Former boy bander Chris Kirkpatrick shares his journey to Music City, praising the vibrant atmosphere, friendly people, and bustling bar scene that make Nashville a special place to call home.
*NSYNC's Chris Kirkpatrick has found a new home in the heart of country music, Nashville. Having moved with his family eight years ago, Kirkpatrick has immersed himself in the city's vibrant culture and friendly atmosphere, leaving him wondering why they waited so long to make the move.
"I don't know what took us so long to get here," Kirkpatrick admitted in an interview with Fox News Digital. "We've been here eight years now, and, just the town, it's a beautiful town."
Kirkpatrick, along with his wife and 6-year-old son, Nash, has embraced the unique charm of Nashville, a town where the locals' friendliness matches its reputation.
"I'm talking about the experience," Kirkpatrick continued. "I'm talking about, you know, what we get in the whole package that is Nashville."
The former boy bander pointed to Nashville's bustling bar scene, particularly on Broadway, where venues have adopted the names of country music stars. Garth Brooks' bar, Friends in Low Places, stands out among Kirkpatrick's favorites.
"Broadway, if you've ever been to Nashville, [the bars are] all changing their names to artists, which make it very identifiable … Garth Brooks' bar, Friends in Low Places, is amazing," Kirkpatrick said.
Kirkpatrick's podcast, "Name Drop," which he hosts with former MTV star Brian McFayden, provides a platform for sharing memorable encounters with industry icons. One of Kirkpatrick's most cherished "name drop" moments was working with Phil Collins.
"I've got everywhere from Stevie Wonder to Paul McCartney, which was great, but I think, doing a song with Phil Collins and being in the vocal booth at the same time, it was just him and I, and I'm singing and I'm realizing, you know, ‘No Jacket Required’ was the first cassette tape I ever owned," Kirkpatrick recalled.
Kirkpatrick also commented on the viral *NSYNC reunion during Justin Timberlake's show in Los Angeles in March, where he noticed how audiences nowadays prefer watching concerts through their cellphones.
"It was the first show that I ever walked out on the stage and didn't see one single face," Kirkpatrick said. "I mean, the entire auditorium, I didn't see one smile."
Despite the technological distractions, Kirkpatrick remains passionate about performing, having recently joined forces with Bon Jovi on a project to open a bar in Nashville.
Kirkpatrick's journey to Nashville has been a fulfilling one, embracing the warmth and welcoming atmosphere that sets the city apart. The former boy bander has found a new home in Music City, where he continues to create memories and forge connections in the heart of country music.
