Nashville

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Nashville with Nate Rau and Adam Tamburin.

Axios Nashville

Standard

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Nashville. Written by Nate Rau and Adam Tamburin.

Axios Nashville Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Nashville Alerts

Alert

Axios Nashville Partners

Nashville Members

Membership

Lawyers: Pike getting "life-saving care" after failed execution

State and federal elected officials are pressing for public accountability.

News

Tennessee death row inmate Christa Pike&#x27;s attorneys said she was &quot;in critical condition&quot; and &quot;receiving life-saving care&quot; Thursday, a day after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="she survived an execution attempt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/10/01/chaos-questions-christa-pike-execution-attempt" data-vars-content-id="5846c647-a88b-4072-aeb2-def79cf89669" data-vars-headline="Lawyers: Pike getting &quot;life-saving care&quot; after failed execution" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/10/01/chaos-questions-christa-pike-execution-attempt" target="_self">she survived an execution attempt</a> during which the state administered two doses of the lethal injection drug.<ul><li>A death penalty expert <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="told the Associated Press" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/christa-pike-failed-botched-execution-5638e4f7d25d5490b402ae53cfa2626d" data-vars-content-id="5846c647-a88b-4072-aeb2-def79cf89669" data-vars-headline="Lawyers: Pike getting &quot;life-saving care&quot; after failed execution" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/christa-pike-failed-botched-execution-5638e4f7d25d5490b402ae53cfa2626d" target="_blank">told the Associated Press</a> that Pike&#x27;s survival after receiving the execution drug was unprecedented.</li></ul>The latest: State and federal elected officials are pressing for public accountability after the second failed execution this year. Gov. Bill Lee halted further executions for the rest of the year and ordered a independent review of the Pike execution attempt.<ul><li>On Thursday morning, he told reporters there were &quot;very few answers&quot; about what had gone wrong.</li></ul>

Predators offer gravy boats, bobbleheads and romance for theme nights this season

Nashville Predators' promotions for 2026 season include bobbleheads of Billy Strings and Ryan O'Reilly.

Sports

If your Thanksgiving arrangement fell short in terms of expressing your hockey fandom, well, the Nashville Predators have you covered.<ul><li>The Preds partnered with Cracker Barrel on a catfish gravy boat giveaway for the team&#x27;s Nov. 7 home game against the St. Louis Blues.</li></ul>The big picture: Predators fans really want a playoff hockey team this season. <ul><li>That remains to be seen, but attending games is sure to be fun either way, as the team&#x27;s marketing department once again packed their home schedule full of creative promotions and theme nights.</li></ul>Here are some of our favorites:

Tennessee contributes to national uptick in executions

Forty-seven people were executed last year, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Three of them were in Tennessee.

Tennessee is contributing to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national surge in executions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/02/death-penalty-executions-surging-florida" data-vars-content-id="9fe7d76c-9b59-462f-9ac2-1d1737260f86" data-vars-headline="Tennessee contributes to national uptick in executions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/02/death-penalty-executions-surging-florida" target="_self">national surge in executions</a>, and the Republican candidate for governor wants the state to go further in the coming years.The big picture: Forty-seven people were executed in the United States last year, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.<ul><li>Three of them were in Tennessee.</li></ul>

Christa Pike hospitalized after failed execution attempt

Christa Pike hospitalized after failed TN execution attempt

"We have a lot of questions about what we saw and what we did not see."

Death row inmate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Christa Pike" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/09/30/christa-pike-execution-stayed-appeals-court" data-vars-content-id="061853ae-993b-49c7-96fb-c56817325e58" data-vars-headline="Christa Pike hospitalized after failed execution attempt" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/09/30/christa-pike-execution-stayed-appeals-court" target="_self">Christa Pike</a> was still alive after getting two rounds of lethal injection drugs at a Nashville prison Wednesday night, her attorneys said in court filings.<ul><li>Media witnesses who watched the lethal injection process said Pike was still breathing when the warden told them to leave at 8:53pm.</li><li>An ambulance left the prison grounds while they were describing their experience at a press conference outside. Sirens wailed while they talked.</li></ul>

Dolly Parton's autobiographical Broadway musical unveils its stars

Parton handpicked the leads for the musical.

