashvilles-top-living-songwriters-nyt-list" target="_self">we&#x27;ve said before</a>, there would be no Music Row without songwriters. This review highlights how a core group of prolific pros have contributed to country music&#x27;s success over the decades.

Music

CMA Fest is taking over downtown Nashville starting Thursday, and there will be cheering fans, monster hits and rising superstars in every direction.

But most fans won't see the significant, and potentially life-saving, work that's taking place backstage. 

The latest: The Country Music Association is using this year's CMA Fest as an opportunity to emphasize and expand mental health supports available for the musicians and crew members who keep the genre humming.

The big picture: Long hours, late nights and nonstop touring can contribute to suffocating stress that is hidden behind the shimmering rhinestones.

In the 2024 Greater Nashville Music Census, more than 1 in 4 respondents in the industry reported struggling with their mental health.

What he's saying: Manager William Dyer tells Axios that mental health support is essential to prevent burnout.

"There is no sustainable art from an individual without the prioritization of mental health," Dyer says.

Zoom in: The CMA is making its emphasis on mental health a prominent part of the festival footprint.

The CMA is partnering with ECCHO Live for a second year to provide free and confidential on-site counseling sessions for artists, crew members, touring professionals and event staff.

An "artist oasis" outside Nissan Stadium will offer performers an escape complete with private counseling sessions and therapy puppies.

Driving the news: Music Row has acknowledged an ongoing mental health crisis in the industry.

A new fund backed by advocates and major-label money is available to connect music industry professionals from every rung of the ladder to mental health resources.

For two years, the CMA has offered mental health scholarship grants that pair tours with Amber Health supports.

Between the lines: Dyer, who manages artist Wyatt Flores, says he's seen and experienced the paradox of the music industry, where soul-fueling music is tied to unrelenting demands.

"Everybody gets to have a career in their passion, which is beautiful," Dyer says. "But it comes at a cost.

"There's really high highs, but no one publicly sees the low lows."

Yes, but: Weaving Amber Health into Flores' tour has been a game changer, Dyer says. It has helped boost teamwork and cool tempers.

The bottom line: Dyer says the growing pool of resources from CMA and other organizations could help artists and crews maintain long-term careers.

"You have to put your oxygen mask on first."

CMA Fest puts spotlight on Music Row's mental health work

Potentially life-saving work is taking place backstage at CMA Fest.

Atmosphere seen during day 2 of CMA Fest 2022 at Nissan Stadium on June 10, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. 

CMA Fest brings throngs of country music fans to Nashville. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CMA Fest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/02/25/cma-fest-2026-headliners-tim-mcgraw-keith-urban" data-vars-content-id="78f4f76e-2bb6-4a5f-a36c-f6a1d6867f0d" data-vars-headline="CMA Fest puts spotlight on Music Row&#x27;s mental health work" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/02/25/cma-fest-2026-headliners-tim-mcgraw-keith-urban" target="_self">CMA Fest</a> is taking over downtown Nashville starting Thursday, and there will be cheering fans, monster hits and rising superstars in every direction.<ul><li>But most fans won&#x27;t see the significant, and potentially life-saving, work that&#x27;s taking place backstage. </li></ul>The latest: The Country Music Association is using this year&#x27;s CMA Fest as an opportunity to emphasize and expand mental health supports available for the musicians and crew members who keep the genre humming.

Nashville's housing market was on an upswing in May, marking a bit of a rebound after several months of softer numbers.

Why it matters: Data from last month shows the biggest year-over-year increase in closings so far in 2026.

By the numbers: Buyers in Middle Tennessee closed on 3,370 homes in May, a 6% increase over the closings in May 2025, according to Greater Nashville Realtors, which pulls data from nine Nashville-area counties.

Follow the money: Prices were up — but not across the board.

The median price for a single-family home in the Nashville area was $525,000 in May, compared to $506,557 a year ago.

Condo sales were softer, averaging $339,900 last month. That's down from a $349,250 median in May 2025.

