Strap in ladies and gentlemen because this list ain’t over yet! We’ve still got two more places to knock off so if you find yourself in Nashville with a beautiful young woman or a confused young man, at least you’ll know where to go to see great live music and, if you happen to swing and blues dance, shake your groove thang just like your mama and Peaches and Herb taught you.
As a short recap, the number 4 spot went to BB Kings and number 3 went to the Parthenon. But we’ve got two more, so if the only way you know how to count is by extending your middle finger in anger because you never made it past preschool, then shoot ‘em up on both hands cause that’s how many we have left.
I said both fingers kid.
Coming in at Number 2: The 5 Spot
The 5 spot is a smokey little bar that draws in quite a local crowd and doesn’t come across feeling pretentious or posh. Said differently, the people aren’t douches. Now though this place has live music, the Monday night dance is Dj’d. I chose this one because the place draws the most dancers and has quite a rockabilly crowd.
One thing I’ve noticed about Nashville is that rockabilly is popular and a lot of the girls really doll themselves up when they come out.
Sarah is just one of the many sexy dancers you’ll see dressing like this and twirling her skirt around Nashville.
If you’re not a dancer, this place is great from open to close. Lots of locals, fun music, and an awesome atmosphere of great looking people. If you’re a dancer, this place is great up until 11:30 - Midnight. After that, people wander off onto the dance floor with drinks and lit cigarettes in their hands. I want to know who wrote the book on dance stupidity because these people need to be its centerfold.
Finally, without further ado and hillbilly mug shots, the Number 1 spot for my favorite place to dance to live music in Nashville goes to…
Robert’s Western World
The first time I came to this place I was taken aback by the small dance floor. However, after 30 seconds of hearing the music and feeling the energy of the crowd, that hesitation washed away.
This place is overflowing with fantastic energy. A small honkey tonk that has featured many of music’s greats, it’s right in the heart of Broadway so you’re never far from more live music if you feel like walking. Best of all, there’s no cover. For the caliber of music I heard here, that is a steal. If you’re anywhere outside of an OJ Simpson trial, people enjoy watching dancers, but here you feel like a rock star yourself if you dance. The crowd eats it up by the spoonful.
The two bands you must see when you come to this place are The Don Kelly Band, featuring the “cream your jeans” awesomeness of guitarist JD Simo who is by far one of the best country and blues guitar players I have ever seen live.
The other is Harry Fontana who’s a pink wearing rockabilly star with an energy and dynamite personality that makes you want to shake both left legs if that’s all you have to dance with.
One of the best parts about both these bands is that they often feature Slick Joe Fick on the upright bass.
The 2nd time I saw this guy, he picked up his double bass and played it behind his head. !!! I was floored when I saw that! (link to this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql-dfBRswyA)
To see more of these two bands, check out my two Nashville video entries. For my article on the Top 3 and 4 spot, go to
http://wacsonwacsoff.tumblr.com/post/9351957262/monty-python-and-the-top-4-places-to-dance-to-live
So there you have it folks, my Top 4 places to dance and hear live music in Nashville. It really is next to impossible to see bad music down here and best of all, the majority of it is free. Bands do ask for tips so if you want to give back, that’s the way to do it. As for me, I just brag the hell out of them online.
Be sure to tune in next time to hear about some of Nashville’s local bests and one of the best little speakeasy’s I’ve ever been to.
