6AM City In-house

Going ghost 👻

Nashville’s ghost signs, explained
A colorful ad for Gruhn Guitars is painted on the exterior side wall of Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row.
The former Gruhn Guitars building is now home to Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row. | Photo by NASHtoday
What is a ghost sign? Think: old painted advertisements on the sides of buildings, usually spelling out the name of a company + a description of its goods or services. Given Nashville’s immense history, Music City ghost signs are everywhere. Though many of these stories are lost to history, here’s what we learned about the signs adorning three downtown structures.

Lawrence Record Shop

📍 409 Broadway

This two-story Lower Broadway building housed Lawrence Record Shop until 2016. The store, specializing in country and bluegrass vintage vinyl records, opened in 1954 and was operated by the Lawrence family of Hendersonville. The building was acquired by Johnny Cash Museum founder Bill Miller and transformed into Nudie’s Honky Tonk that stands today.

Marathon Motor Works

📍 1200 Clinton St.

The two-story building was constructed in 1881 for Nashville cotton mills before Marathon Motor Works made the move from Jackson, Tennessee, and purchased the property in 1910. The surrounding buildings were built between 1881 and 1912. Before the car manufacturer was known as Marathon, it was branded as Southern Engine and Boiler Works, a maker of industrial engines and boilers. The company was the first factory to totally manufacture automobiles in the southern US. Ultimately, mismanagement woes led the company to stop building cars in 1914, though it sold parts until 1918. Today, the buildings are known as Marathon Village, filled with offices, retail, event space, and a museum.

A colorful ad for Gruhn Guitars is painted on the exterior side wall of Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row.

The former Gruhn Guitars building is now home to Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row.

Photo by NASHtoday

Gruhn Guitars

📍 400 Broadway

The business, which operates now at 2120 8th Ave. S., was founded by George Gruhn in January 1970 after Hank Williams Jr. himself convinced Gruhn to move to Nashville the year before and open a music store. The store, specializing in vintage instruments and restoration, originally opened as GTR Incorporated at 111 4th Ave. N. The name stood for business partners George Gruhn, Tut Taylor, and Randy Wood — and acted as an abbreviation for the word guitar. The original location no longer stands and the business rebranded to Gruhn Guitars after moving to its second location (410 Broadway). In 1993, the business landed at its final Broadway location, where you see its ghost sign today — 400 Broadway.
6AM City In-house

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Today, October 31
  • Halloween Trivia | Mon., Oct. 31 | 7-10 p.m. | Assembly Food Hall, 5055 Broadway | Free | Bring your friends to Homegrown Bar for trivia, themed-cocktails, and a costume contest. 🧠
  • Nashville Design Week | Mon., Oct. 31-Fri., Nov. 4 | Times vary | Various locations | Free+ | The 5th annual event is dedicated to all types of design industries — from architecture and interiors to graphic, landscape, and fashion.
Tuesday, November 1
  • Grand Ole Opry | Tues., Nov. 1 | 7 p.m. | Grand Ole Opry House, 2804 Opryland Dr. | See performances by John Crist, Chris Janson, and Nate Smith, among others.
Wednesday, November 2
  • White Truffle Dinner | Wed., Nov. 2 | 6:30 p.m. | Yolan, 403 4th Ave S. | $395 | The white truffle takes center stage in an exclusive tasting of Piemontese cuisine and wines. 🍴
  • Dia de los Muertos Dinner | Wed., Nov. 2 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Hathorne, 4708 Charlotte Pk. | $120 | A five-course dinner will be paired with tequila and Sotol cocktails.
Thursday, November 3
  • Kylie Morgan “Songs to Say I Do” Release Party | Thurs., Nov. 3 | 6-8 p.m. | David’s Bridal Cool Springs, 1728 Galleria Blvd., Ste. 101, Franklin | Free | Country artist Kylie Morgan will perform songs from her new 5-track EP, “Songs to Say I Do” — the event is 21+. 🎶
  • Priscilla Block | Thurs., Nov. 3 | 7 p.m. | Nashville Palace, 2611 McGavock Pk. | $20 | The artist is known for her hit songs “Just About Over You” and “My Bar.”
Friday, November 4
  • Live in Studio A | Fri., Nov. 4 | Martin Center for Nashville Ballet, 3630 Redmon St. | $70 | Experience “The Four Temperaments,” the highly-anticipated return of Paul Vasterling’s Seasons, set to the music of Antonio Vivaldi. 🩰
  • Yung Gravy Official After Party | Fri., Nov. 4 | 10 p.m.-2 a.m. | Almost Friday Sporting Club, 415 4th Ave. S. | $25+ | The rapper will make a special appearance at the sports bar after his concert at Marathon Music Works — guests can expect music by Nesh.

