One hundred years ago, when the Grand Ole Opry began as the WSM Barn Dance broadcast, Hank Williams was just a toddler. Bessie Smith had celebrated her first hit with 1923’s “Downhearted Blues,” but Robert Johnson wouldn’t cut his seminal recordings for another decade-plus.
Southern music has shape-shifted in countless ways in the century since that first broadcast. The mountain ballads of Appalachia contributed to the pioneering bluegrass of Bill Monroe. The soul sounds of Otis Redding and the blues of B.B. King went on to influence the Southern rock of Gregg Allman.
Landmark concert venues, museums, and music trails around the South continue to tell the region’s ever-changing sonic story, whether they’re displaying rare artifacts, hosting important musical acts, or encouraging the next generation to take the stage. In fact, for many Southerners, a mind-blowing amount of musical history is just a few dozen miles down the highway. Embrace the region’s rich tradition with a stop at any one of these must-see destinations the next time you’re in the neighborhood. Whether you’re a country fan, a jazz lover, a rock fanatic, or simply someone who appreciates great music of all genres, you’re sure to find something that’s music to your ears.
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Explore the evolution of country music from hillbilly boogie to Western swing and the Nashville Sound—in raucous honky-tonks, renowned concert halls, and even intimate listening rooms.
The Grand Ole Opry
Nashville, Tennessee
Country Music’s Biggest Stage celebrates its centennial anniversary this year, and it’s still broadcasting two to five days a week. Buy tickets early and feel free to go in blind; lineups for each two-hour Opry concert and broadcast are updated as acts are confirmed, with guests often added day-of-show.
Illustration by John S. Dykes
The Ryman
Nashville, Tennessee
The Mother Church of Country Music began as, well, a church: Built in the late 1800s, it hosted sermons and worship services before becoming home to the Opry from 1943 to 1974. Today, the same pews host concertgoers for live music of all stripes—complete with heavenly acoustics.
Illustration by John S. Dykes
Dollywood
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Rides, live music, and cinnamon bread aren’t the only attractions at Dolly Parton’s namesake amusement park near her hometown. The Dolly Parton Experience, which opened last year, offers interactive glimpses into her life and career, including an entire wing filled with her iconic costumes, plus her former tour bus.
Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
Nashville, Tennessee
Exhibits rotate regularly at this must-visit attraction in the heart of downtown Nashville; Luke Combs and Rosanne Cash are two recent artists featured. An extensive permanent exhibit recounts the genre’s evolution through artifacts and archival footage. Check the calendar for regular songwriter sessions and events.
Illustration by John S. Dykes
Johnny Cash Museum
Nashville, Tennessee
A visit to the world’s largest collection of Johnny Cash memorabilia promises record-lined walls and historic treasures, like the Cash family piano—plus a small theater in which to view performance and interview clips. Fans of the Man in Black will especially appreciate personal relics like handwritten notes, yearbook pages, and school report cards.
Loretta Lynn Ranch
Hurricane Mills, Tennessee
Loretta and her husband, Oliver (more commonly known as “Doo”), purchased the town of Hurricane Mills in 1966; Loretta lived there until her death in 2022. Now, fans can tour their former home (don’t miss the Crisco Kitchen, where Loretta and her family filmed commercials for the shortening from the late ‘70s through the ‘80s), explore numerous exhibits and museums, and even see a replica of her Butcher Holler childhood cabin.
Courtesy Visit Virginia
The Carter Family Fold
Hiltons, Virginia
The First Family of Country Music’s legacy lives on at this rustic venue, still operated by A.P. and Sara Carter’s granddaughter, Rita Forrester. Acoustic concerts are held on Saturdays, and the on-site Carter Family Museum opens an hour before showtime. Be sure to explore A.P.’s birthplace—a restored 1800s cabin relocated to the property.
Courtesy of Nashville Convention & Visitor Corp.
Lower Broadway
Nashville, Tennessee
It can be tacky. It can be touristy. But if you’re looking to belt ’90s country, boot-scoot to live music, or simply bear witness to the revelry, Nashville’s Lower Broadway has a honky-tonk for that. Start with Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge or Robert’s Western World and see where the music takes you.
