Surprise concerts, massive tour stops, Dolly Parton: Nashville's biggest moments of 2023

The Nashville entertainment scene is never at a loss for defining moments, but 2023 served up some curveballs as well as a few hard-earned home runs. From Old Hickory's own Nate Bargatze hosting "Saturday Night Live," country music queen Dolly Parton releasing a chart-topping rock record or TIME Person of the Year Taylor Swift singing after a torrential late-night downpour at Nissan Stadium, 2023 was a memorable year for music and entertainment in Nashville.

Here's a recap of the defining moments:

March 3: Morgan Wallen plays a free, surprise concert at Bridgestone Arena

24 hours before the release of his third studio album "One Day At A Time," 30-year-old country and pop mega-star Morgan Wallen announced he'd celebrate the drop of the 36-track mega-project in a most unprecedented manner: "I'm gonna do acoustic… everyone's asking me why I'm not doing a Tennessee show. I'm doing one now. Friday, 3/3. See you there," Wallen shared with fans.

The call to head down to the arena to claim their free tickets created a line to wrap around the block at Bridgestone Arena — twice. Tickets for the show were gone in three hours. As for the concert itself? He "[came off] to his fans as a scrappy everyman," noted a Tennessean concert review.

Remarkable: Morgan Wallen plays free concert in Nashville, praises 'truly remarkable' fans

Big wins: Morgan Wallen, Taylor Swift achieve unprecedented wins at 2023 Billboard Music Awards

March 20: Love Rising Benefit Concert at Bridgestone Arena

Three weeks after Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed into law a pair of Tennessee bills banning gender-affirming health care and "adult-oriented" entertainment — including "male and female impersonators" — from public property, Allison Russell and Jason Isbell led the way in putting on a benefit show at Bridgestone. Love Rising featured a festival-sized lineup that included Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Hayley Williams, Sheryl Crow, Hozier and more than a dozen other Nashville-tied artists.

"We just thought, how can we form a circle of love and support and care and put money back into the community and the organizations that need it to continue this fight that we're engaged in," Russell told The Tennessean about the event that raised over $500,000 for the Tennessee Equality Project, inclusion Tennessee, OUTMemphis and the Tennessee Pride Chamber.

Backstory: 'Love Rising': How a group of Nashville artists pulled together an arena-sized LGBTQ rally in days

Half a mil: 'Love Rising' concert raises more than $500,000

April 3: Tanya Tucker rides a stallion to Broadway to celebrate Country Music Hall of Fame induction announcement

The "Sweet Western Sound" Nashvillians heard when beloved outlaw country star Tanya Tucker celebrated the announcement of her joining Patty Loveless and songwriter Bob McDill as 2023 Country Music Hall of Famers was not from her latest album. Rather, it was from Lauwe the Magnificent, a world-champion black stallion that the "Delta Dawn" vocalist rode three blocks from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to the intersection of 5th and Broadway next to the Bridgestone Arena.

Two months later, Tucker, on the Grand Ole Opry's stage, again appeared astride Lauwe. In regards to numerous crowd's stunned response to Tucker's outlandish celebrations, she shyly demurred, winked and told The Tennessean: "God's sprinkling magic dust on these people or something, right?"

Horsing around: Why was Tanya Tucker riding a black stallion on Nashville's Lower Broadway?

April 4: Country music musical 'Shucked' opens at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre

Nashville-based songwriters Shane McAnally and Brandy Clark brought a little bit of the South to New York City's Great White Way with the opening of "Shucked" on Broadway. The music and lyrics for the musical comedy about — you guessed it: corn — was written entirely by Clark and McAnally. It was an endeavor 10 years in the making and the first Broadway score out of Nashville.

"Shucked," went on to win a Tony Award and the hearts of many who saw it. "Vulture" writer Rebecca Alter wrote, “’Shucked’ is a show about corn. And at a time when New York theatergoers shell out for Sondheim revivals, jukebox musicals, and celebrity casting, ‘Shucked’ may be the most surprising viral hit in recent Broadway history.”

While "Shucked" will close its Broadway run in early 2024, it will embark on a national tour stopping in more than 30 cities next year, including Nashville.

