April/May 2025
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being the music legend’s last ever music video. Residing behind a glass case was the Hurt chair, a thought provoking and emotional end to the tour.
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WEST...SPOTLIGHT ON NASHVILLE | 37 Swifties Galore!
FOR fans of Taylor Swift, like myself, Nashville is undoubtedly a haven for Swifties.
The Bluebird Cafe is a prominent listening room; songwriters and singers come from far and wide to perform at the Bluebird Cafe, and it is actually where Taylor Swift was first discovered by Big Machine Records back
in 2004.
put on display in ‘American Currents: State of the Music’ exhibition which will run until the end of January 2026. The exhibit also contains a replica of ‘The Taylor Swift Eras Tour’ Bus which acts as a brilliant photo opportunity to round-out the ‘American Currents: State of Music’ exhibition.
Other notable country artists discovered Progressing through the 1970s & 1980s ,
you’ll find exhibits on artists such as Dolly Parton, Glen Campbell, Emmy Lou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, and Kris Kristopherson. Before emerging into the 1990s,2000s & 2010s with exhibits on Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, The Chicks, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Miranda Lambert, and Carrie Underwood. More recently, a Luke Combs exhibit
has been put on display, with an array of artefacts from his childhood and his rise to international fame. The exhibit includes childhood pictures, original lyrics, and instruments. Until the 31st of January 2026, “America’s Currents: The State of Music’ exhibits the current array of stars and talent on the country music scene. Including artists such as Ashley McBride, Jelly Roll, Taylor Swift, Megan Moroney, Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson. Some personal favourites throughout
the museum included Elvis Presley’s Gold Plated Cadillac, The Female Influence on Country Exhibit, and entering into the Hall of Fame, where golden plaques display in all their might, a thought provoking message surrounding you, posing the question, “Will The Circle be Unbroken?” ; A song which is sung at the end of each induction ceremony into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The Johnny Cash Museum Just off of Broadway lies the Johnny
Cash Museum, a goldmine of memorabilia detailing the lasting legacy of ‘The Man in Black.’ Perhaps my favorite museum in Nashville, visitors experience a warm welcome and introduction into the ‘House of Cash.’ Cash’s life is pristinely documented
behind the glass of the museum, from antiques from Cash’s birth certificate to his Air Force Uniform, small items from his marriage to Vivian Liberto. Other artefacts include the iconic ‘Ragged Old Flag,’ Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues jumpsuit, and The Cash Family Piano. Numerous personal belongings are on display such as his personal bible, gifts to his second wife, June Carter Cash, and his Grammy and CMA Awards. What I found most touching and poignant about the Johnny Cash Museum was the final exhibit, dedicated to Cash’s music video for his rendition of the Nine Inch Nails song ‘Hurt,’ which wound up
at The Bluebird Cafe include Garth Brooks, and Keith Urban. As a long- time fan of Taylor Swift, a visit to the Bluebird Cafe was certainly something to cross off of my bucket-list. While the Country Music Hall of Fame is home to many esteemed country music heritage memorabilia, it is also home to the ‘Taylor Swift Education Centre.’ Primarily an area which provides programs for local schools, and engaging arts and cultural programs for all the family. The Taylor Swift Education Centre also houses many unique artifacts from Taylor Swift’s origins in country music, such as instruments, and outfits from her early career. The cloak from when Swift was awarded the Honorary Doctorate in the Fine Arts at NYU is also displayed, alongside a transcript of her speech to the graduating class of 2022. Other items and artefacts from
Taylor Swift’s nineteen years in the music industry are throughout the museum, including a dress from her 2009 ‘Fearless’ Tour, and the ‘Koi Fish’ guitar which joined Taylor Swift as she embarked on her international ‘Speak Now’ Tour between 2011 and 2012. At the beginning of March 2025, a dress from her iconic ‘Eras Tour’ was
The Ryman Auditorium THE Ryman Auditorium is one of Nashville’s most notable and popular music venues, and is the original home of the ‘Grand Ole Opry.’ Originally known as the Union Gospel Tabernacle,
The Ryman Auditorium has been a long-serving staple in the success of country music. A legacy which starts with Thomas Ryman, a wealthy riverboat captain who was inspired after a sermon from Reverend Sam Jones to turn his life towards religion. As a result, Thomas Ryman built the Union Gospel Tabernacle. The first concert, The May Music Festival opened at the
Union Gospel Tabernacle in 1892, and the venue soon became a hotspot for religious sermons, concerts and gatherings. Upon Ryman’s death in 1904, the tabernacle was unofficially declared ‘The Ryman Auditorium.’ However, it was under Lula Naff’s management in which
slightly further from Nashville. In the course of its time as ‘Grand Ole Opry House,’ The Ryman Auditorium had seen many artists take to it’s iconic stage, including Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, and many more. The Ryman Auditorium continues to stand as a beacon
of musical heritage amidst downtown Nashville, with artists and music fans alike still longing to catch a show at the historical and venue, where it’s legacy remains as
the ‘WSM Barn Dance,’ before the name ‘Grand Ole Opry’ was coined by George D. Hay in 1927, a name which resonates across the globe. As previously mentioned, the iconic backdrop for
the Grand Ole Opry was the Ryman Auditorium, where the show resided from 1943 until 1974, and witnessed influential figures from the country music’s past. Following the departure of the Grand Ole Opry
show from the Ryman Auditorium on March 15th 1974. The next evening saw the glistening debut of The Grand Ole Opry House, a new 4,440 seat venue located just twenty minutes away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Nashville. With developed facilities, and added space, the
Grand Ole Opry House thrived and established itself as an influential location in Nashville’s music scene. A legacy which still stands tall today.
the Ryman was to become the iconic venue that we know today. Originally the secretary for the Auditorium, Naff made the decision to lease the Ryman as an independent talent agent. A successful venture which resulted in numerous performers and acts selling out the venue. In 1920, Naff was officially appointed as the director of the Ryman Auditorium, as her hard work and dedication had catapulted the auditorium into the spotlight. Artists came from far and wide to perform at the Ryman
Auditorium, and in 1943, the Grand Ole Opry begun performances at the auditorium, where it stayed for 31 years. Earning the name ‘Grand Ole Opry House.’ The Grand Ole Opry stayed at the Ryman until 1974, when the show decided to move to a bigger premises
the ‘church of country music.’
Opry has witnessed an evolution of country music right from its humble beginnings back in 1925. The Opry originated as a radio station named ‘WSM,’ a radio station which continues to broadcast live performances from the Grand Ole Opry. The Grand Ole Opry broadcast was originally known as
Grand Ole Opry CELEBRATING its 100th year in 2025, The Grand Ole
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