A musician's candid advice is changing how tourists experience Music City
A comment in the Nashville Visitors Facebook Group from Broadway performer Jason McPhail is going viral for revealing the unspoken rules of Nashville's honky-tonk culture. His insider perspective answers questions every tourist has wondered about but never knew who to ask.
The Energy Economy of Broadway
“So the culture on Broadway, is generally (in my opinion) rowdy country, southern rock, and rock for the most part,” McPhail explains. But it's not just about musical preference—it's about economic survival.
“With no cover charge at the bars, if people don't want to slow down, they will just leave and hop to the next one,” he reveals. These performers aren't just entertaining; they're keeping people in their seats.
McPhail breaks down the balancing act: “Something to think about, if you are requesting a slow song, and the crowd is jamming out, it could potentially kill the vibe and people could leave.”
He's strategic about it: “Personally, we try and reserve max 2-3 slow ones in a 3&1/2 hour set.”
The Real Reason Behind “We Don't Know That Song”
McPhail addresses what every tourist has experienced: “Sometimes people may say ‘we don't know that one' and it doesn't mean we don't know it necessarily, it's that we are trying to keep the crowd engaged.”
The scope of requests is staggering. “Good examples, one night, we had Glen Campbell, Morgan Wallen, Elvis, Derek and the dominoes, and Randy Rogers all requested in the same set. That is insane,” McPhail writes. “We can't know every artist, and trust me, we want to play what yall wanna hear! But it has to work with the crowd.”
Your Broadway Bar Guide
McPhail provides a venue roadmap:
“If you generally like classics, like old classics, Robert's is a great spot on Broadway.”
“If you like a more up beat, with a blend of classics and 90's with some southern rock, I play Laylas, Legends, Second Fiddle, and The Stage.”
“For a lot of the real new stuff, Wallen, Post, Hardy, a lot of times you're gonna hit their bars. I know Cat 10 has a massive line dance following.”
The Bottom Line
McPhail's comment resonates because it reveals Broadway as a complex ecosystem where performers are simultaneously entertainers, crowd psychologists, and business partners. His key message: “just remember yall, we are humans, and we want you to have fun with us! So be flexible, find what ya like, because I promise it's here, and enjoy!”
The viral response shows tourists appreciate the honesty. Broadway isn't just about watching a show—visitors are part of creating the experience everyone shares.
Read the full post here in the Nashville Visitors group:
