Jackson boasts a vibrant local music scene that bridges Nashville’s Lower Broadway and Memphis’s Beale Street, from country honky-tonks to blues clubs on Beale. Home to iconic residents like rock ‘n’ roll queen Tina Turner and soul singer Lolo, among many others, Jackson provides numerous great musical experiences.
Rock’n Dough
Jackson lies approximately halfway between Memphis and Nashville. With musical greats such as Tina Turner, Eddy Arnold and Isaac Tigrett as country crooners and legendary train engineer Casey Jones making stops here over their careers, Jackson boasts an extensive musical heritage. Additionally it is home to an ever-expanding number of restaurants and bars renowned for pizza and craft beer offerings.
Rock’n Dough, an award-winning pizza restaurant from Memphis that recently expanded to Jackson Walk Plaza, recently joined this list. Serving traditional Rock’n Dough fare such as pizzas, wings, burgers and salads as well as exclusive Rock’n Dough beers on tap that give the restaurant its signature “taproom vibe,” says owner Jerry Corley.
Hub City Brewing produces the Rock’n Dough varieties offered at Rock’n Dough restaurants located throughout Tennessee. Jackson features its own bar area with eight taps for guests to order beer by glass or pitcher.
Rock’n Dough is known for offering more than pizza and beer; it also hosts live musical performances daily by local musicians playing everything from folk and gospel music to classic country and hosting its AMP Concert Series, which brings in top performers from West Tennessee.
Rock’n Dough’s focus on scratch-made food and dedication to detail can be seen across its menu, from its signature pizzas to a salad featuring fresh ricotta and cilantro. House-smoked chicken thighs and pork butts add depth to its Smoker’s Pie while home-crafted simple syrups (honey oregano! orange green chili!) drive its cocktail list.
Jackson Rock’n Dough stays true to its roots by featuring a microbrewery in a renovated part of its building, featuring six rotating taps open to the public and serving handcrafted cocktails as well as locally produced beer. Furthermore, guests can enjoy live music from local artists both during daytime bar service as well as during their AMP concert series concert series in the evening.
Legends of Tennessee Music Museum
No matter your taste in music – be it country, rock or blues – Legends of Tennessee Music Museum in Jackson offers unique memorabilia for every music enthusiast. Celebrating West Tennessee’s musical heritage and world-famous musicians’ instruments owned by iconic musicians alike – Legends of Tennessee Music Museum offers something special to any music fanatic!
The Legends of Tennessee Music Museum can be found inside Jackson, TN’s Carnegie building and boasts over 500 artifacts that honor local and current musician history as well as legends such as those represented by Nashville A-Team, Wrecking Crew and Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section members. It also honors these talented individuals by honoring them along with other musical groups like these in its exhibits that tell their tales – sure to appeal to both children and adults.
Visit Carnegie Legends of Tennessee Music Museum is an absolute must for music enthusiasts. Boasting an extensive collection of memorabilia from music legends, including guitars and photos as well as early career memorabilia for many famous musicians, this museum also serves as home for Rusty’s TV & Movie Car Museum that showcases cars seen both on screen and behind closed doors.
Jackson is famous for its railway culture, yet also holds strong connections to popular music. Tina Turner made Jackson her home, often credited with helping launch rock and roll; its museum houses her costumes along with other interesting artifacts related to her career.
Jackson offers many attractions for visitors, with Casey Jones Complex being an outstanding example. Home to both a locomotive and museum dedicated to railroad culture, as well as an amazing theater where major acts such as The Temptations and Alison Krauss have performed, this complex provides visitors with an excellent way to learn about Jackson music and culture as well as providing families with a pleasant place for an afternoon or evening stroll.
AMP Concert Series
The AMP Concert Series is a weekly summer music series in Jackson that showcases genres including rock, pop, country bluegrass and comedy. Open to the public and free for attendance, this open-air venue encourages families to bring blankets or lawn chairs as there are food concessions at these concerts – thanks to funding from Levitt Foundation which has funded over 650 Levitt AMP series throughout the U.S.
Janet Jackson will embark on her 2023 Rhythm Nation World Tour this spring at Milwaukee’s American Family Insurance Amphitheater with a concert. This tour will focus on two critically acclaimed albums: 1993’s janet and 1997’s Velvet Rope; rapper Ludacris will join Janet onstage during this performance.
Visit the AMP Concert Series’s website for more information, and sign up for their email list to be among the first to hear of upcoming shows and presale offers.
Breweries
Midway between Nashville’s honky tonks and Memphis’ blues clubs, Jackson offers a vibrant music scene. Celebrating generations-long history through Jackson Hidden Tracks initiative. A calendar full of upcoming events.
Hub City Brewing in Jackson serves both as a venue and brewery, recently hosting a free concert by local singer LOLO to raise funds for RIFA’s Snack Backpack program that feeds food insecure children on weekends and breaks.
Jackson offers many locally owned shops that feature the goods of Jackson residents, such as Garner Blue’s hand-dyed indigo textiles and Wisdom House’s candles and decor. Boutiques like Felecia Bella and Mam’selle provide great souvenir opportunities, while Jackson musicians also try their best to show support at concerts they host here.