CMT Building

The building in front of you holds offices for Country Music Television, the leading source of all things country music. Founded by Glenn D. Daniels and initially based in Hendersonville, Tennessee, CMT first aired in 1983 and was the first national television channel dedicated solely to country music. 

The station played music videos, live performances, specials, and biographies of country music stars. Here’s a sample of “It’s Four in the Morning,” by Faron Young:

Its four in the morning and once more the dawning

Just woke up the wanting in me

Wishing I’d never met her, knowing if I’d forget her

How much better off she would be

This song was the first music video aired on CMT in 1983. CMT has since added reality shows, variety shows, and movies to their programing. Any fans of the show Nashville? After ABC cancelled the series in 2016, CMT picked it up and aired the final two seasons.

Even though CMT has added programming, its focus is still driven by music. Fun fact: CMT currently dedicates at least six hours a day to music videos. Each week, the CMT Hot Twenty counts down the top twenty country music videos in the country. Gaylord Opryland bought the station in 1991, followed by ViacomCBS in 1997, and the official headquarters are now in New York, but this building still holds CMT offices. They also air the CMT Music Awards, hosted in Nashville every year. Voted on by fans, awards include categories for best country music videos and best performance of the year. To be clear, this awards show is not connected to the CMA Awards, which is also broadcast live from Nashville. Now with streaming options, CMT had more than 90 million subscribers in 2018.

Take a LEFT onto Commerce Street and continue walking until you reach Second Avenue. Cross Second Avenue, and B.B King’s Blues Club is located directly in front of you.