Hello Friday.
April 19 2024
Since we live in Music City, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to reminisce on Nashville’s rich music history during National Piano Month. Today, we’re reprising the story of one of the most influential players in the Southern piano scene. 🎹
Jesse French relocated to Nashville from England with his family when he was 10 years old. He quickly picked up a love for music + began playing piano for a small band. His passion turned into a career that led to the opening of the Jesse French Piano & Organ Company.
At the time, Nashville was a small town bustling with residents with an eye for glamour + music. Seen as a product for the middle class, pianos became extremely popular and were highly desired. In 1854, a report by the Republican Banner claimed, “We have heard the opinion expressed that there were, probably, more pianos in Nashville than in any place of its population in the United States.”
Placing a unique equal emphasis on pianos and sheet music, the company expanded to St. Louis in 1887 + quickly became one of the largest piano companies in the South. In the 1890s, the business relocated to its final home at 240-242 5th Ave. N.
According to an ad, Jesse’s pianos were once selling for $200 (which is ~$2,700 today), and organs were a whopping $65. Around 200 instruments from some of the most iconic makers were kept in stock in the new Queen Anne style building.
On Tuesday and Friday nights, the amateur Jesse French Orchestral Society of Nashville would meet at the shop to play. Jesse has been credited for playing a major role in the development of ragtime music in the late 1800s-early 1900s.
What happened to the company + what is the building now? Click the button below to find out. ⬇️
Use the buttons below to share this story with your friends, neighbors, and anyone else who loves Nashville's music history.
Today
- Indigo Girls | Tues., Sept. 28 | 7:30 p.m. | Ryman Auditorium | $32.50+ | Folk rock duo showcasing their latest album, "Look Long"
Wednesday
- Santana | Wed., Sept. 29 | 8 p.m. | FirstBank Amphitheater | $15+ | The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist’s Blessings and Miracles tour
- Nashville SC vs. Orlando SC | Wed., Sept. 29 | 7:30 p.m. | Nissan Stadium | $15+ | Nashville takes on Orlando at home. ⚽
Thursday
- Nashville Film Festival | Thurs., Sept. 30-Wed., Oct. 6 | Times vary | Locations vary | Prices vary | 150+ films will be screened during the festival's 52nd year.
- Songwriters Night | Thurs., Sept. 30 | 6-9 p.m. | Pennington Distillery, 900 44th Ave. N. | $150+ | Enjoy bites, an open bar + chart-topping hits at an event benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.
Friday
Saturday
- Vanderbilt vs. UConn | Sat., Oct. 2 | 6:30 p.m. | Vanderbilt Stadium | $30+ | The Commodores will take on the Huskies on Educator Appreciation Day, Cheer and Spirit Day + Family Weekend.
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.
Weather
- 86º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain
Development
- West Nashville will soon see construction underway for the new Breeze Block project at 6100 Robertson Ave. The former warehouse will be transformed into commercial space + 24 townhomes, led by Nashville-based developer Nathan Lyons. (Nashville Post)
Number
- 436,868. The number of fans First Horizon Park saw cheering for the Nashville Sounds in 2021, setting a record for the highest annual attendance in MiLB history. The Sounds finished with a 41-24 season, winning their last game against the Columbus Clippers on Sunday night. ⚾ (WZTV)
Outdoor
- Friends of Radnor Lake have created 3 new wheelchair-accessible bridges made out of recycled materials to benefit both visitors and wildlife that call the area home. Pedestrians will now have additional overpasses, which will help filter water + create a better environment for birds when beavers build dams nearby. (WSMV)
Dish
- You can now have Music City’s most iconic dish as soon as the wheels hit the ground. Party Fowl is officially open in Nashville International Airport’s Concourse D serving up hot chicken, specialty drinks, and more. 🍗
Today Is
- Voter Registration Day. All state residents can head out to the event shelter at Centennial Park between 12-5 p.m. today to register or update current registration during the nonpartisan voter registration drive. 🗳️
State
- Recently, we told y’all that voting was open for Tennessee’s new license plate, which left many wondering how the 4 designs were chosen. Learn how the team at digital design company Speak Creative came up with the plates — from the words inscribed to the color choices. (The Tennessean)
Travel
- WeGo’s Titans Express tickets are now on sale for the next 2 Titans games at Nissan Stadium. 🏈
Coming Soon
- We Rock the Spectrum, the state’s first indoor gym for children with all abilities, is opening this fall at 1113 Murfreesboro Rd., Suite 203 in Franklin. The gym aims to create an inclusive environment with open floor time + 12 pieces of equipment that help with sensory processing. (Nashville Lifestyles)
Award
- Mickey Guyton, a Nashville-based country artist with Capitol Records Nashville, has been named Breakout Artist of the Year by CMT. The singer will be honored during the 2021 CMT Artist of the Year ceremony on Oct. 13 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. 🎤 (The Boot)
Film
Arts
- There’s one week left for any and all creatives to submit their Nashville-focused designs into our Rep Your City Design Contest. (Not ready to submit your design? No worries — this is a campaign we’re running for several months, selecting several designs.) 🎨
Shop
- Want to add comfort and style to your closet? Meet Rothy's, the sustainable shoes with zero break-in period. Seamlessly knit with recycled materials, Rothy’s are exceptionally comfortable, totally sustainable, and fully machine washable. Bonus: Free shipping and returns. Ⓟ
This new long term parklet outside of Kernels Nashville (2501 Gallatin Ave. B) will offer visitors a place to sit and munch on their treats, complete with movie shorts, trailers, and more projected on the screen. 🍿
This parklet is part of the city’s initiative to change the pedestrian experience of busy downtown streets. Inspired by the 24-hour PARK(ing) day, these fixtures will stick around for 6 months or longer.
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