Proud to be an American, and a Nashvillian!

We know how great Nashville is, and it seems the rest of the world is getting the message, too, thanks to some recent national coverage in major media outlets. While you’re relaxing poolside, beachside or inside with the a.c. blasting this July 4th, take a peek at the variety of ways our fair city is being touted these days. Makes you proud to live here, right!? 

Kim Severson of The New York Times wrote a great article two weeks ago on all the new restaurants springing up around town: “Nashville’s Rising Stars: The Kitchen Is Their Studio.” Read the article here: www.newyorktimes.com.

(And yes, the journalist was a tad confused lumping all of the great places she reviewed in the “East Nashville” category. The Gulch, Germantown and 12 South aren’t technically East Nashville, but we’re willing to let that slide, as it’s great to see so many local establishments recognized. Click the following link to see a map of some of the eateries featured: NYT Article “Nashville’s Rising Stars” Restaurant Map.)

Here’s an interesting piece on the music biz from Forbes in early June: www.forbes.com.

Just last week, Business Insider ranked Nashville as the 9th “Hottest American City of the Future.” For the full article, click here.

And check out this 8-page spread for GQ called “Nowville,” and their take on the cool people bringing a hip edge to Nashville. The images aren’t yet up on the GQ site, but the Scene posted a pdf of the pics here: thenashvillescene.com.

Perhaps the coolest coming attraction, though, is the new television series launching this fall called Nashville. IMDB describes it as a drama “about a fading Nashville superstar [who] is forced to team up with a teen sensation or face the loss of her tour and promotion of her latest records.” While this sounds vaguely like Gwyneth Paltrow’s Country Strong, we’re still game and excited. (For more info about the great cast, click on this website: www.imdb.com.)  Here’s a preview:

And one final television-related tidbit: Reality TV comes to town…

In case you missed it, there are at least two reality shows hoping to start filming here very soon (and we hear rumors of a third…). The production companies working on these Nashville-focused shows asked us to share some casting call info with our readers. We weren’t sure if we really wanted to share this info, as we are completely baffled why anyone would want to be on these type of shows, but in the end, it is fun to talk about and we’ll probably have to tune in for a few episodes ourselves. So, if you’re clamoring for your 15 minutes of fame, here’s your chance.

• Created by the executive producers of Bravo’s Pregnant in Heels, a new series for a major cable network is in the works that will feature 5 young and hip recently divorced men and women who are jumping into the world of the newly single. The production company in charge, Hud:sun Media, is looking to cast big, bold and confident Nashville characters who are open to sharing this life-changing journey with the American audience. If you’re interested, contact producer Cori Diamond for more information at castingnashvillesingles@gmail.com. 
• And, the producers of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and The Real Housewives of Orange County are also working on a new Nashville based docu-series for a major cable network. If you or someone you know is a successful, powerful WOMAN, single or married, with an outstanding personality, who frequents the Nashville social scene, email [email protected]. (Include your name, recent photos, contact information and a brief bio about you/your family.) Entrepreneurs, power couples, CEO’s, wives of music execs and sports players and the like are encouraged to apply.

We’re eagerly waiting to see who joins the casts of these shows — do you secretly have your list of top 5 picks? Um, don’t tell, but we do. <wink> 

We’re off the rest this week – hope you and yours enjoy a fabulous 4th! Happy birthday, America!