Backstory: The secret to these Nashville songwriters' Broadway hit: It's corn

April 4: After winning a Grammy, Tennessee State University's Aristocrat of Bands makes Grand Ole Opry debut

Historically Black college Tennessee State University has the first HBCU band to appear on national television, perform at a presidential inaugural parade and on the White House lawn. To celebrate their 2023 Best Roots Gospel Award Grammy win, TSU's Aristocrat of Bands debuted -- in suits and boots, plus drum majors and the Sophisticated Ladies dancers -- at the Grand Ole Opry.

"The TSU band now represents how this music, our music, on multiple levels, thrives in every setting," stated Larry Jenkins, the band's assistant director, to The Tennessean. "HBCU band culture is vital to American music. This culture reaching avenues beyond football fields and a limited number of genres and stages is always important."

Grammy goals: 'They sounded like legends': TSU's Aristocrat of Bands aims for Grammy with gospel album

April 15 and Oct. 28: Nate Bargatze sells out Bridgestone Arena, then hosts 'SNL'

Nate Bargatze has been honing and refining his comedy chops the bulk of his adult life. But 2023 has been a breakout year for the Old Hickory-born Bargatze.

After breaking attendance records at Bridgestone Arena in April (and joking about stealing a seat so that nobody else could beat his record) Bargatze hosed 'Saturday Night Live', has Amazon Prime's most-streamed original comedy special with his "Hello World" stand-up and he's embarked on his current "The Be Funny Tour" that is canvassing the country into 2024.

Backstory: Nate Bargatze: Comedy's newest superstar hails from Old Hickory

Bargatze on 'SNL': Nashville's Nate Bargatze gets help from surprise guests on 'Saturday Night Live'

May 8: Taylor Swift performs at a sold-out, rain-soaked Nissan Stadium

Swifties of all stripes -- including Megan Moroney, yes, she of ACM New Female Artist of the Year nominee and chart-topper "Tennessee Orange" fame — were "spiritually transformed" by singing along to Taylor Swift's decade-old single "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" in a torrential downpour early on May 8 during the 2023 TIME Person of the Year's final of three performances at Nashville's Nissan Stadium.

A Tennessean review of the concert highlighted that fans sheltered in place for nearly four hours due to severe weather. Swift kicked off her 45-song set after 10 p.m., performing past 1 a.m.

"There is one element to the stadium tour that you absolutely cannot plan on, and that is the weather," Swift said. "The fact that we had chaotic weather and you decided — all of you — to stay here to count on the fact that we were gonna play this show for you no matter what, that means the world to me and everyone on this tour."

A closer look: What we saw during Taylor Swift's Nashville concert

Review: Taylor Swift in Nashville: Storms, surprises and more from her 'Eras' concerts

June 8-11: CMA Fest

Nearly 100,000 die-hard country music fanatics descended upon Nashville's Lower Broadway for four days of the genre's best at its modern pop cultural zenith.

Over four days, numerous moments highlighted how often awkward and ridiculous but also unquestionably heartfelt country music can be. However, performers also excelled at simplifying emotions and thoughts into notions best understood via three chords and the truth.

The weekend's most truthful moment? Rapper-turned-country star Jelly Roll making his CMA Fest debut on an elevated spot-lit stage on Nissan Stadium's 50-yard-line. This occurred 14 years after being released from jails and prisons like the juvenile jail adjacent to Nissan Stadium's Parking Lot A.

Records set: CMA Fest sets records for Nissan Stadium attendance as 4-day festival showcases country music

Top 5: Lainey Wilson was everywhere at CMA Fest. See our top 5 moments from the country star

July 15: Beyoncé's Energy/Break My Soul Renaissance World Tour at Nissan Stadium

Queen Bey not only brought her massive three-hour-long "Renaissance" tour to Nashville's Nissan Stadium, but the show came through town right as the state of Tennessee was hotly debating several LGBTQ+ issues ranging from gender-affirming healthcare to adult-oriented entertainment, which by definition includes "male and female impersonators."

Her album "Renaissance" was dedicated to her house music-adoring gay Uncle Johnny and the tour of the same name drew a large representation from the LGBTQ+ community. While she didn't address any of the previously mentioned issues onstage, she did bring a colorful statement to Nashville.

