Nashville, Tennessee. The place has a brand, pet names and all. But as a first-time visitor, I was able to poke holes in a few of Nashville’s nicknames. Why? Because I had too much time on my hands.
Music City
The basis: Nashville has been a hub of the American music industry for decades, fostering the careers of legends like Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, and so on. It’s home to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, Gibson (the guitar manufacturer), a host of record labels, an endless strip of honky-tonks, and a bunch of other music-related stuff.
The critique: As mentioned previously, most people who live in Nashville stink at music. Based on other common livelihoods, reasonable monikers would be Nurse City, Prison City, Bureaucrat City, Tire City, and Bible City.
Nashvegas
The basis: The aforementioned strip of honky-tonks can feel like one big bash, a magnet for bachelorette parties and other events that revolve around Las Vegas-style debauchery.
The critique: Casinos are illegal in Tennessee!
Athens of the South
The basis: The city is home to an array of educational institutions and has a full-scale replica of the Parthenon, including a massive statue of the goddess Athena.
The critique: Does anyone actually want to be Athens anymore?
Smashville
The basis: This term was coined as a marketing tool for the Nashville Predators, the local NHL team, eventually becoming a sobriquet for the city itself.
The critique: If we’re talking hockey, why not Slashville or Gashville?
The Protestant Vatican
The basis: Nashville serves as headquarters for numerous Protestant denominations, many which run their publishing divisions from the city.
The critique: Protestants are supposed to be opposed to the doctrine of papal supremacy, i.e. not be fans of the Pope. So why the shout out to the Vatican?
The Buckle of the Bible Belt
The basis: In addition to the above, the city is home to hundreds of churches, the Christian music industry, Thomas Nelson (one of the world’s largest Bible publishers), and Gideons International (one of the world’s largest Bible distributors).
The critique: It’s hard to argue too much, but how can we be sure that Nashvegas isn’t the strap, tongue, or loop?
Cashville
The basis: Local rapper Young Buck released an album called Straight Outta Cashville, thereby popularizing the nickname.
The critique: Even gangstas use Venmo these days.
Little Kurdistan
The basis: Nashville has the largest Kurdish population in the US.
The critique: Not to rub salt in the wounds of Kurds, but Kurdistan is not actually a country.
The Hot Chicken Capital
The basis: Nashville is known for its spicy take on southern fried chicken.
The critique: None whatsoever. Of all Nashville’s nicknames, this is the most aspirational—an effort should be made to eat this stuff for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
As a final thought, the demonym for one who lives in Nashville is Nashvillian. Why not Nashvillain?
4 Responses
lot to digest.. How about that hotel with a river cruise inside the hotel ,little Italy imitation
Aspirational Kurdistan-lot of politics.
I think that’s the Gaylord Opryland Resort. And yes, all sorts of politics and contradictions—makes for a fun place.
What a moron … There are more great musicians per capita in Nashville that don’t even play for a living than just about any other town in the nation … get over it …
Appreciate the comment. This was all in good fun—my son is moving to Nashville for music!