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

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

News

Tennessee Gov. Lee launches school voucher expansion effort

GOP leaders praised the plan while Democrats rallied opposition.

Scoop: A new racetrack redevelopment plan

The future of the city-owned racetrack has been a political knife fight spanning five mayors.

How a people-loving nerd became Nashville's mayor

Over two decades, Freddie O'Connell went from being a political footnote to a beacon of hope for Nashville progressives

Election

A look back at Taylor Swift's "1989"

We're revisiting how Swift and music insiders spoke about her crossover moment when the original "1989" came out.

Music

Nine years ago, Taylor Swift set aside country music and released her pop opus &quot;1989.&quot;<ul><li>Her departure from the country charts shook Music Row and laid the groundwork for her current status as one of the biggest artists in the world.</li></ul>The latest: Friday, as part of her <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ongoing quest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vox.com/culture/22278732/taylor-swift-re-recording-1989-speak-now-enchanted-mine-master-rights-scooter-braun" data-vars-content-id="d92e6027-b5a0-4dc7-b5a1-8d0b2cbdfb0a" data-vars-headline="A look back at Taylor Swift&#x27;s &quot;1989&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vox.com/culture/22278732/taylor-swift-re-recording-1989-speak-now-enchanted-mine-master-rights-scooter-braun" target="_blank">ongoing quest</a> to reclaim her earlier work, Swift is revisiting that era with the release of &quot;1989 (Taylor&#x27;s Version).&quot; It features re-recordings of the original album along with some new additions &quot;from the vault.&quot;

John Prine's historic jukebox

Prine filled the jukebox with a selection that included country, pop, R&B and a sprinkling of Christmas carols.

The family of late singer-songwriter John Prine donated one of his prized possessions — an intricately decorated 1942 Wurlitzer jukebox — to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum over the weekend.Why it matters: The jukebox, now on display, offers a fascinating window into the mind of a songwriting legend who counted Bob Dylan and Kris Kristofferson <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="as admirers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/07/arts/music/john-prine-who-chronicled-the-human-condition-in-song-dies-at-73.html" data-vars-content-id="ed3bd06c-6d2a-4243-8bab-0fa5975d2d59" data-vars-headline="John Prine&#x27;s historic jukebox" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/07/arts/music/john-prine-who-chronicled-the-human-condition-in-song-dies-at-73.html" target="_blank">as admirers</a>.

Lainey Wilson hauls in nine CMA Award nominations

Folk-rock legend Tracy Chapman also got a nod.

Lainey Wilson further cemented herself as one of country music&#x27;s elite artists Thursday with the announcement that she is nominated for nine CMA Awards.<ul><li>That&#x27;s more than any other artist, and three more than the six nominations she got <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/09/08/cma-awards-nominations-lainey-wilson-morgan-wallen" data-vars-content-id="051a1a50-c63b-4e02-932f-91bdc014278e" data-vars-headline="Lainey Wilson hauls in nine CMA Award nominations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/09/08/cma-awards-nominations-lainey-wilson-morgan-wallen" target="_self">last year</a>.</li></ul>Why it matters: Wilson has already proven to be a critical and commercial success.

Lainey Wilson performs during Lollapalooza at Grant Park on August 3, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois.

Remembering Jimmy Buffett, who got his musical start in Nashville

Buffett's family said he died peacefully surrounded by family members, friends, his music and his dogs.

Iconic singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, who carved out a one-of-a-kind corner on the pop music landscape, melding escapist singalongs into a beach-themed business empire, died Friday at age 76.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="His family said" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/jimmybuffett/status/1697853740752179630?s=20" data-vars-content-id="a6e98104-f18d-4236-ac30-0e700f3cfb1d" data-vars-headline="Remembering Jimmy Buffett, who got his musical start in Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/jimmybuffett/status/1697853740752179630?s=20" target="_blank">His family said</a> Buffett died peacefully surrounded by family members, friends, his music and his dogs.</li></ul>

16 live shows to see in Nashville in August, including Luke Bryan at Bridgestone Arena

Nickelback, Luke Bryan, Turnpike Troubadours and others are headed to Music City this month.

