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On July 24, Historic Nashville Inc. and the National Trust for Historic Preservation are co-hosting a special event, Rally the Row, to raise awareness of the ongoing threats to Music Row’s survival and key actions Metro Nashville and the public can take to support it.

Music Row is a unique area that has produced some of the world’s greatest music for over 60 years. Now the area at the heart of Nashville’s worldwide recognition as Music City is in danger of being lost forever. Since 2013, 43 buildings with music industry connections have been demolished in Music Row—most to make way for apartment buildings.Now an additional five buildings on 16th Avenue, including Bobby’s Idle Hour, are threatened by the wrecking ball. The buildings – 1022, 1024, 1026, 1028 and 1030 – have housed music industry businesses for decades.

To gather our strength and show support for this one-of-a-kind music-making mecca, all are welcome to attend Rally the Row event on July 24 at Bobby’s Idle Hour, 1028 16th Ave. S., in the heart of Music Row. The event will feature live entertainment from some of Nashville’s best artists, musicians, and songwriters and information about ways the public can get involved in the effort to save Music Row.

Can’t make it? There are things you can do today to keep the music on Music Row. Sign our petition to let Nashville’s elected officials know Music Row matters to you, and urge them to take immediate steps to protect it. Purchase your own Save Music Row T-shirt and take the new Music Row guided walking tour the next time you’re in Nashville. Proceeds from the T-shirt and walking tour tickets will support a new Music Row Preservation Fund.

Together we can save #MusicRow!

Event details:

Rally the Row!
July 24, 2018
4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Bobby’s Idle Hour
1028 16^th Avenue South

It's not every day that a historic neighborhood gets to claim a Nobel laureate, but this week, Nashville's Music Row got that honor when Bob Dylan was announced as the winner of the 2016 Nobel Prize for Literature. According to Carolyn Brackett, senior field officer here at the National Trust, Dylan's decision to record in Nashville was spurred in part by his friendship with Johnny Cash, whom he had met at the Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island in 1964.

Two years later, in 1966, Bob Dylan recorded Blonde on Blonde on Music Row, working with the Nashville Cats, who were top studio musicians. Following that success, Dylan made two additional albums on Music Row — John Wesley Harding in 1967 and the country music-style Nashville Skyline in 1968.

Through the end of this year, the Country Music Hall of Fame is featuring an exhibit called "Dylan, Cash and the Nashville Cats: A New Music City," which looks at the relationship between the two musicians and how it changed the Nashville music scene.

"Bob Dylan’s decision to record in Nashville in 1966 provided a major catalyst for bringing many others to what must have seemed like a very unlikely destination in the politically polarized sixties. In spite of its reputation as a conservative town, removed from the main trends in popular music, Nashville was home to musicians who had a huge influence on other music scenes of the era."

Read more: Dylan, Cash, and the Nashville Cats: A New Music City

And learn more about Bob Dylan's Nobel Prize vial the New York Times: Bob Dylan Wins Nobel Prize, Redefining Boundaries of Literature

This weekend, Historic Nashville released its annual list of Music City's endangered sites, known as the Nashville Nine. The city's vast music history was front and center, with the entirety of Music Row (also one of our National Treasures) making the list for a second consecutive year. In addition, two specific buildings on Music Row – Sammy B’s/Figilo’s on the Row and the Florence Crittenton Home for Unwed Mothers/Warner Brothers Records – as well as a third studio – Starday-King Sound Studios – made the list.

The focus on places related to music comes as Nashville is growing in ways that put the history of industry that made it famous at risk.

"'It's just as much about preservation of the Nashville music community as it is about the properties,' said Sharon Corbitt-House, an artist manager whose clients include Ben Folds. She is the chairwoman for this year's Nashville Nine. 'Music is about stories and places and events. We're talking about preserving places that hold stories that we hope will be shared with the rest of the world through music.'" (The Tennesseean)

Learn more about this year's Nashville Nine via Historic Nashville or one of these stories:

• The Tennessean: 2016 Nashville Nine: Music City's most endangered historic places
• Nashville Public Radio: Nashville’s Annual List Of Endangered Properties Now Includes Entire Neighborhoods
• WKRN: List of Nashville’s 9 most endangered historic places released

As announced yesterday in The Tennessean, the country rockers, Florida Georgia Line have joined our effort to celebrate and save Nashville’s Music Row!

Multi-platinum selling artists Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, the duo behind the band, are best known for their major hits including “Cruise,” “Anything Goes” and “Get Your Shine On.” Now, through their artist development and publishing company, Tree Vibez Music, they will also be known for helping to bring awareness and energy to the effort to preserve Music Row.

For a limited time, the band is inviting friends and fans to show their passion for Music Row by purchasing a limited edition “Music Row Junkie” t-shirt. Proceeds from the sale of these t-shirts will support the design of a walking tour app that residents and visitors from around the world can use to experience Music Row’s history and unique story as the heart and soul of Music City for more than 60 years.

"Like so many others, Music Row has been a huge part of mine and Tyler’s career,” said Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley. “We wanted to find a way to give back for all it's given us and help preserve its legacy. We’re excited for these Music Row stories to educate and inspire music lovers from around the world for years to come!"

“Music Row Junkie” t-shirts are available through Tree Vibez, in partnership with the National Trust, the Music Industry Coalition, and fan engagement company Wonderful Union.

They can be purchased online at www.MusicRowJunkie.com for a limited time.

Wear your love for Music Row with pride!

Great news! Our work to raise awareness of Music Row as hub of music history reached a new milestone!

On May 4th, the Tennessee Historical Commission’ s State Review Board unanimously approved our study of Music Row’s national historic significance and our National Register of Historic Places nomination for Music Row’s House of David Recording Studio. Both documents were prepared by the Trust’s National Treasure program manager, Carolyn Brackett and Robbie Jones of New South Associates, Inc.

Both Carolyn and co-researcher/co-author Robbie Jones, are featured in a television segment by Channel 5, the Nashville CBS affiliate.

The Music Row research document, called a Multiple Property Designation Form surveys Music Row history from 1895 to the present, examining the history of the 209-acre neighborhood and more than 300 properties located within. Our research identified 64 properties that could be historically significant enough to be eligible for individual listing on the National Register. The MPDF thus provides the essential groundwork for property owners to pursue listing their building on the National Register, a voluntary, honorary distinction that will help raise awareness of their national significance and make them eligible for historic tax credits for their rehabilitation.

It is important to note that National Register designation does not convey any restrictions or protections to the exterior or interior of the property, nor can it be bestowed upon a building without an owner’s consent. If a property owner desires actual protections for their building to ensure its historic integrity and market value in the future, they can seek landmark status from the Metro Nashville Historical Commission which does enact design guidelines.

The MPDF will next go to the National Park Service for approval, at which point the NPS will have 45 days to take action or request additional information.

Meanwhile our work will continue in earnest to develop recommendations for preservation, tourism and economic support of the music industry on Music Row. Stay tuned!