Facials in Franklin, TN

Elvis™ fans from around the world will gather in Middle Tennessee March 21-24, 2024, for the 8th annual Nashville Elvis Festival, celebrating the music and legacy of the King of Rock & Roll. The 4-day festival will welcome back fans to Liberty Hall in The Factory at Franklin, located just south of downtown Nashville in the charming suburb of Franklin, Tennessee. Tickets are on sale now at NashvilleElvisFestival.com.

This year’s festival consists of 10 shows, and 3 late night parties (held at host hotel SpringHill Suites by Marriott Cool Springs), which have become a Nashville tradition. This year’s show highlights include a 50th anniversary recreation of the “Elvis as Recorded on Stage in Memphis, Tennessee” album, career retrospective “The Elvis Story,” fan favorite “Elvis Gospel Live” and much more.

Another highlight of each Nashville Elvis Festival is the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, with the winner moving on to Graceland’s Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Semifinal & Finals in Memphis during Elvis Week each August. 21 contestants have been hand-selected from around the world and invited to compete in Nashville, coming from Japan, England, Chile, Brazil, Norway, Germany and all over the USA.

Nashville Elvis Festival features special guests and 30 of the best Elvis tribute artists from all over the world. Headliners scheduled to appear include Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist world champions COTE DEONATH (2023), BEN THOMPSON (2018), DEAN Z (2013) and BILL CHERRY (2009); Reigning Nashville Elvis Festival champion and “Million Dollar Quartet” star RILEY JENKINS; and award-winning Elvis tribute artists MICHAEL CULLIPHER, ALEX MITCHELL and JEFF LEWIS. Special guests confirmed to appear include the ULTIMATE JOHNNY & JUNE TRIBUTE; Current GRAMMY nominee and Elvis Presley’s favorite Gospel group, THE BLACKWOOD BROTHERS QUARTET; 80’s pop icon and multi-platinum chart-topping recording artist TIFFANY; Country artist JILLIAN CARDARELLI and more. Backing all live performances will be the incomparable INFINIT-E TRIBUTE BAND, giving the feeling and excitement of being at an actual Elvis concert.

Special and surprise guests in past years include the iconic WYNONNA JUDD, actor & musician JOHN SCHNEIDER, Elvis’ best friend and “Memphis Mafia” member JERRY SCHILLING, TV/Radio legend WINK MARTINDALE, Elvis’ girlfriend SANDY MARTINDALE, Elvis bodyguard and friend SAM THOMPSON, Country music icon BRENDA LEE, Country music legend COLLIN RAYE, Country chart-topper T.G. SHEPPARD, Elvis’ drummer D.J. FONTANA, Elvis’ “Speedway” co-star VICTORIA PAIGE MEYERINK, Broadway & Hallmark star LAURA OSNES, Elvis’ tour mates BILL BAIZE, LARRY STRICKLAND, DONNIE SUMNER, TERRY BLACKWOOD and ARMOND MORALES, Gospel legend JOANNE CASH, Elvis’ producer and musician NORBERT PUTNAM, and many more.

Nashville Elvis Festival is hosted by TOM BROWN, host of “Tom Brown in the Morning” on Tupelo’s Sunny 93.3 and the former Vice President of Original Production for Turner Classic Movies (TCM). Elvis fans will recognize Brown as a longtime host of Elvis events nationwide, including select Graceland events and the “Gates of Graceland” web series.

Nashville Elvis Festival is produced by Brian Mayes & Tom Brown.

For festival passes, individual show tickets, or more information, please visit the official website at www.NashvilleElvisFestival.com.

Tennessee ranked as one of the top ten most popular states for people seeking to move in 2023, according to moveBuddha, a website that provides resources to people attempting to move.

They used their data to determine this year's moving trends, which saw a continuation of people leaving densely populated areas at twice the rate they did before 2020.

