Sax player:interracial marriage: Nashville??? (Waverly: condo, crime, house)

[SmokinJoe]

Hi everybody...I'm thinking about relocating to Nashville...does anyone know how hard or easy it would be to land a gig up there and where the best place to live would be for networking? I've opened for Ray Charles, Dixie Chicks, The Eagles etc...so I know my stuff and have been doing this exclusively for the past 20 years. My wife and I are sick of Orlando and would like to get out...

BTW, one more thing...we're an interracial couple...do you think we would have a rough time of it in Nashville?

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by SmokinJoe

BTW, one more thing...we're an interracial couple...do you think we would have a rough time of it in Nashville?

To a large degree, Nashville maintains a "live and let other people alone" attitude. You will probably run into one person in a hundred who will give you "that look", but I'd be surprised if you get harassed or that anyone would actually bother you about it. As I understand it, there is still a bit of resentment in the poorer sections of the black community against a white guy with a black woman, but overall I don't think it would be much of a problem. Of course, we have a few knuckleheads here as well as any place else.

While Nashville was never perfect and maintained a "separate but equal" standard for a long time, the relations between blacks and whites was generally better here than in most southern cities, and better than in many northern ones as well. Part of the proof of that is we've got three predominantly black universities here, including a medical school.

Just my opinion. I haven't made a study of it.

[SmokinJoe]

Thanks...we've definitely seen an improvement over the past ten yrs here in Orlando regarding interracial "looks" from people...I didn't know if Nashville was as progressive due to it being in the "real" south as opposed to Orlando which is almost not southern at all. Thanks again for the advice.

[Diane Giam]

Originally Posted by SmokinJoe

Thanks...we've definitely seen an improvement over the past ten yrs here in Orlando regarding interracial "looks" from people...I didn't know if Nashville was as progressive due to it being in the "real" south as opposed to Orlando which is almost not southern at all. Thanks again for the advice.

Nashville is also made up of people from different states like Florida. Sometimes its hard to find a native. I don't think you will have a problem. The couple that has the house behind me is interacial and no one "looks" at them.

Diane G

[denawilliams]

With your experience, you should be able to plug in nicely. And if you end up playing here locally, let me know! Seriously. I would love to hear you play. Love love to listen to a great quality sax player. You asked about the best place to live for networking. People are spread all over, but you'll find it easier to network if you're closest to the majority of things. So I'd recommend the Music Row area, Belmont, Vandy/Hillsboro Village, 12 South, Waverly, West End, Sylvan Park or Cherokee Park. East Nashville might be an option for you too. Or if condo living is something you're interested in, you might even try downtown.

I also don't believe you'll have issues as a couple. I think you'll like Nashville. Good luck in your decision.

[yank283]

There's quite a burgeoning music scene on the east side of the river. Not sure if this is your cup of tea or if your looking for a more "industry" type area. I've heard that almost every other house in Lockland Springs has a music studio in it (I'm sure that's an exaggeration). People compare it to Austin in the 70's. Bands of all types live and record over there. Here's a article about it in the NY times from last summer -

Nashville’s Band of Outsiders

http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/09/23/travel/tmagazine/10talk-nashville-t.html?ref=travel

and another article -

East Nashville and the New Country Outlaws of Music City, U.S.A.

East Nashville and the New Country Outlaws of Music City, U.S.A. - Feature Story - Crawdaddy!

Also, I would consider this area probably the most liberal in Davidson county. There seems to be much less racial tension here compared to other citites I have lived. It's got to be the presence of three predominantly black universities like Alleycat said and she's right on regarding race relations. I would do a search on this site about East Nashville also to hear the pro's and cons. There's a tight nit community there that looks out for each other, but crime can still be an issue.

[bluesky42day]

Hi Joe, I love Nashville & am sure it would be a great fit for you & your wife. I have been in an interracial relationship for 3 years (I am white, he is black) & have never had any problems. I live in East Nashville & we are known to be accepting of all people regardless of race/orientation/class etc. That being said I think you would be fine anywhere near Nashville but would probably be most happy in one of the neighborhoods Dena suggested as opposed to the suburbs.

[SmokinJoe]

Thanks for the information Dena...that gives me a great starting point. It's so overwhelming to look at a big city and have no idea where to begin.

[BNB]

Hi SmokinJoe and welcome! Coming from California we see interracial couples of all kinds and no one thinks anything of it...and so, the concept that there would be anything odd about it, is very foreign to me. I hope that you find a place to settle and feel right at home. My hubby and I are relocating to middle TN in the spring. We cannot wait!

[ceeveg]

I agree. I think it is hard to find a native Nashvillian in Nashville anymore, but I think, regardless, most people are very accepting and friendly. I can't speak for surrounding cities but Nashville seems more progressive than people might think.