Nashville

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Nashville with Nate Rau and Adam Tamburin.

Axios Nashville

Standard

Axios Nashville Partners

Nashville Alerts

Alert

Nashville Members

Membership

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

Dolly Parton is opening a new roadside travel stop next month

Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop opens next month along I-65.

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dolly Parton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/13/dolly-parton-first-public-appearance-in-months" data-vars-content-id="e05267b3-a18e-4371-a94c-19437d5c27c2" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton is opening a new roadside travel stop next month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/13/dolly-parton-first-public-appearance-in-months" target="_self">Dolly Parton</a>&#x27;s rapidly expanding hospitality empire will add its first roadside travel stop this summer.Why it matters: Soon, you&#x27;ll be able to craft a completely Dolly-dominated road trip across Tennessee.

Inside Nashville's new pro basketball franchise with Nancy VanReece

She talks about her journey to becoming president and CEO of Nashville's new UpShot basketball franchise.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nancy VanReece" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/03/07/funding-pitched-for-womens-pro-sports-efforts-nashville" data-vars-content-id="e0c8e46c-752d-4002-a253-6ed36788dee0" data-vars-headline="Inside Nashville&#x27;s new pro basketball franchise with Nancy VanReece" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/03/07/funding-pitched-for-womens-pro-sports-efforts-nashville" target="_self">Nancy VanReece</a>&#x27;s journey to her dream job as president and CEO of Nashville&#x27;s new minor league women&#x27;s hoops franchise began on a basketball court in Oklahoma.<ul><li>When she played six-on-six high school basketball in Oklahoma in the early 1980s, girls teams had wonky rules that limited them to playing on half the court.</li></ul>Why it matters: Times have changed. From the college level to the WNBA, women&#x27;s basketball is exploding in popularity.<ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nashville missed out on" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/30/nashvilles-wnba-effort-suffers-a-setback" data-vars-content-id="e0c8e46c-752d-4002-a253-6ed36788dee0" data-vars-headline="Inside Nashville&#x27;s new pro basketball franchise with Nancy VanReece" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/30/nashvilles-wnba-effort-suffers-a-setback" target="_self">Nashville missed out on</a> a WNBA expansion franchise in 2025, but this year, the city was awarded a new franchise in the fledgling UpShot League.</li></ul>

How Nashville residents build community with their neighbors

Nashvillians offer a how-to guide for anyone looking to expand their social circle.

After we shared <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new national data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/13/americans-neighbors-socializing-less" data-vars-content-id="f3c1b2c2-00b9-449f-a062-f7ab084ee988" data-vars-headline="How Nashville residents build community with their neighbors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/13/americans-neighbors-socializing-less" target="_self">new national data</a> showing Americans are talking with their neighbors far less than they used to, we asked you how you&#x27;ve bucked that trend and built community here in Nashville.<ul><li>Your responses are the perfect how-to guide for anyone looking to expand their social circle.</li></ul>Why it matters: Casual neighborhood ties are quietly disappearing, and the health consequences run deeper than most people realize.

Nashville's next big public project could be an affordable housing bond

Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell put $7 million in this year's budget for affordable housing loans.

Politics

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/05/04/nashville-mayor-freddie-oconnell-reelection" data-vars-content-id="44c70e81-8b71-473c-94ff-08ed96bd3117" data-vars-headline="Nashville&#x27;s next big public project could be an affordable housing bond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/05/04/nashville-mayor-freddie-oconnell-reelection" target="_self">Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell</a> earmarked $7 million in his budget proposal for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an affordable housing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/04/29/metro-unveils-10-year-strategy-to-ease-nashvilles-housing-crunch" data-vars-content-id="44c70e81-8b71-473c-94ff-08ed96bd3117" data-vars-headline="Nashville&#x27;s next big public project could be an affordable housing bond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/04/29/metro-unveils-10-year-strategy-to-ease-nashvilles-housing-crunch" target="_self">an affordable housing</a> initiative that could evolve into the city&#x27;s next big public project.Why it matters: For years, advocates have pushed for Metro to put the full force of its spending powers into addressing the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city&#x27;s affordable housing crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/30/nashville-housing-affordability-poll" data-vars-content-id="44c70e81-8b71-473c-94ff-08ed96bd3117" data-vars-headline="Nashville&#x27;s next big public project could be an affordable housing bond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/30/nashville-housing-affordability-poll" target="_self">city&#x27;s affordable housing crisis</a>.

New Nashville foundation connects music community to philanthropy

A new foundation seeks to be a hub for music-driven philanthrophy.

Music Community Foundation, a Nashville-based initiative connecting music artists to philanthropic resources, announced its launch today.Why it matters: The new foundation will be a hub for music-driven philanthropy.<ul><li>The intersection of nonprofit work and the music industry is uniquely Nashville, but organizers hope to expand the Music Community Foundation&#x27;s reach across the country.</li></ul>

Nashville's top living songwriters: Our response to the NYT list

The NYT list skipped over some of Nashville's top talent.