Between the lines: The area's housing supply is up 7% compared to last year, with 15,294 active listings. This gives buyers more breathing room, and potentially more leverage in negotiations.

What they're saying: "Overall, both sides of transactions should have renewed confidence heading into summer," Greater Nashville Realtors president Jack Gaughan said in a statement.

Nashville home sales rebounded in May

Data from last month shows the biggest year-over-year increase in closings so far in 2026.

Illustration of a white picket fence shaped like arrows trending upwards

Nashville&#x27;s housing market was on an upswing in May, marking a bit of a rebound after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="several months of softer numbers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/12/nashville-housing-market-tilts-toward-buyers" data-vars-content-id="82612325-dbcb-4a08-b81b-0d8bb9a977ec" data-vars-headline="Nashville home sales rebounded in May" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/12/nashville-housing-market-tilts-toward-buyers" target="_self">several months of softer numbers</a>.Why it matters: Data from last month shows the biggest year-over-year increase in closings so far in 2026.

Real Estate

Beloved Grand Ole Opry announcer and WSM host Bill Cody died Tuesday following kidney and heart failure. He was 67.

The big picture: If country music had a speaking voice, it would be Cody's. He narrated the genre's most memorable moments for decades from the studio and the Opry stage.

Flashback: Cody fell in love with radio as a child in Kentucky, when his preacher father had his sermons broadcast on a local station. Cody went with his father and was hypnotized by the DJ behind the glass.

He made his first appearance as a radio host on his hometown station at 12 years old.

"That was the auspicious beginning to my radio career, and I just never looked back," he told Main Street Media. "My instrument was radio, and I could not get enough."

In his own words: Working at WSM became his ultimate career goal early on, when his dad would tell him stories about the Opry icons appearing on the Nashville radio station.

"It was a romance for me, because I wanted to go where those people were," Cody said in an Opry profile in 2019. "I wasn't quite sure where that was, but I just knew it had to be the coolest place."

Cody went on to work at WSM for more than 30 years, where he hosted the morning show. He became a fixture during Opry shows, where he was a regular host and sparring partner for many of the legends he heard about in childhood.

"Bill Cody lived out his dreams on the Opry stage," Opry executive producer Dan Rogers said in a statement. "More times than I could count, he and I would look at each other as if to say, 'Can you believe we get to do this?'"

The Grand Ole Opry will dedicate its Saturday night show to Cody.

Remembering Opry announcer Bill Cody in his own words

"It was a romance," Cody said of his journey to WSM and the Opry.

Opry host WSM's Bill Cody during Grand Ole Opry Total Eclipse 2017 Special Sunday Night Show at Grand Ole Opry House on August 20, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Bill Cody during a Grand Ole Opry show in 2017. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Beloved <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Grand Ole Opry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/03/18/grand-ole-opry-100th-anniversary-nbc-special" data-vars-content-id="ae088328-8cb7-4a49-87ce-f48c3a8c158b" data-vars-headline="Remembering Opry announcer Bill Cody in his own words" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/03/18/grand-ole-opry-100th-anniversary-nbc-special" target="_self">Grand Ole Opry</a> announcer and WSM host Bill Cody died Tuesday following <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="kidney and heart failure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2026/06/05/bill-cody-health-heart-kidney-failure-double-transplant/90418145007/" data-vars-content-id="ae088328-8cb7-4a49-87ce-f48c3a8c158b" data-vars-headline="Remembering Opry announcer Bill Cody in his own words" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2026/06/05/bill-cody-health-heart-kidney-failure-double-transplant/90418145007/" target="_blank">kidney and heart failure</a>. He was 67.The big picture: If country music had a speaking voice, it would be Cody&#x27;s. He narrated the genre&#x27;s most memorable moments for decades from the studio and the Opry stage.

Adam Tamburin

Featured stories

Remembering Opry announcer Bill Cody in his own words

Downtown Nashville's not so "sticky," per new report

Nashville home sales rebounded in May

How readers are building community with neighbors

Nashville's hit-making songwriters ranked based on Billboard success