Country singer John Rich, of the duo Big & Rich, has publicly appealed to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to intervene and help save Nashville's live music venues, warning that rising property taxes are forcing historic honky-tonks on Broadway to close. In a video posted to Facebook, Rich said several venues had already shut down in the past week, with more closures expected in the weeks ahead, and cautioned that the loss of live music could deter tourists and damage the city's economy and tax revenue, which funds services such as schools and emergency responders.

Rich explained that increased property valuations set by the Nashville mayor's office have pushed tax bills to unsustainable levels for small business owners. He pointed to the city hosting a Super Bowl in a few years as a stark illustration, warning that only 30 to 40 percent of Broadway's neon signs might still be lit by then. Rich and other business leaders have already met with Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton, who said a special legislative session involving the governor would be needed to address the crisis; both Sexton and State Senator Jack Johnson have agreed to press Lee to call one.