Uncovering the Mysteries of "Murder on Music Row": A Captivating True Crime Podcast

Tennessean writer Keith Sharon spent the better part of two years delving into the 1989 murder of Nashvillian Kevin Hughes, crafting a true crime story that revisited the mysterious circumstances surrounding Hughes' death and the layers of intrigue that followed. The result was an eight-part narrative and podcast series, "Murder on Music Row," which has captivated audiences and received high praise from the true crime community.

Exploring the Underbelly of the Country Music Industry

A Podcast that Transports Listeners to the Heart of Nashville

Since the first episode was released on May 21, the "Murder on Music Row" podcast has been downloaded tens of thousands of times, and it was recently the subject of discussion on the popular "Crime Writers On..." podcast. Four true crime writers, including Rebecca Lavoie, Kevin Flynn, Toby Ball, and Lara Bricker, praised the podcast for its thorough research, well-written script, and the way it seamlessly weaves the city of Nashville and the country music scene of the late 1980s into the story, making the setting a character in its own right.

Praise from the True Crime Community

Lavoie, co-author of five true crime books and director of on-demand audio at New Hampshire Public Radio, expressed her admiration for the podcast, describing it as having a "fantastic sense of place" and being "incredibly detailed." She noted that the historic nature of the murder case made the podcast feel less "in-your-face, bloody, [and] present," and more like a "sweeping story." Lavoie's only critique was the sound quality, suggesting that Sharon consider using a higher-quality microphone.

Captivating Storytelling and Intrigue

Lavoie's husband, co-author, and journalist Kevin Flynn, also gave "Murder on Music Row" an "enthusiastic thumbs-up," praising the writing and the way the podcast delved into the "underbelly of promotions in country music," which he found "very intriguing." Flynn noted that even those who are not fans of country music would be drawn in by the historical aspects of the story.

Accolades from the "Crime Writers On..." Podcast

Toby Ball, another member of the "Crime Writers On..." podcast, also praised the podcast's strong narration and the perfect tone for the story, stating that it would likely be one of his top 10 podcasts of the year.

The Podcast's Impact and Recognition

Sharon, the author of the "Murder on Music Row" podcast, expressed his honor at having the "Crime Writers On..." team dedicate an episode to his work, stating that in the world of true crime, they "set the agenda about what podcasts have to be listened to, and what podcasts to avoid." He described the team as "smart, funny and informative," and was thrilled to hear their positive comments about his podcast.

The Podcast's Production and Team

The "Murder on Music Row" podcast was executive produced by Gannett Vice President of Local News and Tennessean Executive Editor Michael Anastasi and Tennessean News Director Ben Goad. The audio producer was Amanda Rossmann, and the project editor was Tennessean Politics and Investigations editor Duane W. Gang.

The Tennessean's Commitment to Investigative Journalism

Melonee Hurt, who covers music and the music business at The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK — Tennessee, played a crucial role in the project. The Tennessean's dedication to investigative journalism and its willingness to delve into complex, long-form stories like "Murder on Music Row" is a testament to the publication's commitment to providing its readers with in-depth, high-quality content.