What Everybody Ought To Know…About This Nashville Creative Business

Fast Company magazine recognizes Nashville as a city on the verge — one of five Cultural Centers shaping the world’s future.

A convergence city possesses opportunity (a culture that nurtures creative action and game-changing enterprise), innovation (investing in physical, cultural, and intellectual infrastructure that will sustain growth) and energy (that ethereal thing that happens when creative people collect in one place).

When asked about prior knowledge of Nashville, Irish guests visiting O’More College of Design answered, “Tennessee Ernie Ford, Jack Daniels and country music.”

We who call Music City home know there is much more to this artists’ paradise. Nashville is known as “The Athens Of The South” because of its myriad institutions of higher education. Today we are a metro area that claims more musicians per capita than anywhere on earth. The Schermerhorn is one of the premiere Symphony Halls in the world. We have a Film Festival and a Screenwriter’s Conference. Our Nashville Children’s Theatre has been ranked by TIME magazine as one of the top five children’s theatres in the country.

The new downtown library is one of the finest in the world. The library’s Public Arts Program brought in local graphic artists, authors, photographers, painters, sculptors, and metalworkers to enrich the building. Within her environs Nashville contains world famous Music Row, music powerhouses BMI and ASCAP, over 180 recording studios, more than 80 record labels, 130 music publishers, 40 national producers of ad jingles, 27 entertainment publications, 5,000 working union musicians, the Contemporary Christian Music Industry and major book publishing companies, including Ingram Industries – one of America’s largest privately held businesses.

Total employment impact of her music industry is more than 54,000 jobs and the economic impact totals $6.38 billion. Billion! Seattle, Austin, Memphis and the state of Georgia combined totals only $3.14 billion.

This “green” multi-billion dollar arts business also brings the advantage of a clean industry. Brains – not buildings and factories – house the power of the creative class, producing beauty rather than toxic waste.

Like Florence, Italy and the powerful Medici family – Nashville affords local connoisseurs the ability to patronize the arts as do few cities worldwide. We must rethink our buying patterns and look within to our own creatives for art purchases and commissions.

The hope is that when global citizens are asked in the future what Nashville means to them, they will not answer as Edmund Blackadder memorably lamented, “To us the Renaissance was just something that happened to other people”. Sadly, it was probably the citizens of Florence to whom he was referring. For nowhere else were the ingredients that enabled the Renaissance to flourish–a politically-active citizenry, a vigorous humanist movement and abundant wealth–better blended.

Nashville has these ingredients and must seek to enhance them to hold her head high as a global cultural center. A city that chooses not to sit on her creative class as a Renaissance passes her by.

Question: If I ask about your impression of Nashville, what would it be?

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17 responses to “What Everybody Ought To Know…About This Nashville Creative Business”

  1. Laurinda Avatar

    Before the Re:Create Cruise, I thought Nashville was too country and full of “wanna be” country artists. I didn’t have a good impression of a most southern states. I was sharing with my friends after the cruise that the folks from Nashville was nothing like what I expecting so maybe Nashville isn’t so bad!

  2. Michelle Avatar

    Friend of mine that has lived there for 23 years now described it best – Mayberry with nightlife.

    1. Randy Elrod Avatar

      @Michelle, “Mayberry with nightlife.” Ha!!! Thanks, Michelle!!

  3. mandythompson Avatar

    I went once when I was in college, and it felt big. Of course, I’d not seen much of anything larger than Statesboro, Georgia. (“Where?” you ask. Exactly.)

    Went again and again recently, after moving back home from Boston.

    This time, it felt southern and…(forgive me) small. Still intimidating, but that’s because the people there are living my dream and I’m keenly aware of that fact.

    1. Randy Elrod Avatar

      @mandythompson, “Still intimidating, but that’s because the people there are living my dream and I’m keenly aware of that fact.” Thanks, Mandy!!

  4. Rich Kirkpatrick Avatar

    A place where dreams are the norm. And, where people like Randy Elrod live! Tempting to move if the right timing and opportunity arose!

    1. Randy Elrod Avatar

      @Rich Kirkpatrick, “A place where dreams are the norm.” So true, Rich!!

  5. Chuck Harris Avatar

    i would move to Nashville (Franklin specifically) tomorrow, but my current circumstances require me to stay in Texas (my home state, that i love dearly). i guess i feel fresh and understood in the city. but to be truthful a great city and community are only made great by people, and i think that’s what makes Nashville great. it’s a community, much like Austin where creativity and being “a little off” is valued rather than pushed to the side. i will do my best to get there every February for sure.

    1. Randy Elrod Avatar

      @Chuck Harris, Yes, love it that you are here every Feb, Chuck. I love this “it’s a community, much like Austin where creativity and being “a little off” is valued rather than pushed to the side.”

  6. Kyle Reed Avatar

    Energetic and Inspiring

    1. Randy Elrod Avatar

      @Kyle Reed, Thanks, Kyle!! Yes, it is!!

  7. Keith Jennings Avatar

    Nashville remains one of my favorite places I’ve lived. I’ve lived in Dalton, GA, Atlanta, GA, Clearwater, FL, Tallahassee, FL, Fort Worth, TX, Dallas, TX, New Orleans, LA and Nashville, TN. Some of those I’ve done twice!

    Nashville – it’s people, it’s habitats – nursed me back to life during a very traumatic and dark period.

    Most folks don’t know that Nashville is a significant healthcare hub. It houses the most healthcare companies per capita than any city in the U.S. (last stats I’ve seen).

    And for a guy who has never followed country or Christian music, it offers a great alternative and indie music scene. And a great community for literary folks like me.

    1. Randy Elrod Avatar

      @Keith Jennings, Yes, thanks, Keith!! Wow! You get around!!

  8. Jim Drake Avatar

    I agree. There’s a culture of creativity that gets creatives there. It’s like you’ve landed on a planet that understands you.

    Jim

    1. Randy Elrod Avatar

      @Jim Drake, Yes, indeed, Jim!!

  9. Fred McKinnon Avatar

    Nashville – I often say that if I were to move, it would be there. And not because I’m chasing dreams of being a songwriter or artist. I’m already that. Don’t need Nashville to prove it, and don’t need a “record deal” or “song agreement”. I just love the vibe of the city, the culture, the diversity. Plus, they actually have seasons there. Unlike here in the deep south Georgia!

    1. Randy Elrod Avatar

      @Fred McKinnon, Fred, 4 Seasons in one day at times, pardon the lift of lyrics. But yes, Nashville rocks!