Veterans and civilians bond over beers and bluegrass at Nashville's
American Legion Post 82
[July 05, 2025]
By KRISTIN M. HALL
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Matthew “Moose” Musquiz was working as a diesel
mechanic in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Fort
Campbell, Kentucky, when his physical therapist told him about a bar in
Nashville, Tennessee, that he might like.
Musquiz loves the Texas dance hall style of venues popular there, but he
hadn’t really found a good one in Nashville, which is about an hour
south of the U.S. Army installation.
“He told me, ‘Tuesday night at the American Legion Post 82 is kind of
like a dance hall,’” said Musquiz.
In a dimly lit cinderblock building tucked away off a busy street in the
Inglewood neighborhood, locals learn to two-step to country, and
veterans from different wars trade insults and advice.
Over beers and bluegrass, the American Legion Post 82 breaks down
barriers between veterans and civilians and provides a sense of
community for those who served. Post 82 has gained a reputation for
hosting big-name acts on its tiny stage, which puts a spotlight on the
veterans’ service organization.
“It’s really unique because it’s such a blend of everybody: veterans,
community members and even travelers passing through that just heard a
good word about this place,” said Musquiz, a post member.
Big names on a small stage
Grammy-winning producer and rocker Jack White played the tiny stage to
raise money for a new sound system for the post. Bluegrass artist Billy
Strings, who can sell out arenas, recorded a live album at Post 82 with
acclaimed bluegrass musician Bryan Sutton. It was at Post 82 where
Americana artist Sierra Ferrell, now a four-time Grammy winner, was
playing with the house band when she got discovered and later signed by
a record label.
"We really lean into the music as a mechanism to draw people here,” said
Shannon Rasmussen, the post adjutant.
At the same time, the volunteer veterans who run the post ensure the
true mission hasn't gotten lost in the attention on the celebrities who
spend time there. The post's nonmusical activities in the community
range from various veterans services, sponsoring kids' sports leagues,
and a youth program that teaches kids about government. Wreath laying at
veterans' cemeteries and serving as the color guard for sporting events
are also among the activities. Nonveterans can attend shows and have
drinks at the American Legion, although membership is for veterans only.
“It has this cool second and third order effect where people out in the
community get to learn more about military service and what it’s all
about," said Rasmussen.
Helmets, patches and flags fill the walls
Where so much of "new” Nashville caters to tourists, Post 82 feels like
a step back in time. The classic country and bluegrass music emanating
from the venue isn't the kind normally found among the artist-themed
bars along Broadway in downtown Nashville. Military mementos decorate
the post, including helmets, framed folded American flags, dozens of
patches from military units pinned on a wall and framed photos of
members in their uniforms. The stage's background is a string of lights
in the shape of an American flag.
to top of second column]
|
 Tuesdays are one of the more popular
nights at the Legion. One recent Tuesday afternoon, the color guard
practiced its formation on the dance floor, stepping together with
ceremonial rifles to present the flag for upcoming events they had
booked. An hour later, dance instructors taught couples the basics
of two-step dancing, as they twirled each other around in circles.
The night continued with country and rockabilly music from Matt
McMurry, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and the band the Tennessee
Roundups.
August Wagner, a former Army scout and a member of
the color guard, has watched the post’s leadership and membership
adapt with the growing attention and said younger veterans are
getting more involved. And they carry on the military tradition of
playfully hazing each other's branch or service.
“I call it the island of misfit toys for a reason," said Wagner.
“It’s just everybody and anybody. It could be Navy, Army, whatever,
but we all give each other equal crap. You gain family members every
day.”
Volunteer veterans reach out to others
Only the bar staff gets paid to work at Post 82, and everyone else
volunteers their time, whether it's on a day they might be having a
turkey shoot, a clothes drive or a potluck dinner to watch the Army
versus Navy football game.
So when a country star rents the building to shoot a music video or
hold an album release party, the proceeds help them pay the
bartenders and fund the veterans and community service projects,
said Rasmussen.
“Every bit of it, after we’ve covered our overhead, leaves the
building again,” she said.
A sign sets the tone for patrons: “Please, no politics at the bar!”
For Wagner, that means everyone is treated equally at Post 82,
regardless of their final rank or whether they are a famous
musician.
Jenny Kuhl, a 27-year-old artist manager in Nashville, visited Post
82 with some of her friends in the music industry on Tuesday nights
and found it to be a more authentic scene compared to other venues
in town.
“I’ve gotten to meet some really wonderful people who I probably
never would have met otherwise, and I really like that part about
this place,” said Kuhl, who spent a recent Tuesday at the Legion
dancing to the Tennessee Roundups.
Rasmussen wants the American Legion to be a place for veterans, like
a church or a barbershop, where someone would notice if they didn't
show up regularly.
“If there’s a member that hasn’t been in for a week or two and we
haven’t seen them, we start asking around to ask if anybody else has
seen them,” said Rasmussen. "And if nobody has seen him, then we
reach out.”
Jason Williams retired from the Army at the beginning of the year
after 28 years and is the first vice commander at the post.
Regardless of how Post 82 gets veterans to come through the doors,
whether it’s the music or the services, Williams said they'd find a
supportive space.
“Transition to the civilian side is difficult," said Williams. "The
one thing I can say is that this place has been pretty much a soft
place to land.”
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
