Episode
Californians, Old Nashville, and the Death of Class :: Ep 38 Circling The Drain Podcast
- Podcast
- Circling The Drain
- Published
- May 13, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3036
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://share.transistor.fm/s/2c20d820
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Summary
Johnny B, Jay Harper, and Jim McCarthy dive into how Nashville and Middle Tennessee have changed under the wave of California and out-of-state transplants. From McMansions and roaming dogs to the death of “old” Music Row, they unpack what’s been gained, what’s been lost, and why some newcomers bring their problems with them. They also hit on the impact of the Telecommunications Act on radio, the shift in the music and movie industries, old money vs new money, the immigrant work ethic, and how social media turned everyone into a political pundit. If you love Nashville, radio, music history, and a good rant about culture, money, and manners, this one’s for you. Timed Highlights: 01:17 California and LA “refugees” landing in Tennessee 03:20 From farmland to McMansions: Johnny’s neighborhood transforms 05:13 “The Duttons” move in: roaming dogs, dune buggies, and entitlement 08:05 No-income-tax migration: Texas, Florida, Tennessee and beyond 10:11 Wichita, Montana, Idaho and the new playgrounds for the wealthy 13:13 Voiceover, LA unions, and movie work leaving California 15:27 How unions strangled opportunity in Hollywood 15:53 Remembering “old Nashville” and Music Row’s golden era 17:32 Urban Cowboy, arenas, Predators, Titans and a new city identity 19:02 When Elvis played Murfreesboro and Nashville had no big venue 19:36 The 2010 flood and Nashville’s turning point 21:00 Insurance, healthcare and the real business of Nashville 23:02 “Bringing California food” to Tennessee and why it failed 24:39 Sticker shock: $26 California pizza in Vegas 25:22 Tiny portions, big prices and Southern “meat and three” culture 27:18 Sylvan Park, Monell’s and eating with total strangers 28:55 Nashville gets cosmopolitan – real restaurants arrive 29:18 Bell Meade money, radio paychecks and br…