Things to Do

Nashville might be in between major music festivals, with Pilgrimage more than a month away, but that doesn&#x27;t mean there isn&#x27;t plenty of live music to enjoy around town.

"Storied Strings" at Frist Art Museum celebrates guitars

If you&#x27;re looking for indoor and air-conditioned activities this weekend, one option is the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Frist Art Museum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2021/10/08/frist-art-museums-art-deco-explosion" data-vars-content-id="8635bf22-e1f8-474a-a767-3b320a01dba8" data-vars-headline="&quot;Storied Strings&quot; at Frist Art Museum celebrates guitars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2021/10/08/frist-art-museums-art-deco-explosion" target="_self">Frist Art Museum</a>&#x27;s exhibit celebrating guitars and their place in American art.<ul><li>The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Storied Strings&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://fristartmuseum.org/exhibition/storied-strings/" data-vars-content-id="8635bf22-e1f8-474a-a767-3b320a01dba8" data-vars-headline="&quot;Storied Strings&quot; at Frist Art Museum celebrates guitars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fristartmuseum.org/exhibition/storied-strings/" target="_blank">&quot;Storied Strings&quot;</a> exhibit runs through Aug. 13.</li></ul>

Nashville resident named Time's Person of the Year

Hendersonville High School's own Taylor Swift is having a blockbuster year.

Hendersonville High School&#x27;s own <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Taylor Swift" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/05/05/how-to-celebrate-taylor-swift-eras-tour-nashville" data-vars-content-id="78ac91a7-8574-4fd0-baf4-450d63247e30" data-vars-headline="Nashville resident named Time&#x27;s Person of the Year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/05/05/how-to-celebrate-taylor-swift-eras-tour-nashville" target="_self">Taylor Swift</a> continued her blockbuster year Wednesday when Time magazine named her its Person of the Year.What they&#x27;re saying: Time Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="noted" data-vars-click-url="https://time.com/6342816/person-of-the-year-2023-taylor-swift-choice/" data-vars-content-id="78ac91a7-8574-4fd0-baf4-450d63247e30" data-vars-headline="Nashville resident named Time&#x27;s Person of the Year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://time.com/6342816/person-of-the-year-2023-taylor-swift-choice/" target="_blank">noted</a> the designation often goes to major world leaders, including 14 U.S. presidents. But Swift got the nod in 2023, he wrote, because of her &quot;singular influence.&quot;

Previewing the CMA Awards

They're Nashville's version of the Oscars, but with a lot more talk about pickup trucks.

Nashville hosts the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Country Music Association Awards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/09/07/lainey-wilson-cma-award-nominations" data-vars-content-id="32421c5d-6264-4d0e-802e-95019961f94b" data-vars-headline="Previewing the CMA Awards" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/09/07/lainey-wilson-cma-award-nominations" target="_self">Country Music Association Awards</a>, billed as &quot;country&#x27;s biggest night&quot; on Wednesday.Why it matters: There are a lot of country-centric award shows, but the CMAs are clearly on another level. They&#x27;re Nashville&#x27;s version of the Oscars, but with a lot more talk about pickup trucks.<ul><li>&quot;It&#x27;s the report card of the last year in country,&quot; says country music expert Beverly Keel, College of Media and Entertainment dean at Middle Tennessee State University.</li></ul>

Dolly's new album "Rockstar" is out now

The album features hard-charging electric guitars and cameos from rock idols like Paul McCartney.

Dolly Parton&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rockstar era" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/11/14/dolly-parton-media-blitz-rockstar-album" data-vars-content-id="f1d58c91-4780-47d7-ba9c-60d9f6355454" data-vars-headline="Dolly&#x27;s new album &quot;Rockstar&quot; is out now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/11/14/dolly-parton-media-blitz-rockstar-album" target="_self">rockstar era</a> has finally arrived.<ul><li>Her new album, featuring hard-charging electric guitars and cameos from rock idols like Paul McCartney and Joan Jett, is out Friday.</li></ul>Why it matters: &quot;Rockstar,&quot; inspired by Parton&#x27;s induction into the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame, is the culmination of another blockbuster year that saw her <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="take over grocery store shelves" data-vars-click-url="https://www.foodandwine.com/dolly-parton-duncan-hines-sugar-cookie-mix-7969761" data-vars-content-id="f1d58c91-4780-47d7-ba9c-60d9f6355454" data-vars-headline="Dolly&#x27;s new album &quot;Rockstar&quot; is out now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.foodandwine.com/dolly-parton-duncan-hines-sugar-cookie-mix-7969761" target="_blank">take over grocery store shelves</a> and notch a bestselling book.<ul><li>At 77, she remains firmly embedded in pop culture.</li></ul>

State lawmaker pitches honoring Brenda Lee

The 65-year-old  song reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 this week.

