Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2025 i Nashville Lifestyles Magazine

“Every time we walk on stage, it’s to make people feel better and that’s all we want to do. I hope that we just enhanced their life in some way.” Back in November, hit-making country band Old Dominion set a new all-time CMA Awards record. With their seventh consecutive Vocal Group of the Year honor, the group surpassed the back-to-back total of even the most iconic country ensembles in history — only The Statler Brothers and their nine non-consecutive wins now loom on the horizon. And to lead singer Matthew Ramsey, the moment was surreal. With nine Number One singles, yearly headlining tours, and over 5 billion career streams, Old Dominion has come a lot farther than they ever expected — from the plucky debut of “Break Up With Him,”…

WILDER WOODS CURIOSO Catching his creative breath with the alter ego Wilder Woods, NEEDTOBREATHE frontman Bear Rinehart returns for his third solo set, Curioso. Arranged like sonic trophies on a curio-cabinet shelf, throbbing rock anthems with jagged indie edges join high-achieving soul-folk and electro-pop. (Available February 7.) RON POPE AMERICAN MAN, AMERICAN MUSIC Already renowned for unpretentious songcraft, Ron Pope cuts to chase with American Man, American Music — a gut punch of blue-collar balladry, full of “Made In the U.S.A.” grit. Pairing an asphalt vocal rasp with self-penned tales of struggle, his rustic heartland rock isn’t always pretty, but won’t lie. (Available February 14.) THE WAR AND TREATY PLUS ONE With a Valentine’s release from husband-and-wife duo The War And Treaty, a pair of vocal soulmates let loose in…

Music City Roots If you think the name Music City came solely from Nashville’s colossal country music scene, think again. The signature nickname was originally credited to the Fisk Jubilee Singers of Nashville’s very own Fisk University. The first choral ensemble was organized in 1871 and has been introducing and sustaining the tradition of the Negro spiritual ever since by traveling the world singing sacred songs. Legend has it that when Queen Victoria traveled to hear their tour, she was so impressed that she proclaimed that the singers must be from ‘a city of music.’ And the rest is (Music City) history. Today, Fisk University remains a cultural cornerstone of Nashville. The Fisk campus is a National Historic District in recognition of its architectural, historic, and cultural significance. Jubilee Hall,…

In your quest for a downtown rooftop experience that provides great food, drinks, and a jaw-dropping view, there’s no shortage of options. Lower Broadway is peppered with country celeb watering holes offering elevated patio perches. Savvy SoBro hotels such as Four Seasons and The Joseph boast remarkable vistas of Music City and surrounds. But for a different and loftier perspective, visit the Skye Lounge on the 28th floor of the Sheraton Grand. While new, it comes with an intriguing history as Nashville’s first sky-high restaurant. In 1975, there were but a handful of high rises downtown when a new luxury hotel, the Hyatt Regency, opened. At 28 stories, with a structure that looked like a UFO had landed on top, it added a distinctive silhouette to the sparse cityscape. Moreover,…

Love has the power to grow beyond our wildest dreams, and for Seth and Tori Bolt, their love story grew all the way to the mountaintops — literally. When Seth, a member of the band NEEDTOBREATHE, met his now-wife Tori, he was in the process of building a treehouse with the help of his father in South Carolina as a place to rest and recharge. But that vision shifted as his and Tori’s love story began, and suddenly he was building and designing the treehouse to be a place for their honeymoon. Once completed, the magic was undeniable, and the couple realized this creation was something that other couples could enjoy and benefit from just as much as they did. Together, they founded Bolt Farm Treehouse in Whitwell, Tennessee, just…