"That trend continued throughout the pandemic, as newly-remote workers found they could work from smaller cities in their new jobs and take advantage of affordable homes and nearby nature," Ryan Carrigan, moveBuddha's cofounder, wrote. "At the same time, early retirees called it quits. As a result, the balmy Southeastern states and mountain west swelled with newcomers, who came out in droves."

Franklin, Tennessee, also ranked as one of the top ten cities with the highest number of people seeking to move there. South Carolina was the top state for people to move to, and California was the top state for people seeking to leave.

Here are all of the most popular cities and states people want to move into and out of in 2023.

Top states people want to move to in 2023

Top states where people want to move out of in 2023

Top cities that people wanted to move to in 2023

Cities people wanted to move out of in 2023?

How many people were moving into Tennessee during the pandemic?

Tennessee has continued to draw interest from people seeking a change of scenery since the pandemic. That interest peaked in 2021 according to moveBuddha's data and while it has gone down since then, it remains higher than most other states in the country.

Tennessee's state population in 2022 rose to about 7.05 million, up from 6.911 million in 2021, according to Census estimates. Comparatively, California's state population went down in 2022 from 39.538 million people in 2001 to 39.03 million. New York's state population also went down in 2022 to 19.677 million from 20.201 million in 2020.

Look out Nashville:More people from Chicago, New York and Los Angeles are coming

How were the measurements done?

The data for this comes from the number of people using moveBuddha's moving cost calculator. The calculator allows people to calculate how much a move would cost from one location to another. They analyzed the number of people searching for a new state or city to move into and the searches for people seeking to move out to see which cities are earning more residents by moves in compared to losing them via moves out.

Jordan Green covers trending news for The USA Today Network. She can be reached via email at Jordan.Green@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter/X @_green_jordan_

What do Miley Cyrus, Brad Paisley, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Justin Timberlake, Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, and Dolly Parton have in common? Apart from the obvious musical talent and superstardom, you might guess they all live in Nashville – at least part of the time.

But you’d be a few miles off from the reported home of these and many other country music superstars. They actually find themselves — now or at least recently — living in and around Williamson County, just south of Nashville.

From Franklin to Brentwood and Leipers Fork, the smaller towns with quaint Hallmark-esque downtowns and live music on every corner have long been a slight respite for the celebrities and musicians of Nashville. And visitors are following suit. While Nashville is a lively and increasingly urban city with a honky-tonk edge, Franklin and its neighbors are eclectic, friendly, luxurious, and definitely worth a visit.

I spent a long weekend recently based in Franklin – just over 20 miles from Nashville – and here are my recommendations.

WHERE TO STAY:

When visiting Franklin, there is no better place to stay than The Harpeth Hotel. Situated just a block off Main Street and within walking distance of nearly everything in town, it is a gem in the heart of the city. From check-in to check-out, I was blown away by the level of service from everyone at The Harpeth. My room was stylish and clean, with a large, beautiful balcony overlooking the city.

The hotel bar at The Harpeth was lively each night, with several areas to enjoy a cocktail, and the courtyard was unique and beautiful – the perfect spot for events or catching up with friends. I especially loved the library room off the bar, where I enjoyed a nightcap and local tomes. The intentionality is evident in this space, with local touches and nods to history.

The Harpeth boasts 119 pet-friendly guest rooms and suites luxuriously appointed with Frette robes, slippers, flexible workspaces, and turndown service. Be sure to taste some whiskey during your stay – the hotel has over 110 small-batch offerings.

WHERE TO EAT:

The on-site fine dining restaurant at the Harpeth Hotel, 1799 Kitchen and Cocktails, was a surprising favorite of mine during this trip. It was much more a local haunt than a hotel lobby restaurant; the vibes were dark and moody, with intentional touches. I sat at a semi-private table with curtains that could be drawn to enjoy the perfectly prepared Bison Strip Steak. The dining room is designed circularly to evoke a whiskey barrel, with a carpet that mirrors a rock glass. The restaurant is known for its extensive whiskey list, offering over 110 small-batch and single-barrel spirits from all over the world.

