John Rich on Nashville: 5 favorite spots from the Music City insider

Nashville is one of the hottest cities in the country right now. It benefits from an influx of new residents, new businesses and new talent.

Singer-songwriter John Rich enjoyed a front-row seat to the show.

He arrived in Music City shortly after graduating from high school in nearby Dickson, Tennessee, in 1992 – and Rich quickly emerged as one of Music Row’s top talents.

He performed and wrote songs for the hit-making Lonestar, teamed up with Big Kenny to form Big & Rich, one of country music’s most dynamic duos, and today also has a successful solo career all continuing to write hits.

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Rich’s latest song “Progress” zoomed to no. 1 on the Apple iTunes Worldwide Sales Chart in July, following its release on Truth Social and video-sharing site Rumble, according to the New York Post.

Rich wrote no. 1 songs for Jason Alden, Faith Hill and Gretchen Wilson, while working with many of today’s biggest country music stars.

He gave Fox News Digital a rundown of his favorite places to see in and around Nashville.

Gruhn Guitars, 2120 8th Ave. South

The Gruhn Guitars store in Nashville.
(Andrew Woodley/Universal Images Group via Getty Images))

It’s “my favorite instrument store,” Rich told Fox News Digital of Gruhn Guitars.

“They’re considered the #1 vintage instrument store in the United States, and everyone from the Rolling Stones to Ricky Skaggs have bought guitars there,” he said.

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He added, “It’s a time capsule!”

E3 Chophouse, 1628 21st Ave South

Country star John Rich says E3 is his favorite restaurant in Nashville.
(Kerry J. Byrne/Fox News Digital)

“My favorite restaurant right now in Nashville,” said E3 Chophouse’s Rich. “The owners source their beef from their own grass-fed cattle in Kansas.”

Nashville’s dining scene is booming with nearly 20% more diners in 2022 than the pre-pandemic year of 2019.

The multi-level restaurant has an outdoor patio bar and a menu that includes, in addition to steaks, fresh seafood, an exquisite caviar bar – and in an ode to its farm-fresh ingredients – a real honeycomb on his charcuterie platter.

Ryman Auditorium, 116 5th Avenue North

John Rich performs at the 13th Annual Stars for Second Harvest Benefit Party at Ryman Auditorium on June 6, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee.
(Tim Mosenfelder/WireImage)

“It’s always one of my favorite places to see a concert,” said Rich of Ryman Auditorium, the American music landmark in downtown Nashville.

“This is where the Grand Ole Opry began.”

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Perhaps more importantly, Rich added, “I also married my wife on that stage.”

The Grand Ole Opry today is located outside of downtown Nashville.

The Opry and the Ryman are must-sees for visitors to Nashville.

The Outpost Armory, 1132 Beasie Rd, Murfreesboro

“America’s largest gun store,” said Rich of the Outpost Armory, the sprawling gun store and shooting range about 30 minutes southeast of downtown Nashville.

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“It belongs to my friend Ronnie Barrett, who is also the inventor of the famous Barrett .50 caliber sniper rifle.”

Redneck Riviera, 208 Broadway

Redneck Riviera sits on the catbird seat of Nashville’s vibrant nightlife district. Country star John Rich owns the entertainment venue.
(Kerry J. Byrne/Fox News Digital)

“My favorite place to hang out is Nashville’s biggest honky-tonk, The Redneck Riviera!” said the country music star.

Rich may be a little biased: he owns the country music mecca just steps from the Cumberland River in the catbird seat of Lower Broadway, the heart of Music City’s famed live music scene.

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The bar offers three levels of entertainment and many tributes to the United States and its veterans.

Check out the incredible American flag in a beer can behind the second floor bar.