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Bristol, Virginia
The Bristol Sessions, recorded in 1927, helped launch the careers of folks like Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family—and shaped the sound of country music forever. Now, this Smithsonian-affiliated museum honors the impact of those sessions through rotating exhibits: Think Ellen Elmes’s bluegrass-inspired paintings, or documentary photography of the Chicks, Willie Nelson, and others. It also produces events like September’s Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, a three-day Americana festival featuring more than 100 acts.
The Bluebird Cafe
Nashville, Tennessee
This unassuming listening room is a haven for songwriters and a launchpad for stardom; Taylor Swift, Garth Brooks, and Faith Hill all played early gigs here. The venue’s open-mic nights and well-publicized “Shhh Policy” make it a coveted space for songwriters to share untested originals—and for audiences to hear the next big thing.
Songbirds Guitar and Pop Culture Museum
Chattanooga, Tennessee
The 30 rare guitars on display at this live-music venue and museum include a Fender Acoustasonic played by Dolly Parton and a 1968 Gibson ES-175D hollow-body once strummed by Loretta Lynn. Music geeks will also appreciate the extensive guitar-pedal exhibit. Museum admission is free, but ticketed live events offer an opportunity to hear from the next generation of songbirds; recent concerts have included the Secret Sisters and Noah Gunderson.
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Go to the place where the blues was born. Then bounce from clubs to record shops to museums and trace its evolution through the decades.
Courtesy Dockery Farms
Dockery Farms
Cleveland, Mississippi
Widely known as the birthplace of the blues, this former sharecropping community once operated largely as its own town. Legendary bluesman Charley Patton called the circa-1895 plantation home for decades, and his pioneering musical style was heavily influenced by fellow resident Henry Sloan, a guitarist. Explore the site’s preserved structures (cotton gin, filling station) and learn more about its legacy with a free self-guided tour.
Delta Blues Museum
Clarksdale, Mississippi
Established in 1979, this destination in the historic Clarksdale freight depot is the oldest music museum in the state. Stroll the gallery for guitars played by B.B. King or John Lee Hooker. Check out vintage Howlin’ Woof concert posters. And see inside the cabin where Muddy Waters once lived.
Ground Zero Blues Club
Clarksdale, Mississippi
Eat, sleep, and drink the blues at this live music institution co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman; its name refers to Clarksdale’s reputation as “ground zero” for the genre. Downstairs, the venue’s eclectic juke-joint atmosphere hosts regular blues performances and serves up Delta delicacies like catfish BLTs and hot tamales. Upstairs, seven apartments are available to rent by the night.
Photo by Craig Thompson
Beale Street
Memphis, Tennessee
Immortalized in W.C. Handy’s “Beale Street Blues,” this entertainment district has been a blues hot spot for more than a century, hosting such icons as Albert King and Memphis Minnie. Today, it’s a blues barhopper’s dream: Hit B.B. King’s, Rum Boogie Cafe, and Blues City Cafe for live music most nights of the year—or forgo the itinerary and follow your ears.
Bessie Smith Cultural Center
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Honoring the Empress of the Blues takes many forms at “the Bessie,” which encompasses an African American Music Museum, as well as a performance hall. The museum celebrates its namesake through concert posters, recordings, photographs, and memorabilia—including her baby grand piano. Visitors can also explore exhibits about African culture, Chattanooga’s Black music tradition, and the realities of the Jim Crow South.
Photo by Rory Doyle
Cat Head
Clarksdale, Mississippi
Shop this store brimming with music, folk art, and books from the Delta blues universe. Founded in 2002, the well-worn shop in Clarksdale’s historic downtown hosts regular live performances and plays an active role in community building beyond its walls: Owner Roger Stolle cofounded the city’s annual Juke Joint Festival, held every April.
Illustration by John S. Dykes
Ma Rainey House
Columbus, Georgia
Step into the beautifully restored home of the Mother of the Blues, a two-story shotgun house where she moved in the 1930s to retire. Check out the original oak furniture, alongside music memorabilia, such as theater invoices and an old phonograph, for a well-rounded glimpse at the blues legend. Tours are offered by appointment, and admission is free.
