How Hot Chicken Became Nashville’s Most Iconic Food episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 30, 2026 · 26 MIN

How Hot Chicken Became Nashville’s Most Iconic Food

from City Cast Nashville · host City Cast

Once upon a time, then-Mayor Bill Purcell decided to spread the good news of hot chicken to the masses, via a festival in East Park as part of Nashville’s bicentennial. Twenty years later, the Music City Hot Chicken Festival (a July 4th tradition) continues to thrive, and hot chicken outposts can be found as far away as Uzbekistan. Mayor Purcell sits down with Marie Cecile Anderson to tell us about his four decade journey with the spiciest of fowl. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 30th episode: Adventure Science Center Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

Once upon a time, then-Mayor Bill Purcell decided to spread the good news of hot chicken to the masses, via a festival in East Park as part of Nashville’s bicentennial. Twenty years later, the Music City Hot Chicken Festival (a July 4th tradition) continues to thrive, and hot chicken outposts can be found as far away as Uzbekistan. Mayor Purcell sits down with Marie Cecile Anderson to tell us about his four decade journey with the spiciest of fowl. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 30th episode: Adventure Science Center Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter.  Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

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How Hot Chicken Became Nashville’s Most Iconic Food

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This episode is 26 minutes long.

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This episode was published on June 30, 2026.

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Once upon a time, then-Mayor Bill Purcell decided to spread the good news of hot chicken to the masses, via a festival in East Park as part of Nashville’s bicentennial. Twenty years later, the Music City Hot Chicken Festival (a July 4th tradition)...

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