In the ‘80s, the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area gave it a run for the money. But where Nashville goes more for country music, those cities were more rock-oriented. LOTS of large night clubs and small dives to choose from.
It was going downhill by the time I left in late ‘93 but still has a few places going.
Nashville seems to be as strong as ever. Just way too big for my tastes. If I was young, I could probably handle it.
Raleigh has been overrun by DC. I have to take care of the RTP from time to time and they are wrapped up.