Prominent personalities

* **James M. Buchanan** — Nobel Prize-winning economist born in Murfreesboro. * **Uncle Dave Macon** — Iconic banjo player, comedian, and early star of the Grand Ole Opry who lived in the area. * **Grantland Rice** — Highly influential early 20th-century American sportswriter. * **Chris Young** — Multi-platinum country music singer and songwriter who was born and raised in the city. * **Kevin Byard** — Pro Bowl NFL safety who played college football at MTSU and maintains a strong local community presence. * **Mary Noailles Murfree** — Notable 19th-century fiction writer and descendant of the city's namesake, Revolutionary War hero Hardy Murfree.