Nashville music (fit in, live in, restaurants)

[meltinjohn]

I wanted to ask those who live in Nashville what their take on the music spectrum is.
I know Nashville is music city so I wont ask if this has a good or bad music scene, however I do want to know if it really is how I think of it in terms of the more popular country music being promoted over anything else and if indie musicians find it a real struggle to fit in or make it in those parts. It seems this way from what I heard. Its like the music culture only revolves around those who want to kiss others asses. Like this big music capitol that doesnt notice the underground greats that they do have. If I recall correct, Elvis and Johnny Cash both got rejected from Nashville.

[yank283]

I've posted a few times regarding this subject...so I apologize if i'm wearing it out - Here's a few articles dealing with similiar issues - indie artists fitting in inside Music City. There's quite a few that live in East Nashville and there's quite a burgening scene. Some people are comparing it to Austin in the 70's. I think it might be more similiar to Denton's (TX) scene right now (only with more high profile musician cameos thrown in)...

Nashville's Band of Outsiders -

Nashville’s Band of Outsiders - New York Times

Short Todd Snider interview -

Synthesis : Music : Todd Snider : Todd Snider : East Nashville Livin (http://www.synthesis.net/music/interview/item-7074/2008-06-24-todd_snider - broken link)

and a indie artist that has been getting some time on the stage of the Opry recently -
Elizabeth Cook - Sometimes It Takes Balls to be a Woman.

Elizabeth Cook: Home

[New England 2 Nashville]

Not sure if I am answering your question, but I am just blown away by the great non-country music that has Nashville roots, across a number of genres. The Raconteurs (Jack White), Kings of Leon, Old Crowe Medicine Show, Matt Wertz, Paramore, Young Buck, Josh Rouse, Pink Spiders, Mat Kearney just off of the top of my had without really thinking about it. I'm sure I'm leaving a number of great artists out...

Last week was the "Next Big Nashville" festival, and I believe in addition to a boatload of shows they had panels to discuss questions just like yours...you can google Next Big nashville for the link.

Music is half the reason I came here, and I am not talking about country, or whaetver passes for country these days.

[yank283]

Originally Posted by New England 2 Nashville

Not sure if I am answering your question, but I am just blown away by the great non-country music that has Nashville roots, across a number of genres. The Raconteurs (Jack White), Kings of Leon, Old Crowe Medicine Show, Matt Wertz, Paramore, Young Buck, Josh Rouse, Pink Spiders, Mat Kearney just off of the top of my had without really thinking about it. I'm sure I'm leaving a number of great artists out...

Last week was the "Next Big Nashville" festival, and I believe in addition to a boatload of shows they had panels to discuss questions just like yours...you can google Next Big nashville for the link.

Music is half the reason I came here, and I am not talking about country, or whaetver passes for country these days.

Here's a blog about the so called "Nashville Curse" regarding the shadow of mainstream country music that hangs over any artists outside of Music Row -

Nashville News, Events, Restaurants, Music from Nashville Scene

Quote - "If you've toiled in Nashville's rock scene for any amount of time, you've no doubt heard of the dreaded Nashville Curse. After Jason and the Nashville Scorchers were pressured to drop "Nashville" from their moniker to hit it big in the '80s, the skies darkened and Hank Williams, Sr. wept, dooming all Nashville rock acts to sell less than a million records.
For decades since that dark day, many locals have believed that we'll always be wedded to the outside perception that Nashville can only do twang. Or that we're so infected by Music Row's polish that we're too busy looking at the bottom line to really focus on being bona fide artists. Or perhaps we're not influenced enough by formula and cliche, and our rock acts, no matter how talented, still can't pull a hot-**** hit out of their asses. Or maybe the problem is Nashville audiences, who've cursed our locals and touring bands with our indifference..."

[New England 2 Nashville]

Originally Posted by yank283

Here's a blog about the so called "Nashville Curse" regarding the shadow of mainstream country music that hangs over any artists outside of Music Row -

Nashville News, Events, Restaurants, Music from Nashville Scene

Great link; thanks for that.