Second Avenue Historic District

You are now standing in the Second Avenue Historic District, a thriving commercial district that dates to the late 19th century. Second Avenue was originally called Market Street, and as its former name suggests, its proximity to the Cumberland River made it an early spot for commerce and industry. Goods were transported from the river into the warehouses that lined First Avenue (formerly Wharf Street), then sold out of the storefronts along Second Avenue. Many of these original structures remain and are now restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. Walk down Second Avenue as you listen to this three-part stop. It includes B.B. King’s Blues Club, The George Jones, and the Wildhorse Saloon.

B.B. King’s Blues Club

First up we have the B.B. King’s Blues Club—a chain of restaurants and music venues named for B. B. King, one of the most influential blues singers of all time. You’ve already heard a sample of his music and King regularly played in Nashville. King’s unique voice and style of guitar playing earned him the title “King of the Blues.” The original B.B. King’s club opened in 1991 in Memphis, Tennessee, with additional clubs opening in New York, Los Angeles, and Orlando. The Nashville location opened in 2003 and has two stages for live entertainment and a stunning view of the Cumberland River. This club highlights jazz, blues, and R&B music, like King’s jazz classic, “Nobody Loves Me But My Mother.”

Nobody loves me but my mother and she could be jivin’ too

I said nobody loves me but my mother and she could be jivin’ too

Now you see why I act so funny, baby

When you do the things you do

Keep walking down Second Avenue towards the George Jones Museum (in the direction of Broadway).

The George Jones

Next, we have The George Jones. This building serves multiple purposes as a restaurant, music venue, and museum dedicated to the legendary George Jones. So step inside and you can eat, listen, and learn all at once! George Jones, nicknamed The Possum, had 13 number 1 country hits. Released in 1959, Jones’ song “White Lightnin” launched his career and was his first number one hit. But his greatest hit was a sad ballad, entitled “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” It goes like this:

He stopped loving her today

They placed a wreath upon his door

And soon they’ll carry him away

He stopped loving her today

Songs like this were reflections of his tumultuous private life, including years of alcoholism and troubled marriages. The museum features his iconic suits, guitars, and even a replica of his riding lawnmower. The lawnmower was involved in one of Jones’ most infamous incidents. Then-wife Shirley Ann Corley once hid his car keys when Jones was binge drinking. After he ran out of alcohol, Jones rode his John Deere riding lawnmower to the nearest liquor store at a top speed of five miles per hour. If you visit the liquor store, still located on Eighth Avenue South, you will find a mural of Jones on his tractor! 

Wildhorse Saloon

As you continue on Second Avenue, you’ll spot the Wildhorse Saloon, located right next to the George Jones Museum. Once a historic warehouse, the Saloon was bought by Gaylord Entertainment and converted into a three-story restaurant and entertainment venue. In 1994, a herd of cattle ran through the doors of the Saloon to celebrate its opening. So maybe it should be called the WildCattle Saloon! With its large dance floor, line dancing lessons are offered all week that are suitable for all ages. (For more family activities, check out our Family Fun Tours.) Up and coming country musicians often play here, but Wildhorse Saloon has also featured well-known artists like Trace Adkins and Kenny Chesney. 

The final stop is the Hard Rock Cafe and Silver Dollar Saloon, now the Hard Rock Cafe gift shop. Keep walking on Second Avenue until you reach the Silver Dollar Saloon on your left, at the corner of Second and Broadway. Feel free to begin the narration as you turn LEFT onto Broadway and walk toward the Hard Rock entrance.