Black country artists have always been an instrumental foundationof the genre, despite little recognition. Now, those pioneers, both past and present, are getting more attention thanks to a new mural in Music City.
Apple Music and the the Nashville-based record pressing plant United Record Pressing have partnered for a new mural in Nashville, titled "This is Country Music." The new collaboration was unveiled on Sept. 14 in honor of Black artists in country and their impact in shaping the genre's history, present and future generations to come.
Painted by Nashville-based artist, graphic designer and muralist Christian "C3" Green, the two-panel mural covers the outside walls of the historic pressing plant, located at 520 Brick Church Park Dr.
"Black
artists have been foundational to country music and this mural aims to highlight their legacy in the very heart of Nashville," Apple Music Country host Kelleigh Bannen said in a statement. "We're proud to team up with United Record Pressing and Christian Green to share a piece of art that honors the past, celebrates the present, and leaves room for the new artists carrying the genre forward."
United Record Pressing is one of the country’s most historically significant record pressing plants. During segregation, it served as an important refuge for Black artists, offering them a place to stay at the Motown Suite free of charge while they recorded in Nashville.
"I am truly honored and excited to team up with Apple Music on a mural that means so much to me," Green said. "It honors country music trailblazers Charley Pride and Linda Martell— two Black pioneers who opened doors for so many country artists of color to follow. My approach has been to capture not just their likeness, but their spirit— the joy, the power, and the grit. This mural means everything to me as a Black artist here in Nashville."
One side of the mural features Martell and Pride, displaying the two country pioneers performing. The other highlights Black country artists, both past and present, who have and continue to shape the genre with their names displayed on a vinyl.
Those names include Ray Charles, Tina Turner, DeFord Bailey, Charley Pride, Mickey Guyton, Willie Jones, Rissi Palmer, Beyoncé, Miko Marks, Shaboozey, Lionel Richie, Darius Rucker, The War and Treaty, Kashus Culpepper, Tiera Kennedy, Kane Brown and more.
Several blank records are intentionally left open as a symbol of future artists whose contributions will continue to define country music. All of the advertising revenue made from the mural will be donated to the renovation and preservation of the Motown Suite.
Follow USA TODAY Network and The Tennessean music reporter Caché McClay on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: New mural celebrates Black artists in country music
