Which Side?: A Protest Music Teach-Out
NASHVILLE
Music, of course, is entertainment, but it can also be a catalyst for action.
A “teach-in” is an informal educational forum on a subject of social significance, typically held on a college campus. In 1970, for instance, students and faculty participated in a series of teach-ins on the growing environmental crisis.
By contrast, a “teach-out” is more public-facing. We’ve loosely based the Which Side? series on the precedent of the “Flying University,” an underground phenomenon that began in the late 1800s in Warsaw.
“Which Side?: Nashville” is Nashville’s take on the teach-out, and features musicians, activists, and community leaders who reflect Nashville’s diversity and brilliance. Jamie Rubin, Family Wash founder and current co-owner of Eastside Bowl, is originally from Boston and learned about ‘Which Side?’ through his network of friends and bandmates. One night while catching up with friend Greg O’Loughlin, they were discussing Greg’s work in education, activism, and organizing. Jamie was struck by the serendipity of the meeting and suggested they connect with James Sullivan to explore the possibility of starting “Which Side?: Nashville” by hosting a show and starting the conversations, connections, and community-building needed to meet this moment.
The series name, of course, is borrowed from the timeless protest song "Which Side Are You On" by Florence Reece, the matriarch of a coal mining family in Harlan County, KY. The song challenged strike-breakers to listen to their conscience. We’re simply asking participants to think about whether they want to be on the side of progress or regression.
Debut Event!
Your Hosts
Greg O'Loughlin is an organizer, educator, and activist. He grew up in and around Poughkeepsie, NY where he was lucky to have sung with Pete Seeger on the Sloop Clearwater, at his folk revivals, and at protests. Greg then spent years working on Capitol Hill, before moving to Nashville in 2003 to teach English. He founded the largest nonprofit mutual aid network of professional development for TN educators, and co-founded the country’s first high school cycling team exclusively for recent immigrants to the US. He serves as the Executive Director for Friends of Sinn Féin and plays mandolin in local seisiúin. He loves finding meaningful ways to bring people together.
James "Jamie" Rubin has played, performed, sung, wrote, and produced rock music since his teens when he first picked up the guitar at 14 years of age. He founded and ran East Nashville’s beloved original Family Wash (restaurant & music venue) from 2002-2015, known as an epicenter and community gathering space for musicians and artists to test out their new “wares.” He is currently working on a new Record with a hopeful release of “sometime soon” written, recorded & produced on his own with the help of many of his gifted musical friends in support.
Get Involved
For more information about being a featured singer on “Which Side?: Nashville,” emaill whichside.nashville@gmail.com
For more information about how your nonprofit can be featured on a future “Which Side?: Nashville,” email whichside.nashville@gmail.com
For more information about starting a Which Side? in your city, click here: https://www.whichside.boston/how-to