How three Tennessee cities shaped American music, plus a playlist of songs about our state

Photo via Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division / This photo from the late 1800s shows a group portrait of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, with (from left) Minnie Tate, Greene Evans, Isaac Dickerson, Jennie Jackson, Maggie Porter, Ella Sheppard, Thomas Rutling, Benjamin Holmes and Eliza Walker. The Fisk singers were instrumental in preserving a unique American musical tradition, and their group put Nashville music on the map. Photo via Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division / This photo from the late 1800s shows a group portrait of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, with (from left) Minnie Tate, Greene Evans, Isaac Dickerson, Jennie Jackson, Maggie Porter, Ella Sheppard, Thomas Rutling, Benjamin Holmes and Eliza Walker. The Fisk singers were instrumental in preserving a unique American musical tradition, and their group put Nashville music on the map.

By Alison Gerber February 1, 2023 17 min read

From fiddles and banjos played in the hills of Appalachia to the guitar and harmonica melodies of the delta blues, music created in Tennessee has had a profound influence on American music and culture.

Many a song bears the word “Tennessee” in its lyrics or title, from familiar tunes — “Born on a mountain top in Tennessee” or “Give me a T for Texas, give me a T for Tennessee” — to more obscure melodies.

We’ll take a look at songs about Tennessee (or that feature Tennessee or its cities prominently). Check out the list below or, to hear a playlist, go to timesfreepress.com/TNsongs.