When you hear the name “Nashville,” what comes to mind?
When you hear the name “Nashville,” what comes to mind? The twang of guitars on country radio, or the Southern charm of cowboy hats in movies? Dear sisters, let us peel back this single veil. The heartbeat of this place known as “Music City” is far more diverse and profound than we imagine. It’s more than just a geographical location; it’s a narrative waiting to be reinterpreted—a story deeply connected to the history, creativity, and self-expression of Black women. This pilgrimage, therefore, is no longer simply an exploration of another’s culture; it’s a journey home to roots, witness, and celebrate oneself. It’s like finding the perfect, glueless lace wigs, allowing you to feel your most comfortable and at ease, freely embracing and expressing all that is beautiful about you.
First Stop: Tracing Our Origins and Reconstructing—Hearing Our Beat in Country Music’s DNA
Before we stroll the streets of Nashville, let’s establish a crucial understanding: Country music flows through the blood of our ancestors. This isn’t a metaphor; it’s a historical fact. The banjo, the soulful instrument essential to country music, has its roots directly in plucked string instruments from West Africa. Every note resonates with the rhythm and nostalgia of a transatlantic homeland. Like the natural curl of our hair, it’s a memory and rhythm etched into our DNA, a presence that no mainstream narrative can erase.
Please bring this insight with you to the magnificent Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. You’ll discover that even the “Father of Country Music,” like Jimmie Rodgers, drew inspiration from the work songs and blues of railroad workers (many of whom were African American). In the early days, countless unsung Black musicians, their skills and creative works, formed the foundation of country music. This long-marginalized history awaits our recognition. Here, every step you take isn’t a visit to the temple of the “other,” but a chance to reconstruct a more complete history of American music, one that belongs to us all.
Stop 2: Witness and Shine—When Black Women Take Center Stage in Country Music
If history is our foundation, then the present is the glorious music we compose. Nashville today is undergoing a quiet yet profound revolution. A group of talented Black women musicians are using their voices, creative works, and unwavering presence to break down country music’s color barrier and redefine its future.
They stand on stage, confident and dazzling, like the owners of carefully curly burmese buns. Their lush, springy curls are a powerful statement in themselves: our beauty, our stories, our complex and profound emotions have a place here.
Please remember these names, our pioneers and sisters:
Mickey Guyton: When she sang “Black Like Me” on the Grammy stage, it wasn’t just a song; it was a statement, an embrace. She sang about the alienation and resilience of Black women in certain spaces, moving countless people to tears and revealing ourselves.
Brittney Spencer: Her music is powerful and healing, wrapping universal themes of community, love, and self-reconciliation within a country narrative. Her voice is as warm and hopeful as the sun.
Rissi Palmer: A pioneer, she not only blazed a trail with her music but also continued to empower other country artists of color through her radio show, building a network of community for us all.
Please visit a legendary listening room like The Bluebird Cafe. In such an intimate space, as a Black woman strums the strings and sings her story, you’ll feel a powerful, connected resonance. You’re not just enjoying the music; you’re witnessing history being written live.
Stop 3: Immerse and Resonate—In the Heart of R&B and the Soul
Nashville, of course, has more than one soul. Our pilgrimage must include those places where our souls can relax and our feet can’t help but follow the rhythm. This is Music City, and it’s our Music City.
Historic Jefferson Street is an essential stop on this itinerary. Once the beating heart of Nashville’s African-American community, it was where musicians like Jimi Hendrix, the “Father of Jazz and Soul,” honed their skills during the era of segregation. While its former prosperity has faded, its spiritual legacy remains. Here, you can discover the purest rhythms of funk, soul, and modern R&B in its rich clubs and bars, and experience an authentic and vibrant community atmosphere that stands in stark contrast to the tourist-heavy Broadway.
Stop 4: Pilgrimage Practice—Your Nashville Experience Guide
To ensure your trip is flawless, here are some tailor-made suggestions:
Your Rhythm: Artfully weave daytime explorations of country music history with evening experiences of the R&B scene. Spend the morning contemplating the Hall of Fame, the afternoon exploring the trendy National Museum of African American Music, and the evening immersing yourself in the blues clubs of Jefferson Street or downtown.
Hair Liberation Manifesto: Nashville’s schedule can be packed, from humid mornings to raucous nights. A high-quality glueless lace wig is your secret weapon. Effortlessly slipping on and off, it allows you to seamlessly transition between the tranquility of museums, street food exploration, and the excitement of the music scene. Whether it’s a sleek bob or flowing, straight hair, it allows you to maintain your perfect look while fully immersing yourself in a deep experience of music and culture, truly achieving the goal of “traveling when you want, looking your best.”
Food is also our heritage: Don’t forget to try Nashville’s famous “Nashville Hot Chicken.” Legend has it that this globally beloved dish was originally invented by an African-American man as revenge for his unfaithful lover. Today, it’s a city icon. Savoring the authentic version at a Black-family-owned restaurant is more than just a treat for your taste buds; it’s a tribute to the ingenuity and creativity of our community.
Support our community: During your trip, consciously seek out and visit Black-owned music venues, boutiques, and hair salons. This isn’t just about consumption; it’s about gathering strength and supporting one another.
Conclusion: Your Music, Nashville’s New Melody
So, dear sisters, as you reflect on Nashville, please consider it an invitation. It’s a journey to rediscover lost pieces of our history, a celebration of the splendor of our contemporary sisters, and a liberation to fully embrace your own identity and beauty.
Hear the whispers of our ancestors on the banjo, witness how Mickey Guyton and others transform our stories into the most moving country songs of our time, and rediscover the primal rhythms of our bodies in the rhythm of Jefferson Street. Whether donning a wig that exudes your aura or letting your voluminous, curly hair dance freely in the wind like Burmese curly bundles, embrace your most authentic and confident beauty without reservation.
In Nashville, you will discover that every beat of the musical heart bears the indelible rhythm of our contributions. And you, as a Black woman who has come to explore, are a unique and shining note in this magnificent symphony.
Ultimately, this pilgrimage is about telling ourselves: We have never been absent. Our roots are deep here; our voices resonate here; and our future will be written here.
