Music

The Texas Troubadour, Ernest Tubb, founded his famous record store on Broadway in 1947. Ernest Tubb’s Record Shop (417 Broadway, 615/255-7503) remains an excellent source of classic and modern country music recordings, as well as DVDs, books, clothing, and souvenirs. At the back of the shop you can see the stage where Ernest Tubb’s Midnite Jamboree [1] was recorded and aired after the Grand Ole Opry [2] on Saturday nights. The Jamboree still airs, but it’s recorded at the Texas Troubadour Theatre in Music Valley.

For new and used CDs, DVDs, and vinyl, go to Grimey’s (1604 8th Ave. S., 615/254-4801). Here you’ll find a wide selection of not just country, but rock, folk, blues, R&B, and other genres. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly.

If you want to make your own music, head to Gruhn Guitars (400 Broadway, 615/256-2033), a guitar shop with one of the best reputations in the music world. Founded by guitar expert George Gruhn, the shop is considered by some the best vintage guitar shop in the world. Shiny guitars, banjos, mandolins, and fiddles looks like candy hung up on the walls of the Broadway storefront that serves both up-and-coming and established Nashville musicians.

Nashville’s [3] other guitar shop is the Gibson Bluegrass Showcase (Opry Mills, 615/514-2233). Part retail outlet, part live music venue, the Gibson store celebrates both the instruments and the sound of bluegrass music. You can buy fiddles, mandolins, Dobros, or guitars, and they will ship all over the world.

If country music is just one of many musical interests, head to The Great Escape (1925 Broadway, 615/327-0646). This record and comic book shop was founded in 1977, and continues to offer a pleasing array of used CDs, records, and cassettes for music fans. The location near Vanderbilt attracts a youthful clientele.