Illustration by John S. Dykes
Mississippi Blues Trail
Statewide, Mississippi
From the B.B. King Museum in Indianola to the Blue Front Cafe in Bentonia, you can chart your own path to more than 200 Magnolia State music landmarks. Following U.S. Highway 61—known to many as the Blues Highway—is a popular route. But the official Mississippi Blues Trail app offers plenty of other ideas, with sample itineraries, interactive maps, and historical fodder for every marker.
Illustration by John S. Dykes
Grammy Museum
Cleveland, Mississippi
As one of four Grammy Museums (the other Southern outpost, in Nashville, focuses on country music), this Highway 61 attraction celebrates Mississippi and the blues with impressive genre artifacts, like Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Number One” guitar. But other types of music shine, too; must-see items include John Coltrane’s saxophone and Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA cover outfit.
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From historic homes to sweat-soaked festivals, this eclectic trip through the South’s rock ‘n’ roll history is full of surprises.
Sun Studio
Sun Studio
Memphis, Tennessee
Billed as the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll, this unassuming studio captured Ike Turner’s “Rocket 88”—the genre’s first single—in 1951. It went on to host pioneers such as Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash in its heyday; visitors can now explore the facility and its memorabilia (including Elvis’s first microphone) on daily tours.
Courtesy Visit Macon
The Allman Brothers Band Museum
Macon, Georgia
Dickie Betts wrote “Blue Sky” in the living room and “Ramblin’ Man” in the kitchen. But today, “the Big House” is immortalized as an interactive museum with memorabilia ranging from tour credentials and handwritten lyrics to stage clothing and instruments. Tours are offered Thursday through Sunday.
Capricorn Records
Macon, Georgia
Capricorn Records is often lauded for its role in Southern rock history, representing the Allman Brothers Band and the Marshall Tucker Band. But the studio also produced cuts for Percy Sledge, Wet Willie, and Bonnie Bramlett, as well as 1990s artists such as Cake. Today, its walls are lined with photos, artifacts, and listening kiosks—a perfect primer on Macon’s many musical touchstones.
Illustration by John S. Dykes
Tina Turner Museum
Brownsville, Tennessee
Before becoming a household name, the Queen of Rock was educated at Flagg Grove School in Nutbush, Tennessee—a one-room schoolhouse built by her great-uncle in 1889. Now restored and moved to nearby Brownsville, the landmark displays the star’s costumes, gold records, magazine covers, and even an old yearbook.
Athens Music History Tour
Athens, Georgia
Learn the lore behind the Classic City’s many musical landmarks: Eat at Weaver D’s, the soul food restaurant that inspired R.E.M.’s Automatic for the People album title; track the celebrated 40 Watt Club’s evolution; or see where the Cramps played an impromptu 1980 gig in a storage room. Reserve expert-led walking tours for groups of 5 or more via Classic City Tours, or download a brochure from Visit Athens for a self-guided stroll.
Historic RCA Studio B
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville’s “Home of a Thousand Hits” may be part of the Country Music Hall of Fame, but this facility’s resume spans countless genres, artists, and sounds. Open daily, tour the Music Row studio where the Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Elvis, and the B-52s recorded major hits.
Illustration by John S. Dykes
Graceland
Memphis, Tennessee
An essential place of pilgrimage for any Elvis aficionado, his beloved estate offers multiple tour packages—and might merit more than one visit. Be sure to see the King’s shag-carpeted Jungle Room, pink Cadillac, and tricked-out private planes. And pay respects at his gravesite in the meditation garden.
Illustration by John S. Dykes
Muscle Shoals Sound Studio
Sheffield, Alabama
Chart-topping songs from the Rolling Stones, Bob Seger, Paul Simon, and Etta James were recorded in this hallowed studio, founded in 1969 by the Muscle Shoals Swampers. Musicians still flock here to record, but the facility is also open Tuesday through Saturday for public tours.
Macon Music Trail
Macon, Georgia
Catch a show at the Douglass Theatre, retrace the steps of the Allman Brothers Band, or explore Little Richard’s childhood home. The 40-plus stops on this self-guided audio tour span jazz, soul, rock, and beyond.
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
Manchester, Tennessee
Founded in 2002 with a bill of largely jam bands, this eclectic June music festival has evolved into a rite of passage for Southern music fans, with lineups that span all corners of the musical spectrum. This year, rock must-sees include Marcus King and Grace Bowers.
