36 | GO WEST....SPOTLIGHT ON NASHVILLE


www.nitravelnews.com


April/May 2025


BY ERIN ENGLISH erin@nitravelnews.com


APTLY dubbed ‘Music City,’ music is at the heart of everything you do in Nashville, Tennessee. From the faint strums of guitar strings as you enter a bar or restaurant, to the deep-rooted musical heritage that lines the streets of the city. Walk in the footsteps of your favourite country artists from Johnny Cash, and Patsy Cline to Luke Combs, and Miranda Lambert; Nashville is sure to hit the right note as a destination for music-lovers.


Sister City of Belfast, Nashville has


had a long-established relationship with Northern Ireland since 1994. The 30- year partnership was first established to develop a social, educational, and cultural connection between the two cities; a connection which has only gotten stronger as the years progressed. In recent years, a synonymous interest


has emerged between the sister cities - a love of country music. Every year, the Country 2 Country music festival arrives in


Belfast, bringing an array of star-


studded music performers to Belfast’s very own, SSE Arena. The 2025 festival brought stars such as Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson, Dierks Bentley, Nate Smith, and Shaboozy to Belfast. With previous line-ups, including Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley and many other notable names from the country music industry.


For those seeking to immerse themselves


even more in the culture of the vibrant and legendary ‘Music City,’ Aer Lingus’ direct new route to Nashville makes it easier than ever. The new route will operate from Dublin Airport, providing four weekly flights on Aer Lingus’ Airbus A321XLR aircraft. Connecting Ireland to one of the fastest-growing cities in the US, renowned as “Music City” for its deep-rooted musical heritage. Nashville’s reputation as ‘Music City,’ dates back to the 18th century, when the city’s first settlers celebrated their arrival on the shores with fiddle tunes and


Nashville Hits The Right Note: Exploring the Sights and Sounds of Music City


dancing, shaping the forefront of the city’s musical legacy.


A legacy that continued


to develop throughout the 19th century. While the 18th and 19th century introduced Nashville as a notable foundation of the music scene, it was the 20th century that heightened the influence of Nashville as the ‘birthplace’ of country music. Walking along Broadway, the sparkling lights and neon signs guide you, alongside the alluring melodies of ‘three chords and the truth’ which pours out from nearby bars and restaurants.


Most


bars, honky-tonks, and restaurants are either owned by country artists or frequented by them. For example, Garth Brooks owns a bar named ‘Friends in Low Places,’ & Miranda Lambert’s ‘Casa Rosa’ illuminates Broadway with the glistening pink neon sign. Kid Rock owns his very own Honky Tonk while Jason Aldean has his very own kitchen and roof-top bar. Other notable artists such as Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, and Blake Shelton also own establishments along Broadway.


On a recent trip to Nashville, I got to experience the vibrancy and in-depth charm of Nashville’s country music scene. Like many, I was first introduced to country music throughout my childhood,


with


artists such as The Chicks, Johnny Cash, and Shania Twain being a staple listen on car journeys. In recent years, my love of country music has only grown with artists such as Luke Combs, Carly Pearce, Lainey Wilson, and Megan Moroney becoming some of the artists prominently featured on my ever- anticipated ‘Spotify


Wrapped’ at the end of year.


Over the course of


my visit, I made sure to visit the Country Music


Hall of Fame, Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium,


and the


Johnny Cash Museum in a bid to soak up as much of Nashville’s musical heritage as possible. Country Music Hall of Fame Located


in


D o w n t o w n Nashville,


the


of Fame is a renowned establishment


Country Music Hall with


stellar exhibitions and displays of country music


artefacts. Tickets are priced at around $29 for adults and $20 for youths (aged between 6-12 years old.) The experience is well worth the cost! As you enter the exhibit, you are struck by the array of country music posters and records that cascade the walls, each from artists which have undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the legacy of country music. A trip around the Country Music Hall of Fame takes visitors on a journey from the origins of country music right through to the modern-day era of country music. Exhibits range from displays detailing how the popularity of western films impacted the growth and influence of country music, how artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Hank Willams, and Patsy Cline emerged onto the scene.


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