I started each morning in Franklin at McGavock’s Coffee & Provisions, a sleek coffee shop and restaurant in The Harpeth downtown. The vibe was always electric, with a full house of primarily locals (the biggest green flag in a coffee house) enjoying coffee with friends or working in the bright space. The lavender honey latte was perfect, the staff was the sort of Southern friendly that brings a smile to even the most curmudgeonly patron’s face, and the avocado toast was somehow different than any I’ve had prior.

A staple in downtown Franklin since 2013, Gray’s On Main serves elevated Southern fare in a historic building that housed Gray Drug Co. for nearly a century. The second-floor bar and music hall is a popular spot for live music and a bar celebrating Tennessee brandy culture with epicurean cocktails. I fully leaned into the Southern hospitality during my late dinner visit, starting with Crispy Pimento Cheese with Moonshine Pepper Jelly and followed by Heritage Buttermilk Fried Chicken with garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, and a bourbon mustard pan sauce that was to die for.

It wouldn’t be a visit to the Nashville area without a stop for a meal at Puckett’s. What started as a grocery in nearby Leiper’s Fork in the 1950s has evolved throughout the year to a thriving Southern restaurant and live music venue with six locations. Known for Southern staples like the meat and three, Puckett’s brings the atmosphere and Southern charm to any meal. I stopped by the Franklin location, just off Main St., for breakfast at the bar, filling up on Bubba’s Egg Benedict, a split biscuit topped with bacon or sausage, two fried eggs, and white pepper gravy on a bed of home fries.

WHERE TO DRINK:

Visitors may be surprised that Nashville has a “wine country,” but according to the massive popularity of Arrington Vineyards just outside town, not only does it exist – it’s thriving. The vineyard, which opened in 2007, is partially owned by Kix Brooks of Brooks and Dunn (you’ll quickly find that many establishments in the Franklin area are owned at least in part by famous musicians) and is always full of locals and visitors alike. The 95-acre property (including 16 acres of vineyards) is bucolic, with rolling hills, a grand barn, a pavilion, and picnic tables. Guests can bring in a picnic and spend a day enjoying the wines, views, and often live music on the premises.

I bought myself a bottle of rose on this trip, enjoying the peaceful weekday vibes before Ubering back to Franklin.

If you visit Tennessee but don’t visit a distillery, were you really even there? It is a question for the ages and one I, fortunately, will never know the answer to. When in the Nashville or Franklin areas, there is one distillery that is a must-visit: Leiper’s Fork Distillery. The distillery is known for producing high-quality, small-batch whiskies using age-old traditions and local ingredients. I enjoyed a whiskey cocktail in the ample outdoor space where there is often live music.

Next time, I’ll opt for the tour. I recommend you do the same.

When I walked into Stable Reserve, the sleek coffee shop/distillery on Main Street in downtown Franklin, well before noon and asked if it was “too early for a tasting,” I was met with kind Southern laughter and a chorus of “of course not” that sold me on the place before taking a sip. Luckily, the drinks were also impressive. The local family-owned and operated distillery, set in an original livery stable, recently opened but feels like it’s been there for years. The crowd was lively, the staff was attentive and friendly, and the spirits were smooth.

I especially loved the Stable Reserve Gin and Stable Reserve Coffee Cream Liqueur.

While exploring the arts community of Leiper’s Fork, I was pleasantly surprised to find Wines In The Fork, a rustic tasting room on Leiper’s Creek. An outpost of Farmstead Roots, a local, sustainable farm, award-winning wine producer, and market, the Leiper’s Fork location is chock full of charm – and delicious wine. I opted for a tasting in the tasting room (although creekside wine tastings are available, along with the enormously popular Creek Dinner Series in the summer) and was impressed with each wine I tasted.

I especially enjoyed the Farmstead Sparkling and Farmstead Honeysuckle Vine.