Spartanburg Music Trail
Spartanburg, South Carolina
The Marshall Tucker Band may be Spartanburg’s best-known musical export, but plenty of other lyrical changemakers have called the South Carolina city home. This 30-minute walking tour—organized by the Hub City Writers Project—explores nearly 200 years of music culture, unpacking local connections to Elvis, Paul Simon, Pink Floyd, and more.
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Duck into intimate dives or wander for hours in airy museums; the South’s jazz landmarks hold something for every taste.
New Orleans Jazz Museum
New Orleans, Louisiana
Filled with more than 25 thousand jazz artifacts, this archival collection is one of the largest of its kind. (Don’t miss Louis Armstrong’s first horn, or Fats Domino’s piano.) Rotating and permanent exhibits cover NOLA greats—including Warren “Baby” Dodds and the New Orleans Rhythm Kings—as well as more thematic installations, like a look at the history of drums. Located in the historic Old U.S. Mint, the museum also houses a performance, recording, and broadcasting center with hundreds of live-music events held each year.
Illustration by John S. Dykes
The Spotted Cat
New Orleans, Louisiana
Frenchmen Street is a jazz fan’s paradise, and the Spotted Cat might be its best-known dive. For a small cover charge, enjoy late-night tunes from some of the city’s best musicians—if you’re lucky (or patient) enough to get in. The minuscule capacity and no-frills digs make for an intimate and unpretentious listening space.
Photo by Zack Smith
Preservation Hall
New Orleans, Louisiana
This Big Easy institution’s roots go back to the 1950s, when a French Quarter gallery owner convinced jazz musicians to play for tips in front of his business, attracting passersby. The music eventually moved next door, becoming Preservation Hall in 1961—now home to a record label, a world-renowned house band, and a nonprofit devoted to protecting, preserving, and perpetuating New Orleans jazz. Stop in for performances nearly every night of the year, with ticketed events beginning as early as mid-afternoon.
National Museum of African American Music
Nashville, Tennessee
Whether it’s a trombone played by Helen Jones Woods or a blazer worn by B.B. King, there’s plenty to delight jazz aficionados at this trove of musical treasures. But jazz isn’t the only genre covered at this state-of-the-art museum, open since 2021. Through artifacts, events, and thoughtful storytelling, NMAAM highlights the evolution of all kinds of popular music, including funk and pop, connecting the dots between the sounds we know today and the visionaries who shaped them.
Photo by Justen Williams
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
New Orleans, Louisiana
Hometown sounds have drawn a national audience to this beloved festival since its inception in 1970, when greats like Mahalia Jackson played to a two-day crowd of just 350. Now, it’s a multi-weekend affair, with well-known locals like Jon Batiste and Trombone Shorty gracing the bill alongside plenty of up-and-comers. Jazz isn’t the only musical taste on the menu, either; Elton John, Neil Young, and even Jimmy Buffet have headlined the event over the years.
Illustration by John S. Dykes
The Maple Leaf
New Orleans, Louisiana
This uptown New Orleans institution opened in 1974 with a performance from Andrew Hall’s Society Jazz Band, an act that would go on to play the narrow venue every Saturday night for seven years. Today, the Maple Leaf still slots local acts on a regular weekly schedule, tapping talents across jazz, funk, R&B, and blues. Catch Grammy winner George Porter Jr. there every Monday, and be sure to show up early: The venue is first come, first served.
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
New Orleans, Louisiana
Established in 1994 to celebrate the birthplace of jazz, this historic park offers equal parts preservation, education, and entertainment. Enjoy free live music from world-renowned musicians. Walk Congo Square, where 19th-century gatherings for African dancing, drumming, and singing laid the groundwork for the jazz music of today. Or let the kids complete a series of hands-on activities to gain their own appreciation of music history—and earn their junior ranger badges along the way.
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Get to know bluegrass trailblazers—or pick up an instrument yourself—at these jam-studded events and historical attractions.
Courtesy Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame
Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Owensboro, Kentucky
See Bill Monroe’s fiddle and Pete Seeger’s banjo—then embark on a bluegrass journey of your own. The expansive museum’s “Pickin’ Parlor” invites visitors to try playing bluegrass instruments themselves. Jam sessions, held Saturday and Sunday afternoons, are free to the public.