The Henry This concept from Sam Fox (The Twelve Thirty Club, Doughbird) bills itself as “the greatest neighborhood restaurant.” Judging by their cozy-clubby ambiance and welcoming spirit, they are on the right track. In dark wood and wine-colored hues, the new build features intimate seating at the marble bar or in leather-upholstered booths on the entry level, with a staircase leading to a large upper dining room and bar, the far end sporting a patio with retractable ceiling and windows, weather-permitting. The cuisine is New American, an eclectic meld that includes classics like a cheeseburger and rotisserie chicken and global-inspired faves such as rigatoni á la vodka, shrimp tacos, and Korean flank steak. The doors open daily at 8 a.m. for the coffee bar and breakfast. Late morning morphs into…

Feb. 8 RUBY GALA Join the Nashville community at the annual Ruby Gala, a black-tie optional event supporting those living with HIV and working to end the epidemic. This year’s event at Marathon Music Works will feature a performance by Burning Las Vegas, a live auction, dinner, and drinks. Funds raised will benefit HIV patient care and the training of future specialists. Tickets can be purchased online. (Marathon Music Works, 6 p.m.; give.vanderbilthealth.org/event/ruby-gala) 22-23 NASHVILLE BALLET’S THE SLEEPING BEAUTY Experience the magic of The Sleeping Beauty with Nashville Ballet, featuring choreography by Paul Vasterling and music by the Nashville Symphony. This enchanting production brings to life Tchaikovsky’s iconic score and the timeless tale of Princess Aurora’s journey, from cursed slumber to awakening kiss. A must-see performance for all ages, blending love,…

Project Redesign is back with another fantastical Girls Night Out, this year having a Mamma Mia! theme. Featuring an ABBA cover band, a silent auction, dinner, and drinks, Girls Night Out is sure to awaken inner Dancing Queens. It doesn’t get much better than blending glamour, music, and philanthropy for an unforgettable evening with a meaningful impact. The event will take place at Hillwood Country Club on March 6 at 5:30 p.m., and all proceeds will help Project Redesign continue to help those in need turn their houses into homes. Project Redesign is a nonprofit dedicated to providing essential furniture to people and families who would otherwise be without for a small fee. The team redesigned more than 86 homes for those in need in 2024, as part of the…

Ever wondered what it would feel like to be on a game show? Turn that dream into a reality at Nashville’s newest interactive entertainment venue, Play Playground. Opening in February, this dynamic venue offers over 20 immersive games to release your inner child and enjoy some good old-fashioned fun. Expanding on its successful Las Vegas flagship location, the 15,000-square-foot venue will open its doors on 2nd Ave., bringing a new entertainment option to downtown Nashville that’s ideal for date nights, group get-togethers, birthday parties, corporate outings, bachelorette and bachelor parties, and more. Play Playground Nashville will be open during the day for guests 16+ years old before shifting to a nightlife destination for the 21+ crowd later in the evening. Step into an imaginative world of large-scale, neon-lit physical games,…

It’s definitely a cliché to describe someone as “84-years-young,” but in the case of Ringo Starr, it's definitely warranted. If you’re lucky enough to spend any time with the rock-and-roll legend, you can tell he’s still having fun. And he’s still looking out for new things to try. After changing the world forever as the drummer of The Beatles, then embarking on a decades-long solo career defined by a joyful surrender to whichever direction his inspiration led, Starr has now done something even he didn’t see coming. His country album Look Up arrived early last month ( January 10), marking his first full album in six years, and first with Nashville connections in 55. Never one to plan things out, a twist of fate led to this brand-new chapter for…

The Nashville Symphony celebrated a major milestone on Dec. 14, when they hosted more than 500 guests for the 40th annual Symphony Ball. Co-chaired by Jason Bradshaw and Bob Deal, the white-tie gala was held at Schermerhorn Symphony Center, transformed into a winter wonderland by event planner Bruce Pittman. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the main lobby, lavishly adorned with a Symphony Ball ice sculpture and lush florals from Forget Me Not Designs, before moving into the Laura Turner Concert Hall for a three-course dinner from Kristen Winston. As a nod to the earlier years of the Symphony Ball, the Craig Duncan Orchestra performed during dinner while guests danced throughout the room. After a rousing performance from the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Symphony CEO and President Alan Valentine…