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.
100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather
  • 70º | Cloudy | 24% chance of rain
Announced
  • The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum will induct new members Don McLean, Ray Stevens, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Jim Guercio, and George Massenburg on Tues., Nov. 22. The ceremony will be hosted by Phil Vassar + tickets are on sale now. 🏅
  • The musical lineup for the Scott Hamilton & Friends event at Bridgestone Arena on Sun., Nov. 20 has been announced. Two-time Grammy Award-winner Colbie Caillat, Journey’s Jason Derlatka, Grammy Award-nominee Natalie Grant, The Fray’s Joe King, and Chicago’s Jason Scheff will perform.
Biz
  • Metro permits suggest a craft burger restaurant called Burger + Grain will fill a space in The Nations’ Stocking 51 complex next to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams — 4900 Centennial Blvd. An opening date has not yet been announced. 🍔 (Nashville Post)
Eat
  • Goo Goo Cluster + The Loveless Cafe have partnered to bring back the Loveless Cafe Biscuits and Jam Premium Goo Goo. The dessert will be available for a limited time on Tues., Nov. 1-Sat., Dec. 31 — or while supplies last. (WZTV)
Community
  • The Nashville Zoo is offering free admission for active military personnel, military veterans, and their immediate families on Military Appreciation Day (Sun., Nov. 13). 🎟️
Sports
  • The Tennessee Titans defeated the Houston Texans 17-10 on Sunday — making the win their fifth consecutive. The game marked Malik Willis’ first career start + Derrick Henry rushed for 219 yards, a season high. (The Tennessean)
  • Vanderbilt has released images for its new basketball operations facility — a part of the north end zone project with an expected completion by the 2024 football season. The four-floor basketball facility includes two practice courts, a weight room, and an athletic training room, among other amenities. (Nashville Post)
Legacy
  • Rock ‘n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis died at his home in DeSoto County on Friday at 87 years old. The musician was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Mon., Oct. 17, but was unable to receive the honor in-person due to his health. (The Tennessean)
Travel
  • How does Scott’s Cheap Flights work? Sign up for free, follow up to five airports, and Scott’s will notify you when flights are 40-90% off. Bonus: You can browse deals immediately after signing up (like a $300+ round trip to Bermuda). 🌴*
Stat
  • 87% of employees think actions from their employer would help their mental health. Not sure where to start when it comes to helping your employees? Trainual shares three ways business leaders can model how to prioritize mental health in the workplace (hint: they’re really simple + easy to implement).*

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Creepin’ it real since the 90s
City Editor Dylan as a kid dressed up like a fairy + Editor Skylar as a kid dressed as a reindeer
City Editor Dylan on the left and City Editor Skylar on the right | Photos by NASHtoday
So, a magical fairy and a reindeer walk into a Halloween party... just kidding. In honor of the holiday, we thought we’d throw it back to when we were bagging candy and waking up with stomach aches ourselves.

Since we stay home and hand out the candy nowadays, we’d love for you to send in photos of your costumes this year so we can see them. We hope everyone has a safe and successful Halloween — spent goblin’ lots of candy, of course. 🍫
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Skylar.

Editor’s pick: As mentioned above, I’ll be staying in tonight. However, I am looking forward to receiving sweet photos from home of my two nephews all dressed up in their costumes. My brother and his wife always come up with the most creative family costumes — my favorite being the year they went as characters from “The Magic School Bus.”

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Mark your calendars for 25+ big concerts coming to Nashville this winter.
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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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