The three actors who will play Dolly Parton in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="her autobiographical musical coming to Broadway in December" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/07/07/dolly-parton-broadway-musical-tickets" data-vars-content-id="0c05d127-ba6d-400b-85d1-5b8d6246075d" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton&#x27;s autobiographical Broadway musical unveils its stars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/07/07/dolly-parton-broadway-musical-tickets" target="_self">her autobiographical musical coming to Broadway in December</a> were announced Friday.Why it matters: Parton hand-picked the leads for the musical before she died in August. The show, which features Parton&#x27;s music and a script she co-wrote, is certain to become a nightly tribute to the icon&#x27;s astonishing life story.

Miranda Lambert says country music has embraced female artists and become more "balanced"

Lambert said the shifting industry now has "room for every damn body."

Music

For years, Miranda Lambert says, the women on Music Row <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="faced a tougher path" data-vars-click-url="https://tasteofcountry.com/carrie-underwood-women-in-country-music/" data-vars-content-id="21a05480-2f5a-4997-b721-87115be90ffb" data-vars-headline="Miranda Lambert says country music has embraced female artists and become more &quot;balanced&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tasteofcountry.com/carrie-underwood-women-in-country-music/" target="_blank">faced a tougher path</a> than the men.<ul><li>But recently, she says, country music has opened up to more female artists and become more &quot;balanced.&quot;</li></ul>

Tennessee creates advisory council to boost state's music ecosystem

Gov. Bill Lee launches a new advisory council to help the state's music ecosystem.

Business

Gov. Bill Lee&#x27;s administration announced Thursday the creation of the Tennessee Music Advisory Council.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a gritty time for professionals and music businesses.<ul><li>The rising cost of living is making it harder for young musicians and songwriters in the aspiring phase of their career to make ends meet.</li><li>Independent music businesses, especially concert venues, are under constant threat of closing.</li></ul>

Alan Jackson remembers 9/11 anthem "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)"

Jackson captured the sadness and vulnerability of the period after 9/11.

In the weeks after Sept. 11, 2001, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alan Jackson" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/07/30/alan-jacksons-concert-was-the-summers-biggest-draw-for-downtown-hotels" data-vars-content-id="efc037a4-1dce-4e17-abf6-e1edbe9a4df0" data-vars-headline="Alan Jackson remembers 9/11 anthem &quot;Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/07/30/alan-jacksons-concert-was-the-summers-biggest-draw-for-downtown-hotels" target="_self">Alan Jackson</a>, like many Americans, was restless. He woke before dawn one day in October with lyrics and a melody that captured the heart-rending aftermath of the terrorist attacks.<ul><li>The song, which he finished the same day, would become an enduring reminder of a period of grief and resilience that reshaped American life.</li></ul>The latest: Twenty-five years later, on the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Jackson is releasing a new version of &quot;Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).&quot;

Ella Langley's dominant year continues with 9 CMA Awards nominations

This could be Langley's coronation as country's newest queen.

Ella Langley&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="record-breaking run" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/09/01/ella-langley-breaks-billboard-record-with-choosin-texas" data-vars-content-id="7fd3adb9-4bec-43a8-a118-a178a5a712f0" data-vars-headline="Ella Langley&#x27;s dominant year continues with 9 CMA Awards nominations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/09/01/ella-langley-breaks-billboard-record-with-choosin-texas" target="_self">record-breaking run</a> at the top of the charts has also pushed her to the top of this year&#x27;s CMA Awards.The latest: Langley bagged nine nominations on Thursday, the most of any artist, including one in the marquee Entertainer of the Year category.

Ella Langley breaks Billboard record with "Choosin' Texas"

Dolly Parton's enduring appeal was on full display after her death.

