CrimeCon returned to Nashville this year — the first time since the conference’s 2017 inception that it has returned to a previous host city. The event drew thousands of true crime enthusiasts to the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, where the focus wasn’t just on the dark realities of our world, but also on the victims and justice seekers bringing light to both solved and unsolved cases.
Top true crime podcast Small Town Dicks — which also launched in 2017 and is now in its 14th season — made an appearance at this year’s event. The show, whose name references a centuries-old slang term for detectives, has exploded in popularity, in part due to diversity of experience brought by its hosts: actress Yeardley Smith (the longtime voice of Lisa Simpson); twin brothers Detective Dave Grice and Detective Dan Grice (the latter of whom is married to Smith); and famed cold-case investigator Paul Holes, best known for his work in identifying prolific serial killer Joseph DeAngelo (aka the “Golden State Killer”).
“We’re not salacious, because we understand that sometimes it is way too much,” Detective Dave tells the Scene. “The basic gist of our podcast is: What was the case, tell me about investigating it, and how did it impact you? How did it impact the victim and their family? It’s really just to give the law enforcement perspective, and always be respectful to the victims, and we’re pretty respectful most of the time to suspects as well.”
Small Town Dicks at CrimeCon Nashville, June 1
Holes, who joined the podcast as a permanent host in 2022, says he has advocated for a “victim-centric” approach in discussing cases with the public.
“Part of the message that we’re trying to provide is to give the general layperson kind of that authentic understanding on not only how law enforcement operates, but the real impact these cases have on the victims’ families,” says Holes. “And I’ve even seen it here at CrimeCon.”
According to the hosts of Small Town Dicks, trust with their audience, with victims and with their law enforcement peers is key to telling their stories.
“They know that we’re going to get the story right, so they’re reaching out to us,” says Detective Dan. “And I think that our net is going to get wider, and we’re going to be able to bring in a lot more interesting guests to our podcast.”
“I think we fill a kind of hole that doesn’t yet exist in terms of live shows of true crime, or ‘real crime,’ as Paul says, so we’re exploring that,” says Smith, explaining that the podcast is considering the possibility of hosting live shows.
CrimeCon founder Kevin Balfe tells the Scene the focus on ethics is a part of the greater mission of the convention.
“I don’t think it’s a surprise that true crime content can be problematic when done incorrectly,” says Balfe. “And we’re trying to show that the people we can turn out, in terms of this community, aren’t just looking backward and sort of gawking at crime.
“They’re here to advocate, [to] educate, support with full-time money and sort of all those things,” he continues. “And I’m really proud of how the community has come together to show that to the families directly who we hear from after these events.”
This year’s event also spotlighted local cases. The convention saw the debut of a digitally age-progressed image of Tabitha Tuders, who disappeared from her East Nashville neighborhood in 2003 when she was just 13 years old.
“We love to pull in local storylines and make sure that we’re always reminding people that there are human beings and families behind these stories,” Balfe says.
Several Middle Tennessee-based podcasts and talent were also represented at the event, including Music City 911. The podcast launched by host Brandon Hall uses real 911 calls to break down emergency responses, covering both well-known and lesser-known incidents from around the country, including the greater Nashville area. Hall has worked as an emergency dispatcher in Nashville for more than 20 years, and this was the third CrimeCon that he’s both attended and spoken at.
“I like my show to be both entertaining and educational, because I want people to know what goes on with the dispatcher, what they have to go through and their day-to-day life,” says Hall. “And also if someone were to have to call 911, the right things to do and the wrong things to do.”
CrimeCon Nashville, June 1, 2024
Hall says the community of podcasters and fans from across the country are a big part of CrimeCon, adding that he’s heard from numerous listeners who have utilized tips from his show while making their own 911 calls in emergency situations.
CrimeCon is already prepping for the 2025 convention, which will take place Sept. 5-7 in Denver.
