There are very few cities in the world where the mere mention of the name conjures up vivid images. Nashville is one of those places. Whether it’s a young singer with a guitar slung across his shoulder, music ringing from the rafters of the historic Ryman Auditorium, an acoustic set by one of Nashville’s famed songwriters, or the high-energy pyrotechnics that accompany performances by today’s hottest superstars, thoughts naturally turn to entertainment when you hear Music City.

Music is the very heart of Nashville. You can hear great music 24/7, 365 days a year. Long recognized as the world’s capital of country music, Music City also boasts sounds of pop, rock, gospel, bluegrass, jazz, classical, contemporary Christian, blues, and soul. With more than 180 live music venues, there is something for everyone. Enjoy a concert under the night sky at the outdoor Ascend Amphitheater on downtown Music City’s riverfront with the skyline as a beautiful backdrop. You’ll catch star-dusted pickers and songwriters all over town, in places like bluegrass venue Station Inn, the rockin’ Mercy Lounge, the honky tonks on Broadway, the song-centered Bluebird Cafe or the legendary Ryman Auditorium. One of the most legendary hotspots, the Bluebird Cafe showcases songwriters performing original material in an intimate “in-the-round” setting. You will hear yourself saying, “That’s who wrote that?” all throughout the night.

Joining the various music venues are the plethora of music attractions that dot the town; from the world-famous Grand Ole Opry and Schermerhorn Symphony Center, to the Country Music Hall of Fame and RCA Studio B, Nashville represents every type of musical genre. Located on historic Music Row, RCA Studio B is Nashville’s oldest recording studio and home to over 250 hits by Elvis Presley, including “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”

While Nashville plays host to major music events including Tin Pan South, Americana Music Festival and Conference, CMA Fest, and the CMA Awards, the city also puts on a multi-day event for July 4th and New Year’s Eve. These events are free and open to the public, and include an all-star lineup of music performances throughout the day and night.

With such a collection of music venues, performance stages, and events, it is not unusual to have a ‘celebrity run-in’ at any time of the year. Nashville’s creative and diverse community attracts country and non-country artists alike, as folks such as Jack White, Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, Matt Wertz, Bela Fleck, Brad Paisley, Ben Folds, Alison Krauss, Kings of Leon, Taylor Swift, Sheryl Crow, Peter Frampton, Paramore, Michael W. Smith, Martina McBride, Kelly Clarkson, Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman, Barbara Mandrell and many more – all call Nashville home.