Diving into North Nashville’s artistic heritage, then and now

Sixty years ago, North Nashville was a thriving cultural oasis. There were taverns and gambling joints, restaurants and ice cream parlors, boarding houses and nightclubs that drew the likes of Etta James and Jimi Hendrix. Construction of Interstate 40 through North Nashville in the 1970s split the historically Black neighborhood in two, severed community ties and brought noise and pollution.

Much of the Black middle class that had sustained North Nashville moved away, leading to years of neglect and disrepair. Today, a new generation is working to honor the artistic heritage of the area while also bringing it into the future.

We’ll begin today’s show with an update from WPLN criminal justice reporter Paige Pfleger on the Covenant shooting.

Guests: 

• Elisheba Israel Mrozik, owner of One Drop Ink Tattoo Parlour and Gallery
• Jordan Harris, owner of Alkebu-Lan Images
• Lucius “Spoonman” Talley, musician

Additional reading:

• This Is Nashville: Etta James once rocked the New Era Club, one of North Nashville’s most famous stages. Today only a few pieces remain.