Reality City USA

In sports or other major events, the winners celebrate victory and head to Disney World. When it comes to reality TV, the “eliminated” contestants, the losers – after soaking up their fifteen minutes of fame, well they head off to ….. Nashville, Music City USA!

My adopted home town of Nashville has long been known as the home of country music, the city is also the center of the hospital and health care industry, not to mention being honored as “the friendliest city” in the country – but every year, a new title keeps building and a population growing – Nashville, Reality TV USA.

Nashville is an obvious destination for the cast offs (and sometimes winners) from American Idol and Nashville Star. The city is a virtual mixing studio for not only country, but gospel, alternative rock and even hip hop music. Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson have made Nashville a part of their lives. Idol runner-ups Bo Bice, Kelly Pickler, Scott Savol, and Josh Gracin can be seen bouncing around town too! Where else would Nashville Star winners like Buddy Jewell, Ericka Jo and Brad Cotter go to cut fulfill that Nashville dream?

But for some reason Nashville either is home to or was the land of discovery for numerous reality “stars” from Survivor, to Top Chef, The Biggest Loser, to Make me a Supermodel. And I am sure those of you who aren’t “from here” are puzzled as to why the city is a reality TV casting directors dream city? Well let’s take a look and see why!

First and foremost, Nashville is virtually the population center of the United States – Interstate 40 goes east-west and Interstate 65 takes you north-south right through the heart of music city. Nashville attracts an eclectic and diverse population – we like to say its  little bit of New York City, mixed with a L.A. kind of vibe, but brought together with a smile and a laid back lifestyle that are uniquely southern.

Nashville is also where people with big hearts and dreams come to seek success – I tell friends back home in New Jersey that they need to visit Nashville because we have the most talented waiters, waitresses and bartenders in the world. And right after they serve you food and drink, they will be happy to slip you a demo CD to show their talents off!

  And just like a sad old country song, Nashville is where you go when your heart is broken or you want to start over – thin Jessica Simpson, Sheila E, and Taylor Dane. They even made a reality show out of former stars trying getting a second chance at fame called Gone Country which airs on CMT.

And of course with the growing population of reality celebrities, Nashville has also become home to the annual Reality TV Convention – think Comic Con or CMT Fan Fest – just 10 years or so ago.  Thos October will mark the conventions third year and more than 65 of your favorite losers are expected to attend the daylong celebration of their fleeting fame!

But what really makes Nashville the hot bed of reality TV? It’s simple, friendly people, who are smart, hip, unassuming and got a great VIBE. All the same reasons I call Nashville home and can’t imagine living anywhere else.  And Nashville’s fame is for a lifetime, not just fifteen minutes!