I was visiting Franklin during the soft opening of Amendment 18 Cocktail Club, a cocktail bar and speakeasy located downtown – so, of course, I had to check it out. Visitors enter the bar through the back entrance of a pizza place, flipping a hidden light switch to alert the hostesses of their arrival. The decor was perfect for the prohibition-era vibes, the drink was tasty, and the service was top-notch – even on its first night.

I’ll be interested to visit again once word has gotten out.

WHERE TO EXPLORE AND SEE LIVE MUSIC:

Main Street in downtown Franklin is not just quaint and charming but also bustling. The street, designated as a “Great American Main Street” and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was full of people whenever I ventured out. With nearly all shops independently owned and operated, with every type of customer finding something for them, it is a place where you could spend an entire day. I recommend stopping at The Green Room for earth-friendly and sustainable gifts, Citizen for high-end sneakers and elevated clothing, and Rooted from Yarrow Acres – the plant shop of my dreams – before grabbing an espresso martini at Stable Reserve.

The village of Leiper’s Fork has a population of just 650 people, but its influence on music is of legends. With plenty of artists getting their start at open mic nights in the city, recording studios dotting the landscape, and the famous Lawnchair Theater – it is an unexpected cultural hub. Visit the upscale art galleries, shops, restaurants, and winery on the creek – and keep your eyes peeled for the country music stars who call this tiny town home.

The original Puckett’s Grocery in Leipers Fork is the location of the legendary Fox and Locke restaurant and music venue. The enormously popular spot for locals and visitors alike, it’s known for its Southern comfort food, live music, and open-mic nights. Many successful artists will hop on the stage at Fox and Locke, including Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, and Carrie Underwood – who surprised patrons with an unscheduled performance during a visit.

Located in a former stove factory, The Factory at Franklin has been renovated and reimagined to house multiple restaurants, shops, bars, a theater, event space, and art galleries. The one-stop shop is a great place to try something new and local during your trip to Franklin.

On an early Friday evening, you’ll find families and couples swarming the traffic circle on Main Street in Downtown Franklin, heading to dinner at Gray’s, 55 South, or Culaccino. But to find Franklin’s newest bar, you’ll need to walk past those leisurely crowds toward the historic Williamson County Chancery Court Clerk house and turn right behind Mellow Mushroom’s patio seating into a back alley. That’s where the Amendment XVIII adventure begins.

Dean Marsh, co-owner of Amendment XVIII, along with Steve Barone, launched the bar in nearby Westhaven, a mixed-use residential neighborhood off Highway 96. But he eventually realized that they would need to move the location if growth was in the cards. “We wanted to be surrounded by more restaurants and bars,” he says.

Now situated at 317 Main Street, patrons will need to enter through the back alley door of Mellow Mushroom and locate a gray electrical box on the wall. Inside the box: a “Frankenstein switch” — after a quick pull, a green light bulb turns on alerting staff to guests at the entrance to the bar.

Once inside, the bar will feel like a throwback to Prohibition-era speakeasies: a back lounge with tables made from red boxelder trees and wooden pews from the Grand Ole Opry; a stamped tin roof; vintage mirrors from a consignment shop in Nashville; framed black-and-white photos taken in Franklin and Nashville during Prohibition; and a large wooden island in the middle of the space repurposed from a 200-year-old Amish barn.

The cocktail program here, headed up by bar manager Hunter Thammavongsa, features 17 drinks, each a twist on a classic cocktail. Take the Volstead, a riff on the Old-Fashioned using four different rums, rye, sherry, housemade coconut bitters, and mole bitters. But Thammaavongsa also pulled inspiration from his cultural background when imagining the menu, as seen in the lemongrass, lychee, and jasmine tea in the Impassioned Sanctuary. “My dad was an immigrant from Southeast Asia. I’m proud to honor the herbs and ingredients from that region and use them in an elevated, beautiful way,” says Thammavongsa.

