9 questions with serial tipper Lexy Burke

9 questions with serial tipper Lexy Burke in Nashville, TN

Pictured: Nashville-based entrepreneur Lexy Burke | Photo provided

This piece is part of our NASHtoday Q+A series. Do you know someone we should interview? Nominate them here.

What do $1,000+ tips, a choreographed cowboy variety show, and a themed Airbnb have in common? All three are ventures Lexy Burke took on in the midst of 2020’s uncertainty. You might best know her as TikTok’s “serial tipper.” We asked Lexy nine questions about some of her favorite tips from the last two years and what makes Nashville the perfect place for her endeavors.

Q: Where did the idea for your serial tipping TikTok series come from?

It started during the shutdown, almost. My birthday is in April, and as soon as things opened back up, I wanted to celebrate my birthday again. I was a server back in the day in downtown Nashville. One time, I got a really big tip — a guy tipped me $1,000. I just had always wanted to pay it forward or tip someone big.

I think May 10 was when we were going to phase two, which was, I believe, minimal restaurant seating. It was just heavy on my heart. I wanted to do what somebody did for me. I wanted to, for my birthday, ask everyone to Venmo me 50 cents to $1 to surprise the server with a massive tip. We raised like $3,000, and everyone said we should go to more restaurants. So, we did.

Q: You actually started three businesses around the same time. Where did your inspiration come from?

We had the plan to start my Airbnb before we even knew the pandemic was on the horizon. We went through a rough couple of months because the first weekend we were open, the tornado went through North Nashville, so we had no power for 14 days. We had to cancel our first two bookings. The third weekend we went into the shutdown. We just had to hang on and keep it open because we had no other option.

Starting the Ranch Hands Cowboylesque show was kind of inspired by hosting an all-bachelorette Airbnb. I just couldn’t believe since we’re Music City that we don’t have residency variety shows. We actually just opened up a second show in Austin, TX.

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Today

The Nashville Fair | Fri., Sept. 9-Sun., Sept. 18 | Times vary | The Fairgrounds Nashville | $7+ | Enjoy 10 days of rides, food, and entertainment.
Nashville Brew Fest | Fri., Sept. 9 | 7-11 p.m. | First Horizon Park | $50+ | The evening will feature over 50 breweries, 150 beers, food trucks, music, and lawn games. 🍻

Saturday

Green Hills Park Festival | Sat., Sept. 10 | 5-9 p.m. | Green Hills Park, 1200 Lone Oak Rd. | Free | Shop local vendors, grab a bite from local food trucks, listen to live music, watch college football from the tailgate trailer, and stick around for a screening of “Encanto.”
Grand Ole Opry | Sat., Sept. 10 | 7 p.m. | Opry House | $85+ | See performances by Blake Shelton, Callista Clark, and Connie Smith.
Blended Festival | Sat., Sept. 10-Sun., Sept. 11 | Times vary | Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park | $79+ | Expect performances by The Chainsmokers, Breland, and Lil Jon + a wine tent and culinary village.

Sunday

12th Annual Nashville 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb | Sun., Sept. 11 | 8:35 a.m. | William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower | Free | Members of the public are welcome to attend a commemorative ceremony on the plaza prior to the climb.
Musician Spotlight | Sun., Sept. 11 | 1-1:45 p.m. | Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum | Cost of admission | Hear from banjo player Pam Gadd. 🎤

Monday

Julia Jacklin | Mon., Sept. 12 | 8 p.m. | The Basement East | $17 | The artist hits the stage with Kara Jackson.

Tuesday

First Horizon Petey’s Preds Party | Tues., Sept. 13 | 6 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena | $100+ | Listen to a stand-up comedian and bid on rare hockey items at this benefit dinner. 🏒

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

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Weather

85º | Mostly cloudy | 46% chance of rain

Announced

Wynonna Judd has announced the list of star-studded performers who will join her “The Judds: The Final Tour.” Nashville ticket holders will see a special performance by Trisha Yearwood on the Fri., Oct. 28 Bridgestone Arena concert.

Concert

Luke Combs is really “Doin’ This.” The reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year is bringing his world tour to Nissan Stadium Sat., April 15. Special guests include Riley Green, Lainey Wilson, Flatland Cavalry, and Brent Cobb. Tickets go on sale Fri., Sept. 16. 🎙️

Sports

Tickets for Nashville SC’s 2023 season are on sale now. Season ticket packages start at $374. The 2023 match schedule has not yet been released.

Family

The Nashville Zoo is celebrating AAA Day Sat., Sept. 10. AAA members will receive half-off admission by showing their membership card. Other special activities include giveaways while supplies last and a scavenger hunt. 🎟️

Watch

The Franklin Theatre will host the regional premier of “Mysterious Circumstance: The Death of Meriwether Lewis” on Sun., Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. The screening will also feature a Q+A with the film’s lead actress and director.

Listen

Grab your headphones this Music City Friday. Explore our playlist for new tunes from Nashville-based artists Meredith Andrews (“Carry the World”), Brit Taylor (“Cabin in the Woods”), Kane Brown (“Different Man”), and Chris Tomlin (“Always”). Listen here. 🎧

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Nashville ranks No. 4 most polite city

Nashville ranks No. 4 most polite city in the US

A mural on a white wall that says "Love Y'all" in red cursive script.

Love y’all, mean it. | Photo by NASHtoday

Southern hospitality is a real thing, and Nashville is getting recognized for it. The 615 took home the No. 4 spot on Preply’s report of the most polite cities in the US.

The study asked residents’ opinions on how often people in their city exhibit rude behavior (think: being on your phone in public or not acknowledging strangers) to build their “rudeness ranking.”

According to the list, some of the the rudest cities in the US were Philadelphia and New York City. However, our 6AM City sister cities really know how to turn on the charm, snagging the first five of 15 cities labeled most polite.

THE WRAP

Today’s edition was written by Skylar.

Editor’s pick: Say it isn’t so. I really can’t believe fall wedding season is already here. In fact, I’m back in my old stomping grounds, aka Kansas City, attending one today. (👋 Hey, KCtoday)

This feels like a great time to remind y’all that we put together a Nashville wedding venues list based on the vibe of your special day. Check that out here.

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Editorial: Dylan Aycock, Skylar Webb, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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