Plus, Hathorne is closing after this weekend.
 
09.04.2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE
Andrew Jackson's Hermitage

Today’s Forecast

84º | 0% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 6:21 a.m. | Sunset 7:09 p.m.
 

Sing us a song, you’re the piano man

The history of Nashville’s Starr Piano Building
Screen Shot 2021-09-27 at 3.01.08 PM
The Starr Piano Building, ca. 1911 | Photo via Tennessee State Library and Archives
Just in time for National Piano Month, we’re reprising the story of one of the most influential players in the Southern piano scene and his connection to downtown’s Starr Piano Building — a historic site now entering a new chapter.

Nashville’s piano boom

Jesse French moved to Nashville from England with his family at age 10. He quickly developed a love for music and began playing piano for a small band, which led him to start the Jesse French Piano & Organ Company in the 1870s.

At the time, Nashville was a small town bustling with residents with an eye for glamor and music. Seen as a product for the middle class, pianos were extremely popular and highly desired.

Exterior of a historic four-story building in downtown Nashville.

A view of the Starr Piano Building in 2023. | Photo by Bill Badzo via Flickr

The company expanded to St. Louis in 1887 and became one of the South’s largest piano retailers. In Nashville, it had stints on Church and Union streets before moving to its final location at what’s now 240 Rep. John Lewis Way N. The Queen Anne-style property now known as the Starr Piano Building housed around 200 instruments from notable makers.

French moved to St. Louis in 1897, and the Nashville building deed was transferred to his brother-in-law, Henry Gennett. From then until 1929, it was known as the Starr Piano Company. The building later housed shoe, clothing, and beauty stores, according to city records.

Striking a new chord

After sitting vacant in recent years, Nashville developer Anderson Jarman paid $5 million for the Starr Piano Building in 2021. The Arcade-area property is now being converted into four vacation rental units, each featuring four bedrooms and four baths.

With renovations set to wrap up this fall, the historic four-story building hit the market last month for $17.6 million. According to the listing, each bedroom will feature a different design theme + the lobby will be decorated with local art.
Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment
 
Events
Wednesday, Sept. 4
  • Periscope Pitch + Artist Entrepreneur Showcase | Wednesday, Sept. 4 | 6-9 p.m. | OZ Arts Nashville | Free | Periscope artists will showcase their work and business plans before attendees vote to help decide which artists win cash prizes.
  • The Red Clay Strays | Wednesday, Sept. 4-Friday, Sept. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Ryman Auditorium | $128+ | The band from Mobile, AL makes a three-show stop at the Ryman.
Thursday, Sept. 5
Friday, Sept. 6
  • The Nashville Fair | Friday, Sept. 6-Sunday, Sept. 15 | Times vary | The Fairgrounds Nashville | $7+ | Head to opening weekend for carnival rides, livestock shows, concerts, competitive events, and more.
Saturday, Sept. 7
  • 2024 Middle Tennessee Highland Games | Saturday, Sept. 7-Sunday, Sept. 8 | Times vary | Sanders Ferry Park | $28+ | Expect live Celtic bands, athletic events, a bagpipe competition, kid’s activities, and food and scotch tastings.
  • Nashville Cocktail Festival | Saturday, Sept. 7 | 6-10 p.m. | East Park | $77+ | The 10th annual event unites artisan spirit producers and local mixologists for unlimited samples.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Eat

🥂 How to get money off the tab at Nashville’s best restaurants
A person holing a platter of tacos.
Offline partners with 65+ locally owned restaurants in Music City. | Photo provided by Offline
If you love sampling local restaurants (guilty) and wouldn’t say no to money off your tab (guilty again), Offline is for you.

The premier restaurant club provides members with two credits each month to redeem at locally owned Nashville restaurants with at least a 4+ star rating. Current offers include:
  • $20 to spend at Hathorne
  • $15 to spend at Degthai
  • $15 to spend at 312 Pizza Company
Try your first month for free with code OFFLINE6AM.
Unlock your offers with code OFFLINE6AM
News Notes
Open
  • Does something look Different ‘Round Here? Riley Green’s Duck Blind is now open in the former Winners Bar & Grill space at 1913 Division St. Check out the themed menu featuring Green’s favorite dishes + take a tour of the space.
Closing
  • Hathorne owner John Stephenson announced the Sylvan Park restaurant will close after this weekend. The eatery opened in late 2018 and was named to Bon Appetit’s “50 Best New Restaurants” list the following year. Read the closing statement.
Concert
  • Drop a beat. Grammy Award-winning a cappella group Pentatonix will bring their 2024 holiday tour to Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, Dec. 5. Tickets go on sale Friday, Sept. 6.
Try This
  • Nashville Ballet will host a family-friendly Open House on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees can expect behind-the-scenes tours of the Martin Center for Nashville Ballet, as well as live podcast recordings, a season previews, and dance classes. Check out the full schedule.
Fun Fact
  • It’s Library Card Sign-Up Month. Beyond books, did you know a Nashville Public Library card grants you access to community passports, artwork, tools, and more? Apply for a free library card online or in person.
Finance
  • It’s almost fall — that chill you feel should be from the air, not your credit card bill. Experts recommend these four cards with 0% APR for up to 18 months (almost two years) on qualifying balance transfers.*
 
Try This

🧀 Have a gouda time

Have a gouda time at this Nashville Cheese Festival
An up-close view of a charcuterie platter with hard and soft cheeses, cured meats, nuts, and jams.
Get ready for some brie-lliant cheese offerings. | Photo via Greys Fine Cheeses
It’s a big weekend for cheese lovers in Nashville. Greys Fine Cheeses’ first-ever Cheese Festival is taking over Southern Grist’s Nations taproom on Sunday, Sept. 8 from 12 to 4 p.m.

Think of the festival as a “walkable charcuterie board” with cheeses from over 20 cheesemakers, cured meats, and jams. Beyond the bites, attendees can expect demonstrations and educational presentations. Here’s a slice of the schedule:
  • 1 p.m. | Tips on creating your own cheese board
  • 1:30 p.m. | “Intro to Cheese — From Brie to Blue”
  • 2 p.m. | Parm cracking event with history and a weight guessing contest
  • 3 p.m. | “Artisan Cheese Making in the South” educational panel
  • 3:30 p.m. | “History of Bavarian Cheese” educational panel
Each ticket ($75 plus tax) is an all-inclusive pass to the event. Additional cheese-centric dishes prepared by Southern Grist’s chef Andrew Coins will be available for purchase.
The Buy
Bring on all the cozy fall vibes. Here are five seasonal must-haves that scream luxury (without the hefty price tag):

🍁 A pair of fleece-lined memory foam slippers for less than $25.
🍁 This textured, oversized pullover that’s perfect for layering.
🍁 An ultra soft blanket available in 35+ different colors and patterns.
🍁 These sleek, water resistant men’s joggers made for all things outdoors (or just lounging).
🍁 A portable mug warmer so you can enjoy your favorite cozy beverages all day long.
More worth The Buy
 
The Wrap
 
Dylan

Today’s edition by:
Dylan
From the editor
In celebration of National Biscuit Month, The Loveless Cafe is bringing back its Willy Wonka-style Golden Biscuit Competition. Starting Friday, Sept. 6, those who purchase a biscuit mix from participating locations will receive a Golden Biscuit Chocolate Bar while supplies last. There’s only one golden ticket out there (free biscuits for a year and more), but the silver and pink tickets have perks, too.
Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
Advertise with us to stand out.     ›
Games | Crossword, Sudoku, and More     ›
 
 

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY