THE FIRST NOTE

A Concert Series by the National Museum of African American Music

 Friday, May 15, 2026 | 8:00 PM 10:00 PM

NMAAM Lobby, 510 Broadway, Nashville, TN 

Some artists are waiting to be discovered. The First Note is where that moment happens.

The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) proudly presents The First Note — a groundbreaking concert series born from a simple but radical belief: that emerging artists deserve more than a stage. They deserve a platform.

The First Note is a love letter to the next generation of music makers. This isn't just a show — it's a movement. One that pairs rising talent with fair market compensation, world-class production, and direct access to one of the most visited cultural institutions in the country.

Beginning May 15th, NMAAM's intimate 200-seat Roots Theatre becomes the epicenter of something new. Night after night, artists who are just writing their first chapters will share space with fans who feel it, industry executives who need to hear it, and a community of hundreds of thousands of visitors who carry those sounds far beyond these walls.

The First Note has a door — and it's wide open.

An Evening of Music Begins with More!

Join us at 6:00 PM for our exclusive pre-show in collaboration with the Wine Down Experience, featuring a heartfelt performance from the Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee alongside stunning works from local Nashville artists — all setting the tone for a night dedicated to the voices shaping what’s next.