Music City Brand Champions

Brand Champions are so noted as local Nashville businesses that have successfully integrated the Music City brand into their day-to-day activities. The Music City brand represents all genres of music - from country to blues, rock to jazz, gospel to bluegrass and classical to songwriting. And the businesses below have used signage, events, advertising, exhibits, live music offerings and even language and nametags infused with what makes us Music City: the music. These honored businesses are recognized for their efforts and originality in building the Music City brand. Check back frequently to see new additions to this stellar lineup.
 

May 2013
Music City Center
The Music City Center – Nashville's newest convention center featuring 1.2 million square feet total of public space, a 350,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a 57,000-square-foot ballroom and parking for 1,800 cars – opened its doors on May 19. The Grand Opening celebration featured public tours, free live music throughout the building and family-friendly activities, all culminating with a free outdoor concert headlined by Nashville resident and Grammy-winning artist Sheryl Crow on May 20. The MCC, which houses the largest ballroom in the state and the new Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, will serve as a central meeting point for Nashville's visitors and residents. The center is located in the heart of SoBro, situated perfectly next to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and across the street from Bridgestone Arena, and just steps away from downtown's fantastic restaurants, shops and legendary honky-tonks. For this and much more, we name the Music City Center as May's Brand Champion.

April 2013
Barbershop Harmony Society
Congratulations to the Barbershop Harmony Society, which celebrated its 75th birthday on April 11. Known for intricate harmonies and showmanship, the Nashville-based organization seeks to promote and preserve the art of barbershop singing worldwide and welcomes any man who wishes to have a life in music. The Music City Chorus members have been entertaining locals and visitors for more than 65 years and it's no surprise they consistently rank as one of the top 10 barbershop group choruses in the world. Nashville looks forward to hosting the organization's 2016 International Convention. We applaud this April's Music City brand champion, the Barbershop Harmony Society.

March 2013
Bobbie's Dairy Dip
A tasty blast from the past, Bobbie's Dairy Dip has been serving up burgers, hot dogs and milkshakes for generations - all while promoting Nashville's Music City brand. Bobbie's iconic diner atmosphere consists of patrons enjoying treats at picnic tables while listening to old-fashioned music over the speakers. Don't forget to partake in one of the music-inspired menu items like the Ricky Nelson milkshake. Congratulations to this Nashville staple for staying true to the classic treats of the past and for incorporating the Music City brand into your menu and atmosphere!

February 2013
The Listening Room Cafe
Congratulations to The Listening Room Café, which recently reopened at its new location in downtown Nashville. Since its first opening in 2008, the café has embraced the true Music City brand by offering visitors a place to eat great food while witnessing unforgettable performances by local artists and songwriters. The Listening Room Café recently opened at its new, larger location in downtown Nashville. The new spot at 217 2nd Avenue in SoBro is open for lunch, dinner, and offers live music Monday-Saturday. We applaud February's brand champion, The Listening Room Café.

January 2013
Nashville Predators
Music City's professional ice hockey team, the Nashville Predators, has been entertaining families, visitors, and hockey fans for nearly 15 years. While in "Smashville," visitors can experience the raw, gut-wrenching excitement, and yes, even a little live music. The Preds offer in-game music to help the fans get pumped up between periods (and it's Nashville, so you never know who might show up). In addition, the organization has incorporated Nashville's musical heritage into its logos and uniforms. The team's newest logo was designed to represent the state flag of Tennessee and Nashville simultaneously, with a guitar pick shape incorporating the three stars of the state's three grand divisions. In addition, The "Predators Gold" sweaters include elements unique to Nashville – guitar strings in the numbering and lettering and piano keys on the inside of the collars. For embracing the Music City brand, we name the Nashville Predators as January's Brand Champion.

December 2012
Renaissance Nashville Hotel
New sounds are coming from the Renaissance Nashville Hotel, which recently released volume two of its compilation series RStars. Designed to enhance the guest experience and illustrate the uniqueness of Music City, the album features original music from Renaissance employees, a few of which can be heard live at The Bridge Wednesday and Thursday evenings. RStars is not for sale, but is offered to Renaissance guests. For incorporating the Music City brand into its business, we name Renaissance Nashville Hotel Music City Brand Champion for the month of December.  

November 2012
Nashville Ballet
As the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee, the Nashville Ballet has been entertaining Music City and its visitors since 1986. Throughout the years, the ballet has partnered with many other local artists across genres, including Ben Folds and The Civil Wars. This year the ballet has announced it will partner with two nationally acclaimed, Nashville-based musicians – cerebral singer/songwriter Matthew Perryman Jones and Americana music royalty Holly Williams – to create original works of art as part of its upcoming performance season and for its annual fundraising gala, Ballet Ball. The collaboration will create original performances that combine music and dance from Nashville Ballet company dancers. Williams' performance will be an exclusive, one-time-only opportunity at Ballet Ball, while Jones' performance will be a preview of his larger collaboration with Nashville Ballet to debut February 15, 2013, at TPAC as part of its winter contemporary series, Attitude. For embracing the music in Music City, we name the Nashville Ballet as this month's Brand Champion.