Ultimately, Thammavongsa’s vision for Amendment XVIII is to introduce people to cocktails in the hopes of keeping the industry he loves alive. “If [cocktail culture] stops with older generations, then it dies. I want people to become comfortable with spirits,” says Thamavongsa. “We want to [serve] cocktails that are memory makers for people.”

Accompanying the drinks is a roster of unfussy small plates and dishes that veer into the realm of comfort food. Four different kinds of sliders (classic, hot chicken, beef barbecue, fried chicken and ranch), gouda mac and cheese bites, and a cheese and charcuterie board round out the food offerings along with a bourbon pecan pie from neighboring Merridee’s that can only be found at Amendment XVIII and one other location in Nashville.

Guests can take their patronage to the next level with membership in the Locker Club. Although the $50 monthly membership deal is currently sold out, there are still a handful of spots available for the $300 a month VIP membership which includes a locker for storing up to three bottles, a special Amendment XVIII app that grants the member immediate access to the door, reservations for up to two persons three hours in advance, and free admission to monthly tastings.

The bar’s later hours are also helping to fill a gap in Downtown Franklin’s dining and entertainment scene. “We’re good friends with the local establishments here — Red Pony, Cork and Cow, Culaccino — what’s happening is they’re sending their dinner guests here because we’re open late,” says Marsh. “A lot of the people that work at these establishments end up at our bar after work, too.” But Marsh notes that they’re also eyeing two more locations for Amendment XVIII in the near future.

Amendment XVIII is open Tuesday to Thursday from 4 p.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Sundays from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Gabrielle Hanson fails to denounce white supremacist hate group Tennessee Active Club, whose members appeared at forum

A candidate running for mayor in Franklin, Tennessee, has been accused by the members of the city council of refusing to condemn “actual, literal Nazis”.

Gabrielle Hanson was at a candidates’ forum on 2 October when she received a visit by members of the Tennessee Active Club, a hate group known for promoting white nationalism. Members of the council, referred to as aldermen in Franklin, rebuked Hanson for enabling such hate groups, according to local news station WTVF.

“I’m not going to denounce anybody their right to be whatever it is they want to be – whether I agree with what they do in their personal life or not,” Hanson said in response to her critics.

Hanson told her colleagues “you reap what you sow”, in reference to the divisions within the community. She also noted that these were “spiritual repercussions”.

On social media, Hanson emphasized that she did not invite the group to the debate and is “categorically” not a Nazi, nor does she support nazism.

Brad Lewis, a leader of the Tennessee Active Club, said was at Hanson’s request that their group showed up in her support.

Alderman Matt Brown said during Tuesday’s forum: “To be silent is to be complicit. To not take action is to allow this behavior to root. We cannot allow this kind of hate to take hold in Franklin or else we have lost everything.”

Brown also called for a vote to censure Hanson.

Joining Brown, Alderman Beverly Burger asked Hanson: “Is it your mission to divide our city? Because you’re doing a bang-up job of it right now.”

Another member, Brandy Blanton, called the spectacle involving Hanson “embarrassing” for Franklin.

“To end up on HBO, to end up on MSNBC, and not for the good stuff – and it’s all traced down to one source,” she said.

Speaking directly to her colleagues, Hanson said the Tennessee Active Club showed up because they are an “anti-antifa” group, and “the dark web is showing massive antifa activity”.

Blanton said she supported the suggestion to censure Hanson.

A joint statement released by the council said: “We, the board of mayor and aldermen, are deeply concerned and disturbed by the events that unfolded at Monday night’s candidate forum for the upcoming city election. Individuals identifying as neo-Nazis and self-admitted supporters of Gabrielle Hanson threatened our citizens and members of the media during and after this important civic event.

“Our city has always prided itself on fostering a welcoming environment for all residents. We firmly believe that our city’s strength and success is built upon the contributions of a diverse citizenry made up of people from all walks of life, backgrounds and beliefs.

“We will not tolerate any form of hatred, intimidation or violence directed at our residents, media representatives or anyone else attending or participating in the democratic process.”