Nashville’s newest and largest rehearsal campus, called Rock Nashville, seeks to solidify the city as the nation’s hub for music and touring.
Justin Barney
Hi, I’m Justin. I was born in Milwaukee, WI. I started as an intern at 88Nine Radio Milwaukee and worked my way up to Music Director. There I started a segment called “From the Music Desk” where I interviewed over 500 artists including Thom York, Lizzo, Steve Martin, and Phoebe Bridgers. At 88nine I also got to speak passionately about the music I love on the radio, which is a true gift and I still get to do every day. There I also made a podcast called “Backspin: The Search for Milwaukee’s First Hip-Hop Song” which I enjoyed doing more than anything else I’ve ever done and was acclaimed in The New York Times. Highlight of my life. I love music, I love people and I love a good yarn. At the end of the day my goal is to tell stories that are as good as the ones my dad tells me. I’ll tell em on the radio, in print, or next to you at the corner bar.
Nashville saves iconic music venue The End
A panic swept through Nashville’s music community this week when beloved venue The End went public with its financial struggles. But in mere hours, we saw how local music-lovers can rally.
Anticipated Nashville albums in 2026
What will the Nashville music scene look like in 2026? We have a solid snapshot of some upcoming local releases — plus early inklings about records that may be brewing. Here are some highlights as we look ahead to the new year.
Nashville as a culinary destination: How the city’s food scene changed in 2025
2025 was a year of fundamental change in Nashville’s food scene. Our city is changing fast, and a food scene is often a directional indication of where it is headed.
NashVillager Podcast holiday edition: Radio as a visual medium
How can a WPLN music story transport you somewhere new?
Curious Nashville: Why did a Nashville bank release a Christmas album?
The album cover intrigues: A choir in red robes singing in the lobby of a bank lobby, with the conductor standing behind a desk of deposit slips. By how did it come to be?
5 albums that represent the evolving sound of Nashville in 2025
Nashville has long been more than country music. The Nashville artists on these five albums are untied to genre or legacy, moving forward with completely new sounds.
Tom Waits tribute Get Behind the Mule raises $20,000 for Second Harvest
One night, legendary doorman Dave Knoll was sitting on the back steps of the OG basement complaining about all the musical tribute shows in Nashville. You know, the ones where multiple musicians play the music of one artist. Dave’s buddy asked him, “What tribute show you would actually pay to see?” Knoll said, “Tom Waits.”
Bonnaroo lineup arrives for June 2026 festival
Rain forced Bonnaroo to cancel almost all of its shows last year, but the festival is back with a new lineup for 2026.
Curious Nashville: Why do we have Chicago-style gyro restaurants?
How a simple question about gyros in Nashville led to epic revelations about how regional food styles come into existence — and the role of one entrepreneur in changing gyros forever.
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