Music

Everybody knows Dolly Parton and Taylor Swift are extraordinary songwriters. Their inclusion on the New York Times&#x27; list of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="30 best living American songwriters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/29/nashville-stars-land-on-new-york-times-list" data-vars-content-id="86549809-7ea8-424b-8152-7762c2eeaf36" data-vars-headline="Nashville&#x27;s top living songwriters: Our response to the NYT list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/04/29/nashville-stars-land-on-new-york-times-list" target="_self">30 best living American songwriters</a> was a no-brainer.Yes, but: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="That list" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/magazine/greatest-american-songwriters-alive.html?unlocked_article_code=1.e1A.veUr.r80ROKAig1yZ&amp;smid=url-share" data-vars-content-id="86549809-7ea8-424b-8152-7762c2eeaf36" data-vars-headline="Nashville&#x27;s top living songwriters: Our response to the NYT list" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/magazine/greatest-american-songwriters-alive.html?unlocked_article_code=1.e1A.veUr.r80ROKAig1yZ&amp;smid=url-share" target="_blank">That list</a> still skipped over some of Nashville&#x27;s top talent. So we constructed a list of our own to spread the love. Why it matters: Songwriters are the soul of Music City and the lifeblood of the country music industry. It&#x27;s important to recognize the greats who built Nashville into what it is, one line at a time.

TPAC unveils design for East Bank center

Backers envision the new facility as a cultural landmark for Nashville.

News

The new skyline-altering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tennessee Performing Arts Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/01/new-details-show-metros-infrastructure-bill-for-new-tpac-facility" data-vars-content-id="57453073-40a9-4842-8cc5-d9dd07330f51" data-vars-headline="TPAC unveils design for East Bank center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/01/new-details-show-metros-infrastructure-bill-for-new-tpac-facility" target="_self">Tennessee Performing Arts Center</a> will be perfectly framed by Lower Broadway as you look east across the Cumberland River from downtown, according to new design renderings released Thursday.Why it matters: TPAC unveiled the new comprehensive design plans for its $600 million facility on the East Bank, marking an important update for the project that has been in the works for years.<ul><li>TPAC&#x27;s backers envision the new facility as a cultural landmark for Nashville.</li></ul>Zoom in: The renderings show how the new TPAC will fit into the East Bank. Located along the Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, the facility will be the main structure people see from Broadway.<ul><li>The building was designed by world-renowned architect Bjarke Ingels and his firm, BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group.</li><li>The new renderings also show what the inside of the main performance hall will look like.</li></ul>By the numbers: The 307,000-square-foot facility features four performance venues, which range in size from the large Broadway Hall to a small cabaret theater.<ul><li>The new center will also include a dance and opera hall and a flexible black box theater.</li></ul><figure><img alt="Public plaza featuring a dramatic, wavy ribbed metal building; glass towers rise in the background as people walk among trees and planters at dusk." height="2812" id="19a57cc6-c63d-4283-93ca-bb2533100fa8" src="https://images.axios.com/B0YGHgjsOZ2BNPhnnYq10gABUwU=/2026/04/15/1776285796976.jpeg" width="5000"/><figcaption>A rendering of the exterior of the new TPAC facility. Image: courtesy of TPAC</figcaption></figure>State of play: TPAC received $500 million in state funding for the project and is in the midst of a fundraising campaign to raise the rest of the money.<ul><li>Metro contributed the land. After months of negotiation, TPAC and Mayor Freddie O&#x27;Connell finalized <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an infrastructure agreement last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/01/new-details-show-metros-infrastructure-bill-for-new-tpac-facility" data-vars-content-id="57453073-40a9-4842-8cc5-d9dd07330f51" data-vars-headline="TPAC unveils design for East Bank center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/12/01/new-details-show-metros-infrastructure-bill-for-new-tpac-facility" target="_self">an infrastructure agreement last year</a>.</li></ul>What she&#x27;s saying: &quot;This new center represents the future of the performing arts in Nashville and across our state,&quot; TPAC president and CEO Jennifer Turner said in a statement.

In their words: New Country Music Hall of Fame inductees react to the news

McGraw is joining the Country Music Hall of Fame this year along with Paul Overstreet and The Stanley Brothers.

Tim McGraw wanted to skip the call that changed his life.<ul><li>Of course, he didn&#x27;t know what was about to happen.</li></ul>The big picture: McGraw is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="joining the 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="ec3dd0d3-5e10-4074-9b14-9951462a5da6" data-vars-headline="In their words: New Country Music Hall of Fame inductees react to the news" 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">joining the Country Music Hall of Fame</a> this year along with songwriter Paul Overstreet. The quintessential bluegrass duo The Stanley Brothers will be inducted posthumously.Behind the scenes: After the public announcement on Friday, McGraw told Axios about the moment he heard the news for the first time.

Tim McGraw leads the new class of Country Music Hall of Fame inductees

Only 161 acts have joined the Country Music Hall of Fame since 1961.