October 2012
Music City Flats
With the goal of providing better service to Nashville and its visitors, one of Music City's restaurants has taken the meaning of "local" to a new level. The restaurant formerly known as Urban Flats Flatbread & Wine Co. has reinvented itself as Music City Flats Stoneoven & Bar. The restaurant has reopened with a new menu, keeping updated versions of favorite items and adding new items guests will love by concentrating on fresh ingredients. Music City Flats will continue to offer excellent happy hour specials and an ample wine list and will continue to participate in and sponsor charitable events in the community. Congratulations to Music City Flats Stoneoven & Bar, Music City Brand Champion for the month of October!

September 2012
Tennessee Titans and LP Field
The Tennessee Titans have recently teamed up with Phil Vassar to revolutionize the game day experience at LP Field. The award-winning singer/songwriter and his band have signed on to entertain fans prior to kickoff, during selected breaks and during halftime on the new Titans Party Stage at every home game this season. In addition to Phil and his band playing chart-topping songs he's written for himself or other artists, he will also tap into the vast resources of Nashville's music scene and invite artists from rock, pop and other genres to join him on stage to entertain the crowds. This offseason the Titans made significant upgrades to LP Field, including the addition of a performance stage under the new video board in the north end zone. Congratulations to the Tennessee Titans and LP Field for being named September's brand champion!

August 2012
Nashville Sounds
Music City's minor league baseball team, the Nashville Sounds, have been entertaining families, visitors and baseball fans for more than 30 years at Greer Stadium. The team's name and logo perfectly capture what Nashville is all about – music. Fans can expect to get a healthy dose of music at every game. From the players, who have selected their own unique walk-up music, to the Music Industry Wednesdays with free live music and discounts for music industry professionals, the Sounds represent Music City well. Congratulations to this month's Brand Champion, the Nashville Sounds, for their use of in-game music, post-game concerts and music-themed logo and brand!

July 2012
Metro Public Works
Nashville's Department of Public Works, which delivers a wide range of services that help define the quality of life for residents of Nashville/Davidson County, has added visitors to its list of customers. Earlier this year, Public Works rolled out a new website and added a new tagline to its logo referencing its efforts to improve the quality of life for both locals and visitors alike. The new tagline reads: "Metro Nashville Public Works: Improving the Quality of Life for Nashvillians and Our Visitors." For embracing the visitors of our city, we name Metro Public Works this month's brand champion.

June 2012
Scarritt-Bennett Center
This month's brand champion is Scarritt-Bennett Center, which receives the honor for incorporating the Music City brand into its programming. A tree-filled oasis located in the heart of the city known for its award-winning architecture built from vari-colored Crab Orchard stone, offers a music-shaped, experiential worship service inspired by jazz music. Vespers & All That Jazz takes place every Sunday at 6:30 p.m. in the Wrightman Chapel at Scarritt-Bennett and is free and open to the public. Congratulations and thanks to Scarritt-Bennett for embracing the Music City brand.

May 2012
Opry Mills
Opry Mills - the largest outlet, value retail, dining and entertainment destination in Tennessee - reopened its doors on March 29 after closing for two years following the May 2010 floods. The month-long, Tennessee-inspired grand reopening celebration featured a series of fashion, lifestyle, musical and family-friendly events, culminating with a free, live concert headlined by Josh Turner on May 5. In addition, the mall displayed musical instrument graphics on signage displays and offered live music in stores such as Old Navy throughout the month. For this and many other reasons, we name Opry Mills as this month's brand champion.

April 2012
TPAC
The Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) has consistently embraced the Music City brand through its marketing efforts and live musical performances. Recently, TPAC partnered with Nashville's Music Council to set a new stage in Music City. "The Attic Sessions" at War Memorial Auditorium's Attic Lounge showcases Nashville artists in a historical and intimate setting, offering guests the opportunity to delve into the stories and writers behind the music away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. TPAC has created a truly authentic space by incorporating local art, a bar made out of barn wood and a rug restored from the 2010 Nashville flood. For this and much more, this month's brand champion is TPAC.

March 2012
Nordstrom
Going "local" for Nordstrom didn't stop at opening a new store at The Mall at Green Hills back in September. The store also partnered with Music City's iconic Hatch Show Print to advertise its Grand Opening events and product catalog. The store showcased its connection to Music City with Americana-flavored typography and music-themed imagery. In addition, Nordstrom recently hosted a fashion show at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center as part of Nashville Symphony's annual education outreach program to raise money for the arts in Middle Tennessee schools. For promoting and embracing the Music City brand, thanks and congratulations to Nordstrom. "The Attic Sessions" are posted online at www.theatticsessions.com.

February 2012
vitaminwater
Local residents have likely seen the most recent advertising campaign for vitaminwater, and noticed that it is distinctively talking to 'Music City.' The campaign features music-themed tag lines such as "Music to Your Insides" to promote the popular, vitamin-infused, flavored drinks. The product has also used Nashville native and country superstar Carrie Underwood in its national advertising campaign and promotions. Congratulations and thanks to vitaminwater for embracing the Music City Brand.

December 2011
Radisson Hotel at Opryland
The recent renovations at the Radisson Hotel at Opryland make it undeniable that you are in Music City. Beautiful art through the rooms and lobby area tout colorful musical instruments. The restaurant provides a tribute to the Grand Ole Opry, with guitars and other string instruments included on overhead light panels as well as benches from the Ryman in the waiting area. Customers are even treated to a live musical number every thirty minutes from one of the friendly servers. Congratulations to the Radisson Hotel at Opryland for embracing the Music City Brand.