Love is still pouring in for Nashville chart-topper <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Brenda Lee" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/04/brenda-lees-rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-billboard" data-vars-content-id="9588b7da-8821-4fe9-9959-e3a865c24ccf" data-vars-headline="State lawmaker pitches honoring Brenda Lee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/04/brenda-lees-rockin-around-the-christmas-tree-billboard" target="_self">Brenda Lee</a>, whose 65-year-old song &quot;Rockin&#x27; Around the Christmas Tree&quot; is No. 1 on the Hot 100 this week.The latest: State Rep. Jason Powell (D-Nashville) filed legislation on Wednesday that would make &quot;Rockin&#x27;&quot; the state&#x27;s &quot;official holiday song.&quot;

Miranda Lambert's selfie-gate

"These girls are worried about their selfie and not worried about the song," Lambert said.

Country queen <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Miranda Lambert" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/05/11/miranda-lamberts-hot-streak-continues-palomino" data-vars-content-id="70f5f253-d3d9-46b2-a6bb-c1d43a05a2d0" data-vars-headline="Miranda Lambert&#x27;s selfie-gate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2022/05/11/miranda-lamberts-hot-streak-continues-palomino" target="_self">Miranda Lambert</a> spurred a debate on concert etiquette recently when she stopped mid-song at her Las Vegas residency to scold a group of audience members for snapping selfies during a poignant ballad.What she said: &quot;I&#x27;m gonna stop right here for a sec,&quot; Lambert said, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to a fan video" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/PopCrave/status/1680980269107429377?s=20" data-vars-content-id="70f5f253-d3d9-46b2-a6bb-c1d43a05a2d0" data-vars-headline="Miranda Lambert&#x27;s selfie-gate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/PopCrave/status/1680980269107429377?s=20" target="_blank">according to a fan video</a>. &quot;These girls are worried about their selfie and not listening to the song. It&#x27;s pissing me off a little bit.&quot;The intrigue: The video has gone viral on social media.<ul><li>Many commenters criticized Lambert for embarrassing fans who wanted to commemorate their concert experience.</li><li>Lambert&#x27;s defenders say it&#x27;s disrespectful to the artist and the audience to pose for distracting group pictures during a performance.</li></ul>Adela Calin, who said she was part of the picture-posing posse, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="told NBC News" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/miranda-lambert-concert-photo-fan-callout-viral-tiktok-rcna94722" data-vars-content-id="70f5f253-d3d9-46b2-a6bb-c1d43a05a2d0" data-vars-headline="Miranda Lambert&#x27;s selfie-gate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/miranda-lambert-concert-photo-fan-callout-viral-tiktok-rcna94722" target="_blank">told NBC News</a> she was &quot;appalled.&quot;<ul><li>&quot;It felt like I was back at school with the teacher scolding me for doing something wrong and telling me to sit down back in my place,&quot; Calin said.</li></ul>For what it&#x27;s worth: True Lambert fans know her take-no-guff persona is for real. She&#x27;s stopped shows before and even <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="popped a fan&#x27;s beach ball" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/karadodge/status/1168162444394541056" data-vars-content-id="70f5f253-d3d9-46b2-a6bb-c1d43a05a2d0" data-vars-headline="Miranda Lambert&#x27;s selfie-gate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/karadodge/status/1168162444394541056" target="_blank">popped a fan&#x27;s beach ball</a> that made it to the stage, saying, &quot;I love y&#x27;all, but we&#x27;re not at the damn beach.&quot;Tell us: We trust a Nashville audience will know the best practices for live music:<ul><li>Was Lambert right or wrong? Can you selfie responsibly during a concert, or should you wait until the curtain drops?</li></ul>