The newest additions to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Country Music Hall of Fame" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/19/new-inductees-country-music-hall-of-fame-watch" data-vars-content-id="0f25ec1d-1d21-431d-aa1f-2acdb0758af7" data-vars-headline="Tim McGraw leads the new class of Country Music Hall of Fame inductees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/03/19/new-inductees-country-music-hall-of-fame-watch" target="_self">Country Music Hall of Fame</a> steered the genre through generations of change — from the tight harmonies that sent bluegrass soaring and the timeless love songs of the 1980s to the arena-ready anthems of today.Why it matters: The Hall of Fame is country music&#x27;s highest and most elusive honor. Only 161 acts have made the cut since 1961.<ul><li>On Friday, superstar Tim McGraw, hit songwriter Paul Overstreet and veteran duo The Stanley Brothers joined the circle.</li></ul>

New inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame coming soon

There is a massive backlog of legends waiting to join the elite hall.

The next group of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Country Music Hall of Fame" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/03/19/toby-keith-john-anderson-james-burton-to-join-the-country-music-hall-of-fame" data-vars-content-id="e7eef608-2628-45ec-8e71-6b540ac3ad7a" data-vars-headline="New inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame coming soon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/03/19/toby-keith-john-anderson-james-burton-to-join-the-country-music-hall-of-fame" target="_self">Country Music Hall of Fame</a> inductees will be unveiled Friday morning.<ul><li>You can <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="watch the announcement live" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZjwg_cUZDA" data-vars-content-id="e7eef608-2628-45ec-8e71-6b540ac3ad7a" data-vars-headline="New inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame coming soon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZjwg_cUZDA" target="_blank">watch the announcement live</a> at 10am Central.</li></ul>Why it matters: There is a massive backlog of legends who seem destined to join the elite hall one day, but there are only three slots available every year.

The Truth music venue announces first concert lineup

Sting, Beck, Jo Dee Messina, Scotty McCreery and Glorilla are among headliners.

Pop music singer-songwriter Freya Skye will play the first-ever show at The Truth music venue in Wedgewood-Houston in October.Why it matters: The Truth announced its debut lineup Monday, representing a diverse array of genres.

Sources: Sphere Entertainment considers venue in Nashville

Multiple sources tell Axios that Sphere reps have held talks with local executives.

Representatives of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Sphere" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/08/sphere-las-vegas-venue-shows" data-vars-content-id="bfc72032-c326-4d87-a619-45e3b1e43236" data-vars-headline="Sources: Sphere Entertainment considers venue in Nashville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/08/sphere-las-vegas-venue-shows" target="_self">the Sphere</a> music venue in Las Vegas and local business people have discussed the possibility of bringing a smaller version of the venue to Nashville.Why it matters: Nashville would gain a unique concert hall that is known for hosting the world&#x27;s most popular artists for extended residencies — something the local live music ecosystem currently lacks.

CMA Fest announces 2026 headliners: Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Ella Langley

Other headliners include Zach Top, Carly Pearce and Luke Bryan.

Country music mainstays Tim McGraw and Blake Shelton will join forces with new hitmakers Ella Langley and Shaboozey to anchor this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CMA Fest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/10/global-fans-flock-to-nashville-for-cma-fest" data-vars-content-id="435c5d6c-e484-423e-9663-176aa24509dc" data-vars-headline="CMA Fest announces 2026 headliners: Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Ella Langley" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/10/global-fans-flock-to-nashville-for-cma-fest" target="_self">CMA Fest</a> at Nissan Stadium, organizers announced Wednesday.Why it matters: CMA Fest is Nashville&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="biggest and longest running" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/06/08/cma-fest-through-the-years" data-vars-content-id="435c5d6c-e484-423e-9663-176aa24509dc" data-vars-headline="CMA Fest announces 2026 headliners: Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Ella Langley" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/06/08/cma-fest-through-the-years" target="_self">biggest and longest running</a> music festival, and the nightly shows at Nissan Stadium are the centerpiece of the four-day event.

Blackburn presses Live Nation about ticket bots at Senate hearing

The Tennessee senator and Kid Rock pressured Live Nation to fight online ticket scalpers.

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn led a panel of federal lawmakers Wednesday in pressuring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="corporate concert giant Live Nation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/18/ftc-ticketmaster-live-nation-ticket-brokers" data-vars-content-id="d4eeda11-9ed0-4765-9e0c-897191974aeb" data-vars-headline="Blackburn presses Live Nation about ticket bots at Senate hearing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/18/ftc-ticketmaster-live-nation-ticket-brokers" target="_self">corporate concert giant Live Nation</a> to do more to address online ticket scalping.Why it matters: Advocates who spoke during a Senate hearing argued the secondhand ticket market makes concerts too expensive for fans and hampers an artist&#x27;s ability to make a living.

Music

Nashville sounds join Library of Congress registry

Country Music Hall hits 25 years downtown

New Nashville foundation connects music community to philanthropy

Nashville's top living songwriters: Our response to the NYT list

Nashville stars land on New York Times list