(January 18, 2008)--Nashville already has one of the busiest airports in the country for live music.
This month, it'll liven up even more with the opening of Tootsie's.
The new live-music venue in the airport terminal is an offshoot of Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, the fabled Music Row honky tonk where Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson once swapped songs and cold beers.
No one knows for certain, but Nashville International Airport and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas probably have more live music than any other airport in the country.
So says the trade group Airports Council International.
The cities share a rich musical heritage. Nashville's reputation as the capital of country music goes back to the start of the Grand Ole Opry in the 1920s.
Austin's thriving independent music scene grew from country roots in the '70s and is celebrated by thousands of music industry representatives and fans who flock to the annual South By Southwest Festival.
Other airports have live music on a more limited basis.
During the holidays, Boston Logan International and Vancouver International have professional performers and local school choirs.
Lambert-St. Louis International has musicians playing a few times a week.
Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International in Florida has live entertainment during the fall and winter months.