Tennessee Music Pathways is more than a statewide tour of hundreds of landmarks. It is the thread that connects us to the musical heartbeat of our past. It tells the stories of people and places that gave birth to what we call roots music. That music is the seed that grew into the seven genres of music that Tennessee is known for: blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll.
In Rutherford County, we celebrate that deep heritage with four Music Pathways markers. Take a tour of the places where Middle Tennessee music left its mark.
Middle Tennessee Center for Popular Music
Start your tour of our musical heritage by browsing the rotating exhibits at the Middle Tennessee Center for Popular Music. As part of Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Media and Entertainment, the center contains more than a million items, including recordings, manuscripts, sheet music, photographs, posters and more. Learn about everything from Civil War music to female blues singers through the collection.
The center holds lectures, concerts, social media engagement events and other projects. It’s also the home of Spring Fed Records, studio, store and more. The center is open whenever MTSU offices are open, usually 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Chris Young Café
Also at MTSU, you’ll find the Chris Young Café, named in honor of the Grammy- and Academy of Country Music-nominated vocalist, who attended MTSU. “I was born and raised in Murfreesboro,” he says, “It’s where I learned to love music. I sang in the choir in high school at Oakland, and that was a really formative time for me.
“I played gigs around the square and I was in the ‘Boro when I first heard one of my songs on the radio. It will always be an important place for me. Murfreesboro's downtown square has a lot of history and is a cool place to walk around."
The cafe, located in the Woodmore Building at 319 Friendship Street, serves many purposes—a teaching and practice space, campus hangout spot and state-of-the-art performance venue.
“I always try to help MTSU when I can,” Young said. “When the Recording Industry department came to us with an opportunity to help students get hands-on experience, it was a big ‘YES’ from me. I love that we have some of my career memorabilia hanging up, too.”
The cafe includes a large stage with custom LED video wall, seating areas, artwork and recording industry memorabilia. The facility is designed to help students learn all facets of entertainment business.
"The space is a great way for production and business students to get real-world experience with live events. Whether it is producing live sound and stage productions or the backend business stuff with promoting an event, the cafe has what the students need to hone their craft. I’m proud to have my name on it," Young adds.
After exploring the cafe, be sure to take a selfie at the marker outside and another in front of the “Famous Friends” mural that showcases Young and other influential people affiliated with MTSU.
“The Tennessee Music Pathways marker was a humbling addition outside of the cafe,” Young says. “The ‘Famous Friends’ mural is a great way to show the school’s impact on the music business as well.”
Uncle Dave Macon—Where It All Began
For 46 years, Uncle Dave Macon Days has brought the old-time music of Tennessee to the forefront with a renowned festival. Uncle Dave Macon Days Presents the renamed Roots Rendezvous, Sept. 6 and 7 at Hop Springs Beer park. The theme, “From Harvest to Hoedown,” is a nod to the area’s agricultural roots. Farmers would celebrate the harvest by literally putting their down hoes and letting loose with music and square dancing.
With a full line-up of Americana, bluegrass, country and roots music performers and dancers, the festival pays tribute once again to the legendary songwriter and banjo player Uncle Dave Macon. The first star of the Grand Ole Opry on WSM Radio in Nashville, Macon was a charismatic performer known for his big, black hat and pipe. His songs were based on his personal experiences, both growing up in his parents’ Nashville hotel and, later, as a mule driver hauling freight.
Possibly the person most instrumental in bringing old-time music into the mainstream, Macon influenced generations of stars, from Hank Williams to Old Crow Medicine Show.
Check out the Uncle Dave Music Pathways marker on Murfreesboro’s Main Street square and enjoy the shops and restaurants there before heading to the festival in the relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere of Hop Springs Beer Park. In addition to the music and dancing, there will be educational and interpretive exhibits, arts and crafts, and a fashion show.
The festival, which started out on the square in Murfreesboro in the 1970s, was the brainchild of local pharmacist Jesse Messick. His plan to honor the flamboyant Opry star while giving a boost to local businesses eventually grew into a national competition for banjo picking and old-time dancing. It also became a launchpad for future superstars in country and roots music.
Winners and honorees in later years included Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent, the Chicks, Jamie Dailey (of Dailey and Vincent) and Marty Stuart. Before COVID canceled live performances in 2020, the festival saw as many as 40,000 visitors each year.
After a period of virtual performances in lieu of the live festival, the relocation to Hop Springs Beer Park is a perfect fit, says Gloria Shacklett Christy, who took over the festival from Jesse Messick in 1987. She became part of the story through her family’s photography business. Her father had taken pictures of the festival from the beginning and created an exhibit of historic photos in the courthouse.
“We had been trying to hold it at Hop Spring for years,” she says. “Roots Rendezvous is very close to where Uncle Dave’s house was at Readyville Mill. It’s just the perfect place.”
“We wanted to preserve the brand because so many artists from 1978 to now got their start at Uncle Dave Macon Days. We’re excited because we see so much young, emerging talent. And we’re recognizing the old,” she says.
More than a festival, the organization goes into schools to teach the history of music in the area, and has produced a play about the life of Dave Macon and his outsized influence on modern music. In fact, his was the largest funeral in the history of Rutherford County, with a procession that stretched for miles. Among the pallbearers was Hank Williams, who counted Macon as an important influence.
The organization also assists musicians and artists through its CHORD initiative to build partnerships between musicians, artists, event organizers and venues.
While you’re in town for the festival, take a beat to visit Oaklands Mansion’s Fall Arts and Crafts Fair on Saturday, Sept. 7 and tour the historic site.
History and Live Music at Miller’s Grocery
Two of our favorite things — music and great food — come together at Miller’s Grocery in Christiana. Once a whistle-stop town on the railroad line from Chattanooga to Nashville, its centerpiece was a general store for more than 75 years.
A rural store with two Amoco gas pumps, Miller’s Grocery was sold at auction in the early 1980s and repurposed as a restaurant in 1995. Named for long-time owner Stanley Miller, the spot features home-style cooking and award-winning desserts to die for.
Miller’s carries on the musical traditions of the community with live music, comedy and other performances on weekends.
There’s always something happening in Rutherford County, and September is the perfect time to explore. Come travel the Music Pathways of Rutherford County and experience the sounds of Tennessee with us.