Until the late 1770's Middle Tennessee was largely unexplored, until a contingent of men and livestock made the difficult trek from Hillsborough, N.C. They traveled during the coldest winter of the century in total isolation in the undeveloped territory. They arrived on Christmas day 1779, and were met six months later by women and children. A fledgling community had been created. Expansion happened almost immediately for this small farming community. At the same time the Colonies had fought for and won their independence from England, and the new settlement quickly began to establish a government and claim individual property rights.
             Nashville was founded by James Robertson and named after Francis Nash, who was the clerk of the county at Hillsborough, N.C. Later, as the center of the cotton trade Nashville flourished. It also served as a key river port and later as a center for railroads. Today Nashville is known by many names such as Music City, U.S.A., Country Music Capital of the World, Home of the "Nashville Sound," Home of the Grand Old Opry, and the Athens of the South. Nationally Nashville ranks amongst the top with New York and Los Angeles as the center of the recording industry. This brings in many vital tourists who boost the city's economy.
             Nashville is home to dozens of recording studios, music publishers, record companies, and agents, as well as hundreds of talented musicians seeking to capture their attention. Opry Land U.S.A. is the mainstay of Nashville's entertainment scene. It is a huge complex that regularly features big name music acts, and has been the home of the Grand Ole Opry since 1974.
             The Grand Ole Opry is considered by some to be the most influential and inspirational program in the history of American music. It began in 1925, and has provided the nation with 75 years of broadcasting. The program has nationwide reach and has sparked the sale of millions of re...