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As always, remember: Never invest money you can't afford to lose.
As the developers of Upland slowly add new cities into their property-trading blockchain game, the need to expand into the southern United States continues to grow. And there's probably not a better candidate on the board for that than Nashville, Tennessee.
My hometown is known in some circles as "Music City USA" as the music business has thrived here for decades. Country music gets the most attention, but the modern-day approach is far more diversified than focusing on just one genre.
I've jokingly called dibs on the Ryman Auditorium (I don't have that kind of power), as it's one of Nashville's beloved live music venues. But there are so many great choices along those lines.
Bridgestone Arena, Nissan Stadium, the Ascend Amphitheater, and the Grand Ole Opry are all locations that should warrant consideration. My high school graduation was held at the Opry, I should note.
For the local purist in me, smaller venues like Exit/In or The Cannery would probably be more in line for what I want. Or perhaps a bit more toward vintage Nashville with venerable War Memorial Auditorium.
Alternately, it's hard to go wrong with the Country Music Hall of Fame. So much history from so many talented musicians and songwriters is preserved there.
Broadway and 2nd Avenue downtown locations will likely be in high demand, particularly iconic establishments like Jack's Bar-B-Que and the Ernest Tubb Record Shop, which live on aside the many new businesses that have sprung forth in recent years in the heart of the city.
Nashville is where tradition and tourism combine into a strong overall package. There's something for practically anyone here.
Want to talk business? There are many options on Music Row. For those wishing to spend money, shopping at Green Hills Mall presents many options. If outlet shopping is more your speed, Opry Mills is a great option.
Opry Mills sits on the land that once was home to the Opryland amusement park, where I worked in the summer of 1994. Fun memories.
If fine arts is your game, head to the Cheekwood Botanical Garden on the west side of town. Or maybe opt for the Frist Art Museum downtown if you're looking to stay in that area.
Speaking of the west side, there are some properties on River Road that I'd love to target as my family has owned them in real life for many years now.
East Nashville has had a resurgence of sorts in recent years, including my buddy Todd's unique bar/record shop known as Vinyl Tap.
The Parthenon will likely command a pretty penny. Ditto for Andrew Jackson's Hermitage. Circa fall 1982, five-year-old me tried out for the short-lived TV game show Child's Play there.
You can't tell the story of my life without talking about the city of Nashville.
There are cases to be made for cities like Atlanta and Memphis and Birmingham. And I have much love for Tampa, Florida, where I lived in the Ybor City area for five years.
But you can reasonably connect Nashville with both Chicago and Cleveland by train, certainly a doable drive as well.
Nashville is a popular destination. Tourism is big here, though Nashville has stayed true to its roots while growing to meet the ever-evolving needs of the modern world.
And ultimately, with so many beloved/iconic venues potentially in play, Nashville and Upland seem like a logical match.
