Nashville is the capital of the state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is the second most populous city in the state. The city is a major center for the health care, music, publishing, banking and transportation industries.

History

In 1779, Nashville was founded by James Robertson, John Donelson, and a party of Wataugans, and was originally called Fort Nashborough, after the American Revolutionary War hero Francis Nash. Nashville quickly grew because of its choice location, accessibility as a river port, and its later status as a major railroad hub. In 1806, Nashville was incorporated as a city and became the county seat of Davidson County, Tennessee. In 1843, the city was named the permanent capital of the state of Tennessee.

Entertainment and Performing Arts

Nashille is largely associated with the country music business, many popular tourist sites involve country music, including the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Belcourt Theatre, and Ryman Auditorium. Ryman was home to the Grand Ole Opry until 1974 when the show moved to the Grand Ole Opry House nine miles east of downtown.

Several music clubs and honky tonk bars can be found in downtown Nashville, especially the area covering Lower Broadway, Second Avenue, and Printer's Alley, which is often referred to as "the District"

The Christian pop and rock music industry is also based along Nashville's Music Row, with a great influence in neighboring Williamson County. The Christian record companies include EMI (formally Sparrow Records), Rocketown Records, Gotee Records, Beach Street and Reunion Records.