If you were looking for the one time in Music City's 2023 where more fans at Nissan Stadium knew every word to the raps in Madonna's "Vogue" or Megan Thee Stallion's "Savage" or the chorus to Frankie Beverly and Maze's R&B classic "Before I Let You Go" than to Old Crow Medicine Show's "Wagon Wheel," this was that event.

The crowd's joy at the event reached an "ecstatic apotheosis," according to The Tennessean's review of the event.

Review: Five ways Beyoncé reimagined her icon status at Nissan Stadium

Bey in Nashville: How Beyoncé show may be powerful queer celebration in face of Tennessee's anti-LGBTQ+ laws

Nov. 3: Sheryl Crow inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Nashvillian of 20 years, Sheryl Crow, known for her many hits including "Every Day is a Winding Road" and "All I Wanna Do," earned herself a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023 alongside the great Willie Nelson.

But Crow isn't ready to just be known for her past successes. In November, Crow teased the release of "Evolution," her 11th full-length studio album set to be released in March of 2024. The nine-time Grammy winner debuted the album's first single, "Alarm Clock" during a recent appearance on NBC's "Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."

New class: Sheryl Crow and Willie Nelson are headed to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Surprise!: Sheryl Crow announces 'Evolution,' a surprise new album release for 2024

Nov. 8: 2023 Country Music Association Awards

There were two artists that dominated this year's CMA Awards and both of them were unexpected and at the same time, welcomed. Lainey Wilson, who took home five trophies, also was named the coveted Entertainer of the Year. The first time a female has earned that title since a young Taylor Swift won it in 2011.

The other name of the night was Jelly Roll. Nashville-born Jelly also took home five awards including Male Vocalist and New Artist of the Year, but won the hearts of many viewers with his acceptance speeches.

"There's a tale of two Nashvilles happening right now," he said after being named best new artist. "I represent both Music Row, which has embraced me so lovingly, but also my local community that raised me."

Also notable from this year's CMAs was Tracy Chapman's first ever win by a Black female for Luke Combs' cover of her hit "Fast Car," which took home Song of the Year.

Recap: 2023 CMA Awards: Lainey Wilson scores big, Jelly Roll breaks out among five unforgettable moments.

More Jelly: Jelly Roll discusses Grammy noms, CMA Awards and feeling 'seen, accepted and respected'

Nov. 17: Dolly Parton releases 'Rockstar'

When music legend Dolly Parton was told she was being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, she initially wanted to decline the invitation, arguing she didn't deserve that honor because she doesn't play rock music. But instead of backing down, she did a very Dolly thing: She decided to make a rock record to earn her spot in the hall.

Called simply "Rockstar," Parton solicited help from the likes of Joan Jett, Stevie Nicks, Steven Tyler, Rob Halford and Debbie Harry to name a few. The result is a 30-song collection of nine original songs and her take on 21 rock songs, many featuring the original or guest artists.

The album would go on to top six of the Billboard charts at the end of November including Top Album Sales, Top Current Album Sales and Independent Albums charts. The record also topped Billboard's Top Rock Albums, Top Rock & Alternative Albums and Top Country Albums charts.

Chart-topper: Dolly Parton's 'Rockstar' tops 6 different Billboard album charts

Rock & Roll love letters: Dolly Parton cemented her 'Rockstar' legacy one love letter at a time

Dec. 4: 65 years after its release, Brenda Lee's 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' tops Billboard's Hot 100 chart

Do you remember what you were doing at age 13? Brenda Lee certainly does because 65 years later, the little song she recorded as a newly minted teenager, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" became a No. 1 hit atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The achievement broke several records — many of which were held by Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You," which Lee beat out for the top spot the first week in December. With that chart topper, Lee became the oldest person to hold that position; a record previously held by Louis Armstrong. "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" is only the third holiday No. 1 ever on the Hot 100 chart."

Number One: Brenda Lee's 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree' tops Billboard's Hot 100 chart

Backstory: Brenda Lee on how 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' defines her career's legacy

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen and Dolly Parton took the crown in 2023