James Zimmermann Could Win The Culture War
The Daily · · 6 min read
Good afternoon, everyone. Today:
- 1 Woke tries to cancel TN clarinetist James Zimmermann
- 2 TN lawmaker wants to create safe spaces away from ICE
- 3 Will Aftyn Behn take a stab at another Congressional seat?
+ And much more!
This Month's Lecture
Join us next Thursday for an evening with Joe Allen as he pulls back the curtain on the entities behind the advancement of transhumanism and artificial intelligence.
This is the second discussion hosted by the Pamphleteer's new monthly lecture series. Paying Bard-level subscribers receive free access to this and future events. (Buy Tickets)
How the cancelled clarinetist provides a new blueprint for the takeback of arts institutions
Since the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra reneged on hiring James Zimmermann, he’s largely kept to himself. A half a decade after working in tech in the aftermath of his controversial dismissal in 2020 from the Nashville Symphony Orchestra for opposing DEI initiatives, he found a job that provided him ample time to spend with his family and for his morning ritual of making bread.
But, since he announced news of his discrimination lawsuit against the KSO Tuesday on X, his story went national, piquing the interest of everyone from Megyn Kelly and Steve Bannon to Newsweek.
Like many instances of wokedom, Zimmermann’s story appears as yet another egregious cancellation effort–one conservatives can fume over before moving on to the next injustice. However, Zimmermann’s strategy to hold the KSO accountable differs from stalwart conservative pursuits like boycotts or abolishing national endowments in a way that could revolutionize the Right’s attempts to regain control of cultural institutions: threatening state and local arts funding for Blue dot organizations in overwhelmingly Red states.
“We need to be crusaders for this stuff with the way that the Left is," Zimmermann said. “So that's what we're trying to do in Knoxville. They get $100,000 a year in grant money from the Tennessee Arts Commission. Why should they get that? That's part of what the foundation in DC that took me on is going to do. They're going to be asking our friends in the legislature, ‘Why are you funneling this money into the Knoxville Symphony if they discriminate openly against white conservative guys? Maybe you just should take that $100,000 and spend it on something that doesn't discriminate.’”
The Men Behind the Machine We hear endless warnings about the existential dangers of transhumanism and artificial intelligence, but almost none about the individuals and interests behind their advance. What do they believe? What does their vision for the future of humanity look like? How does this affect how they organize and lead their companies?
On Thursday, January 15th, Joe Allen will join us to discuss just that. Allen is a writer and Bannon's War Room correspondent. His 2023 book, Dark Aeon, chronicles the rise of artificial intelligence and transhumanism, arguing that unchecked technological advancement poses a threat to humanity.
This is the second in a series of monthly lectures we'll be hosting. These events are for the benefit of The Pamphleteer. Every dollar earned goes toward supporting our operations and planning future events.
Paying Bard-level subscribers receive free access to this and future events. (Buy Tickets)
HEADLINES
Freshman state legislator wants to create safe spaces in Tennessee for those avoiding ICE.
Representative Gabby Salinas (D-Memphis) has filed a bill that would designate schools and churches as safe spaces by requiring ICE agents to provide notice before entering those properties. Salinas says the measure is in response to concerns about ICE surveillance and the agent-involved shooting in Minneapolis.
NewsChannel 5Will Aftyn Behn take a stab at another Congressional seat in 2026?
The Democrat nominee still has $465,000 left over in her campaign coffers after losing to Matt Van Epps in Congressional District 7. Behn spent nearly $3 million and lost by 9 points against the Republican nominee.
SceneTDOT is moving forward with two major East Bank infrastructure projects tied to Oracle’s planned campus
: lowering James Robertson Parkway by 25 feet and extending Marine Drive under a new I-24 overpass to connect directly with Dickerson Pike in East Nashville. The projects will be bid and built with overlapping timelines, aiming for completion between 2028 and 2029. State and Metro funding is still being finalized.
NBJ
DEVELOPMENT
Barista Parlor shutters three locations
PostPermits issued for Belle Meade Village project
PostOracle seeks zoning update for River North site
PostMusic Row building listed for undisclosed asking price
Post
THINGS TO DO
- View our calendar for the week here. Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.
- On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.
- Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.
Tonight Fri, Jan 9
| Show | Venue | Time | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Graves and the Farm Hands | Station Inn | 9p | Info for Tim Graves and the Farm Hands | |
| Mozart's Jupiter Symphony featuring Gemma New and Conrad Tao | Schermerhorn Symphony Center | 7:30p | $20+ | Info for Mozart's Jupiter Symphony featuring Gemma New and Conrad Tao |
🎸 Elvis' 91st "Birthday Bash @ 3rd and Lindsley, 7p, $29.66, Info
🪕 The Cowpokes @ Acme Feed & Seed, 12p, Free, Info
🎸 Kelley’s Heroes @ Robert’s Western World, 6:30p, Free, Info
Saturday
| Show | Venue | Time | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mozart's Jupiter Symphony featuring Gemma New and Conrad Tao | Schermerhorn Symphony Center | 7:30p | $20+ | Info for Mozart's Jupiter Symphony featuring Gemma New and Conrad Tao |
| Larry Stephenson Band | Station Inn | 9p | Info for Larry Stephenson Band | |
| Hayes Carll birthday bash with The Gulf Coast Orchestra and guests | Brooklyn Bowl Nashville | 8p | $34+ | Info for Hayes Carll birthday bash with The Gulf Coast Orchestra and guests |
| Kelley’s Heroes | Robert’s Western World | 6:30p | Free | Info for Kelley’s Heroes |
Sunday
| Show | Venue | Time | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluegrass Jam+ a night for musicians and singers from all over the world to gather and enjoy making music together | Station Inn | 7p | Free | Info for Bluegrass Jam |
| Sundays Between with Easy Green+ a bluegrass celebration of the music of the Grateful Dead | Tennessee Brew Works | 1p | Info for Sundays Between with Easy Green |
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