Tune In Alert: Listen to Episode Two as Tennessee Tourism Presents Civil Rights Trail Podcast

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – June 27, 2022 – Listen now to episode two of the Tennessee Civil Rights Trail podcast. Episode two focuses on Nashville’s Civil Rights history. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD), Travel South USA and Ingredient Creative launched the three-episode series, which features real stories from Civil Rights veterans who were there, who made a difference, and explain why what took place then is still so relevant today.

Episode two dives deep into stories at sites like the Witness Walls and Civil Rights Room at Nashville Public Library and about protestors making their voices heard and the role college students played in the movement. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. praised the Nashville sit-in movement as “the best organized and the most disciplined in the Southland.”

“You weren’t just showing up to create a ruckus. You were showing up to demonstrate to the world we are just as good as you are,” said Crystal deGregory, historian, storyteller and graduate of Fisk University.

The podcast also features stories of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, the importance of music during the Movement and how Nashville made a name for itself as “Music City.”

“There’s no way the Grand Ole Opry could not have hosted Black musicians where there was so much talented black music happening around that space. You’re not going to ignore someone like James Brown. Like that’s just not, that’s not possible,” said Katie Rainge-Briggs, collections manager, National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM).

NMAAM, along with Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis are the two newest of the 14 Tennessee stops along the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. June marks Black Music Month. The podcast delves into music’s role in uniting and inspiring during the Civil Rights’ era. Episode one focused on Memphis’ Civil Rights’ history, including the role of music and radio and Dr. Martin Luther King’s work and legacy at sites like the National Civil Rights Museum.

Next in episode three, which airs July 4, the podcast travels back in time to 1956 as 12 students become the first to integrate a previously all-white school in Tennessee. Hear impactful stories from members of the Clinton 12 and how that legacy is told at Green McAdoo Cultural Center.

For more information on Tennessee’s 14 stops along the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, visit www.TNcivilrightstrail.com. Travelers can also document their visits and redeem their “stamped” passports for prizes, all from their mobile device, using Bandwango. Passports are available online. Join the conversation on social media at #tncivilrightstrail.

ABOUT TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TOURIST DEVELOPMENT

Tennessee is the home of the blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly, and rock ‘n’ roll— delivering an unparalleled experience of beauty, history, and family adventure, infused with music, that creates a vacation that is the “Soundtrack of America. Made in Tennessee.” Explore more at tnvacation.com and join other Tennessee travelers by following “TNVacation” on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube, and “Tennessee” on Snapchat.

TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TOURIST DEVELOPMENT MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jill Kilgore

Jill.Kilgore@tn.gov

Amanda Murphy

Amanda.Murphy@tn.gov

Mary Katelyn Price

MaryKatelyn.Price@tn.gov

*Note: Interviewees featured in podcast available upon request to Jill.Kilgore@tn.gov