Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in December 2020.

A well-known Nashville mural honoring country music legends has undergone a major change—Taylor Swift is out, and Brad Paisley has taken her place.

The Legends Corner mural, located near the historic Ryman Auditorium, pays tribute to some of country music’s biggest icons, including Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, and Keith Urban. But Swift, who once had a spot in the lineup, has now been replaced by Paisley, who is depicted sitting on a barstool between Cash and Nelson.

The swap has sparked debate, with some fans questioning why Swift was removed. Although she made her mark in country music early in her career, she has since transitioned into pop. Still, Swift is one of the most decorated female artists in country music history. She became the first woman to win the CMA Pinnacle Award in 2013 and was named Entertainer of the Year twice. With her removal, only three women—McEntire, Parton, and the late Loretta Lynn—remain among the 14 artists featured in the mural.

Tim Davis, the artist behind the piece, revealed that Swift’s image had become a point of contention among local bar patrons. In a statement to USA Today, Davis explained that some Nashvillians took issue with her presence on the wall, feeling that she had abandoned the country genre. Some even went as far as spitting on her image.

“I have heard many complaints here in Nashville about Taylor being on the wall mural with country legends since she is currently focused mainly on pop,” Davis said. “Some drunk bar hoppers have spit on her image specifically, feeling betrayed by her venture from country. I guess this is to be expected, but by and large, the people of Nashville love her, as do I.”

Davis clarified that the decision to remove Swift was made by the owners of Legends Corner, not him. However, he is leading an effort to ensure that Swift’s contributions to country music are still recognized. He launched a GoFundMe campaign with a $35,000 goal to create a new mural in downtown Nashville dedicated solely to Swift. The fundraiser’s description argues that Swift deserves to be honored for both her country music beginnings and her evolution into a global pop star.

Meanwhile, the Legends Corner mural isn’t finished yet. Davis revealed that three additional country stars will be added in the coming weeks, including a female artist who will be placed between Parton and Brooks. However, he has yet to disclose her identity.

Swift’s removal has fueled plenty of discussion, with some applauding the update and others calling it an unnecessary erasure of one of the most successful crossover artists in history. One thing is certain—her legacy in country music, and in Nashville, isn’t going away anytime soon.

Sources: billboard