TrueSouth Season 1 Episode 3 TrueSouth: Nashville
- TV-G
- March 17, 2021
TrueSouth: Nashville is the third episode of the first season of the true-crime documentary series TrueSouth. The show is hosted by Jon Rawl and explores the untold stories of the American South through the eyes of its people.
In this episode, Rawl travels to Nashville, Tennessee, to investigate the city's dark and mysterious past. Nashville is known around the world as the home of country music, but there is much more to the city than its famous honky-tonks and grand ole opry. Rawl's mission is to uncover the hidden history of Nashville and shine a light on the city's secrets.
Rawl begins his journey by meeting with local historian Bill Carey. Carey takes Rawl on a tour of the city's Capitol Hill district, where the Tennessee State Capitol and the Legislative Plaza are located. The Legislative Plaza is the site of a tragic event that happened on January 15th, 1975. A group led by the radical Puerto Rican nationalist group FALN detonated a bomb in the building, killing one person and injuring several others. Rawl talks to eyewitnesses and survivors of the bombing, as well as law enforcement officials who were involved in the investigation. He also explores the FALN's political motivations and the impact of the bombing on the city.
Rawl then turns his attention to Nashville's more recent history. In the 1990s, the city experienced a wave of violent crime that left many residents feeling unsafe. Rawl interviews former Metro Nashville Police Department detective Pat Postiglione, who was known as "the man who solved the impossible cases." Postiglione investigated some of the city's most heinous crimes, including the murder of a college student and the brutal killing of a young mother. Rawl speaks to the families of the victims as well as Postiglione's colleagues about his unique investigative techniques and his impact on the city.
The episode also explores the city's darker side through its haunted history. Rawl visits the Ryman Auditorium, the former home of the Grand Ole Opry, which is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young girl who died there in the early 1900s. He also visits the Tennessee State Prison, which was closed in 1992 after more than a century of use. The prison is reputed to be one of the most haunted places in America, with reports of ghostly apparitions and eerie sounds. Rawl talks to former prison guards and paranormal investigators about the prison's haunted history.
Throughout the episode, Rawl also delves into Nashville's music scene, visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and talking to local musicians about the city's musical heritage. He explores the legacy of country music legends like Hank Williams and Johnny Cash, who helped put Nashville on the map. He also looks at the city's modern music scene, which encompasses a wide range of genres from rock to indie to hip hop.
TrueSouth: Nashville is a fascinating look at a city that is often overshadowed by its musical heritage. Rawl's exploration of the city's hidden history uncovers a rich tapestry of stories that reveal the city's complex identity. From the tragic events of the Legislative Plaza bombing to the haunting legacy of the Tennessee State Prison, the episode offers a glimpse into the darker side of Nashville's past. But it also celebrates the city's vibrant music scene and the indelible impact it has had on American culture. TrueSouth: Nashville is a must-watch for anyone interested in the rich culture and history of the American South.