Ella Langley&#x27;s tale of woe in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Choosin&#x27; Texas&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/02/11/ella-langley-takes-nashville-to-no-1-on-the-hot-100" data-vars-content-id="2be6ce59-635b-45b5-8789-906cebcd7779" data-vars-headline="Ella Langley breaks Billboard record with &quot;Choosin&#x27; Texas&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/02/11/ella-langley-takes-nashville-to-no-1-on-the-hot-100" target="_self">&quot;Choosin&#x27; Texas&quot;</a> took her to the top of the charts in February, and she&#x27;s not budging.Why it matters: The country heartbreak ballad hit 20 weeks at No. 1 this week. It keeps breaking records, and its latest accomplishment is a doozy.<ul><li>It is now the longest-running non-holiday No. 1 in the 68-year history of Billboard&#x27;s Hot 100.</li></ul>

Dolly Parton didn't want a "traditional" memorial; She'll get a "party of a lifetime" instead.

"Dollyfest" will take place next year in Nashville and London.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dolly Parton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-has-died-at-80-obit" data-vars-content-id="f7930477-c393-441b-9a7c-3b4e027a4bb7" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton didn&#x27;t want a &quot;traditional&quot; memorial; She&#x27;ll get a &quot;party of a lifetime&quot; instead." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-has-died-at-80-obit" target="_self">Dolly Parton</a> didn&#x27;t want a &quot;traditional memorial&quot; service, so instead her team is throwing the &quot;party of a lifetime&quot; in her honor: a two-weekend music festival that will stretch across continents.Why it matters: The massive &quot;Dollyfest&quot; celebration will take place next year during back-to-back weekends in Nashville and London. Parton&#x27;s longtime manager said a music festival with international reach was &quot;authentic&quot; to her vision.

Five essential Dolly Parton albums

Dolly Parton's streaming numbers exploded following her death.

As the world continues to mourn the ever-iconic Dolly Parton, who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="died in Nashville" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-has-died-at-80-obit" data-vars-content-id="63815eed-7dd8-41af-b8c1-bc94822581e5" data-vars-headline="Five essential Dolly Parton albums" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-has-died-at-80-obit" target="_self">died in Nashville</a> this week, fans are turning to her music for comfort.By the numbers: Her streaming numbers exploded following her death, with Spotify <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reporting" data-vars-click-url="https://variety.com/2026/music/news/dolly-parton-streams-surge-on-spotify-jolene-9-to-5-1236844445/" data-vars-content-id="63815eed-7dd8-41af-b8c1-bc94822581e5" data-vars-headline="Five essential Dolly Parton albums" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://variety.com/2026/music/news/dolly-parton-streams-surge-on-spotify-jolene-9-to-5-1236844445/" target="_blank">reporting</a> listener activity jumped by 1,260% globally and 2,320% in the United States compared to the week before.<ul><li>Her top songs in the days following her death were &quot;Jolene,&quot; with 1.29 million streams and &quot;9 to 5&quot; received 1.13 million streams.</li></ul>

Taylor Swift says she cherishes her Nashville songwriting roots

At 10 years old, Taylor Swift started plotting her path to superstardom, and the first item on the to-do list was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Bluebird Cafe" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/05/03/bluebird-cafe-hosting-eras-themed-taylor-swift-party" data-vars-content-id="2dd65297-8284-41df-9b9c-3713f04dfd02" data-vars-headline="Taylor Swift says she cherishes her Nashville songwriting roots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/05/03/bluebird-cafe-hosting-eras-themed-taylor-swift-party" target="_self">The Bluebird Cafe</a>.The latest: During a lengthy conversation about her songwriting career this week with Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason, Jr., Swift remembered learning that Faith Hill got discovered by a record company executive while she was singing backup at The Bluebird.

Bonnaroo will take "a year off," 2027 festival is canceled

The Farm "needs time to rest and recover" following years of heavy rain.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/27/bonnaroo-turns-to-fans-to-help-decide-festivals-future" data-vars-content-id="716edae7-6f4c-4e55-a938-3dbc1cd78b47" data-vars-headline="Bonnaroo will take &quot;a year off,&quot; 2027 festival is canceled" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/06/27/bonnaroo-turns-to-fans-to-help-decide-festivals-future" target="_self">Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival</a> will take a &quot;year off&quot; and will not take place in 2027, organizers announced Friday.Why it matters: The cancellation raises renewed questions about Bonnaroo&#x27;s future after a rocky few years.