Tell legislators: Music Row destruction must stop
Sad but true: Music Row is disappearing, one historic building at a time.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has now designated Music Row as one of “America’s Eleven Most Endangered Historic Places for 2019.” Sign the petition here.
Those modest little houses along Sixteenth and Seventeenth Avenue are where so many of Country music’s best-known songs were written or recorded. Some of the buildings had signs outside, identifying the name of the music publishing company or the recording studio that was hidden inside. But many remained anonymous, their identity known only to the session musicians, sound engineers, songwriters and recording artists that could be seen entering or leaving at all hours of the day and night.
Even now, tour buses slow down as they pass up and down Music Row and the tour guide describes points of interest. But now, too often, tour guides are telling tourists about “a landmark that used to be on this site” while the bus passengers stare out at another soulless block of condos.
50 demolitions since 2013
Soon, there’ll be no reason for tour buses to even bother to visit Music Row. And then maybe there’ll be no reason for tourists to visit Nashville. A sad statistic: Since 2013, there have been 50 demolitions on Music Row with more buildings slated for demolition in the coming months.
Even if we don’t care about tourism, these buildings are still the places where musical history was made for more than six decades. They are part of Nashville’s historical legacy and they are slipping away like sand through our fingers. It’s not too late, but time is running out.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation and Historic Nashville, Inc. want you to “Speak Up for Music Row.” Voice your support for creating new preservation incentives and ending zoning exemptions to sustain Music Row’s vital importance to Music City.
Here’s how you can make a difference.
Go to this link and sign a petition voicing your concern about the destruction on Nashville’s world-famous Music Row.
Together, we can tell our State and City officials that Music Row is an important part of our history. They need to take action before all of it is gone. Music Row is the beating heart of Nashville’s musical heritage. Don’t let it flatline.
Find out more about Historic Nashville, Inc. here. Visit the main site for the National Trust for Historical Preservation here.
Preshias Harris is a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com