The Station Inn
Nashville, Tennessee
Founded by bluegrass musicians in 1974, this no-frills Gulch venue has helped launch the careers of Dierks Bentley, Alison Krauss, and many others. Don’t miss the weekly Sunday jam; stars like Vince Gill and Molly Tuttle often sit in unannounced.
Bluegrass Heritage Museum
Winchester, Kentucky
Housed in a former medical clinic, this three-floor museum unpacks many interconnected cultural elements of the bluegrass tradition. Visitors will find vintage pianos, and other pieces of Appalachian music history. But there are also tributes to alternate forms of storytelling, like quilt-making.
MerleFest
Wilkesboro, North Carolina
This family-friendly spring festival, founded by Doc Watson in 1988 to honor his late son, Merle, celebrates “traditional-plus” roots music with four days of performances, jams, and workshops, April 24–27. Sam Bush, Wyatt Flores, and Watchhouse all grace the 2025 bill (as do rockers Bonnie Raitt and the Avett Brothers), but attendees are encouraged to bring their instruments too.
The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail
Virginia
Explore Appalachian music’s past and present on a 330-mile self-guided tour. Stop at the Floyd Country Store for the Friday Night Jamboree, or catch a bluegrass performance at Galax’s Rex Theater—home of the weekly Blue Ridge Backroads Live radio show.
Illustration by John S. Dykes
Bill Monroe Homeplace
Beaver Dam, Kentucky
Peruse the Father of Bluegrass’s family photos, awards, and instruments at this artfully restored home. And for a special treat, pack a lawn chair and enjoy “Pickin’ on the Porch,” a monthly concert series that runs from June to October.
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All aboard the midnight train to Georgia—or Tennessee, or Alabama—for a look back at some of soul’s pioneering moments.
Courtesy Memphis Tourism
Memphis Rock & Soul Museum
Memphis, Tennessee
See rarities like Sun Studio’s original playback speaker and Ike Turner’s first piano at this centrally located Smithsonian museum on Beale Street. With seven in-depth exhibits and a trove of interactive material, the full audio tour lasts five hours.
Illustration by John S. Dykes
Otis Redding Museum
Macon, Georgia
Take a closer look at the life of the songwriter and performer known for number-one hits “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” and “Respect” (made famous by Aretha Franklin). Right in the heart of downtown Macon, this unassuming storefront displays artifacts like the King of Soul’s family photos, vintage posters, and vibrant custom suits. Be sure to pick up some of the museum’s exclusive merch: All proceeds benefit the Otis Redding Foundation, which funds several music education initiatives.
Stax Museum of American Soul Music
Memphis, Tennessee
Immerse yourself in Stax Records, where artists like Wilson Pickett, the Staples Singers, and the renowned Stax Rhythm Section recorded some of soul music’s best-known tracks. Explore an exact replica of the original Studio A (located right where it used to stand), cut a rug on the Express Yourself dance floor, and peruse Stax’s enormous catalog in the Hall of Records. Don’t miss see-it-to-believe-it memorabilia, like the 24-karat-gold-trimmed Cadillac Eldorado that once belonged to Isaac Hayes.
Illustration by John S. Dykes
James Brown Family Historical Tour
Augusta, Georgia
Hop on a bus for a glimpse of James Brown’s Augusta, including stops at his elementary school, childhood home, various businesses, and local tributes. Guided by a member of his family, the tour starts at the Augusta Museum of History—a site that boasts its own impressive deep-dive into the Godfather of Soul’s unparalleled career. Reservations must be made in advance, and admission includes museum entry.
FAME Studios
Florence, Alabama
It’s where Wilson Pickett recorded “Mustang Sally” and Aretha Franklin cut “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man.” Since 1959, FAME (Florence Alabama Music Enterprises) has recorded some of soul’s most distinguished voices. Originally housed above Florence’s City Drug Store (where musicians could buy or pawn instruments two doors down), the studio moved in 1961 to its current location in Muscle Shoals. Tours are offered Monday through Saturday.
This article appears in the Spring 2025 issue of Southbound.
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