Nashville is packed with personality, history, and plenty of surprising stories. From music legends to quirky traditions, here are 15 fun facts that make Music City one of the most interesting places in the world.
1. Hot Chicken Was Born Out of Revenge
Nashville’s famous hot chicken wasn’t created by a chef. It was created to be a punishment!
In the 1930s, Thornton Prince’s girlfriend was upset because she thought he was cheating on her with another woman. So, she made him his favorite meal, friend chicken. But, she loaded it up with cayenne pepper, thinking it would make it too hot for Thornton to enjoy.
Unfortunately, it didn’t work the way she planned. He LOVED it! He loved it so much they opened a restaurant that started the trend.
2. Fans Throw Catfish at Hockey Games
Supporters of the Nashville Predators have a unique tradition. Like Detroit Red Wings fans who throw octopuses on the ice at hockey games, Nashville Predators fans throw catfish onto the ice. It’s strange, messy, and totally Nashville.
3. Nashville Built a Full-Scale Parthenon
In 1897 Nashville built a replica of the Parthenon from Athens. At that time, the city had the nickname of the “Athens of the South.” The original was meant to be temporary for the Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition. However, the building was very popular and so it was rebuilt between 1920 and 1931 as a full size replica that you can still visit at Centennial Plaza. Inside, you will find a 32 foot tall, gold statue of Athena.
4. The Grand Ole Opry Is a Record-Setter
The Grand Ole Opry is broadcast every Saturday evening on radio station WSM. It is the longest-running live radio show in the world, dating back to 1927.
5. The Ryman Auditorium Started as a Church
The iconic Ryman Auditorium was built by Thomas Ryman who was a business man and riverboat captain in Nashville. He was not a religious man and one day he went to a tent revival to run off a traveling preacher (Thomas was afraid the preacher would hurt his businesses that involved gambling and drinking). However, when Thomas heard the sermon, he decided to change his ways. He built the Union Gospel Tabernacle for the traveling preacher. After Thomas passed away, the name of the building was changed to the Ryman Auditorium in Thomas’ honor.
6. Two People Are Buried Inside the Capitol
The Tennessee State Capitol building doubles as a tomb. The architect and builder both felt the building was their crowning achievements in their careers and asked to be buried in the building.
7. A U.S. President is Buried on the Grounds of the Capitol
President James K. Polk and his wife are buried on the Capitol grounds. James Polk was also a governor of Tennessee. He loved the area so much he asked to be buried on the capitol grounds.
8. Nashville Had the First School to Train Seeing-Eye Dogs
The Seeing Eye was the first school to train service animals to assist the blind. It was opened on January 29th, 1929.
9. The City Inspired a Famous Coffee Slogan
Maxwell House Coffee was served at and named after the Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville.
10. The Design of Country Music Hall of Fame Is Steeped in Symbolism
- The outside of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has the following features:
- wooden blocks that represent music notes for the song “Will the Circle Be Unbroken”
- four discs that represent the different sizes of records
- a miniature replica of the WSM tower
- windows set in a 3-2, 3-2 pattern to represent the black keys on a piano
- the building resembles a bass clef from an aerial view.
11. Nashville Is a Vinyl Record Powerhouse
United Record Pressing in Nashville is the largest vinyl record manufacturer in North America and has been in operation since 1949.
12. The Goo Goo Cluster Was The First Mass Produced Combination Candy Bar
Invented in 1912, the Goo Goo Cluster is considered one of the first mass produced candy bars to combine multiple ingredients. The original Goo Goo Cluster included caramel, marshmallow, and peanuts all wrapped in milk chocolate. The only Goo Goo Cluster shop in the world can be found on 3rd Avenue in Nashville, TN.
13. Elvis Recorded Hundreds of Songs Here
Elvis Presley recorded more than 200 songs in Nashville, including sessions at the legendary RCA Studio B.
14. Nashville Has the “Batman Building”
The iconic AT&T building, which was completed in 1994, is nicknamed the “Batman Building”. The spiral antennas resemble ears on Batman's mask/helmet.
15. The City Hosts the Largest Songwriters Festival
Tin Pan South, held annually in Nashville, is the largest songwriter festival in the world, featuring hundreds of performers across multiple venues.
Nashville is more than just music. It’s a city filled with creativity, history, and a little bit of weirdness. These fun facts are just the beginning of what makes Music City such a memorable place to explore.