The space has been redesigned to feature a vinyl record shop, live music, and more
After closing in 2022 due to the changing landscape of Nashville’s famed Lower Broadway, the Ernest Tubb Record Shop is back open as a multi-level honky tonk record shop that serves alcohol with several stages for live music. In late 2023, the Tubb family joined forces with Bryan and Jamie Kenney of Tusk Brothers to embark on the massive, yet exciting project of rebuilding the landmark, telling Tubb’s story, and fostering a sense of shared purpose with the Nashville music community.
The historic space has been restored to the shop’s original glory by Tusk Brothers, the innovative team behind the popular Never Never bar in Wedgewood-Houston and Reunion Bar & Hotel in the Five Points area of Nashville. In planning the restoration, the Kenney brothers and Dale Tubb, grandson of Ernest Tubb, shared a common vision of dedicating the space back to the Nashville music community.
“Out of the gate, I think the plan and the focus were to make sure we figure out how to incorporate the record shop because of the importance,” Tubb shares with us a few days after the space reopened softly in October. “Equally important, we had to make sure that we were able to keep the lights on on Broadway, which is completely different than what it was in the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s. I feel that we nailed it as far as pleasing both sides of the party, if you will.”
The new Ernest Tubb Record Shop preserves the spirit and nostalgia of the former venue and honors its roots by curating memorable and authentic experiences for visitors across four levels of the building. The renovated space exudes an intimate energy, with a focus on high-level design from Dryden Architecture + Design and branding from Perky Brothers, alongside unique original memorabilia.
“You walk through the venue and some of the colors are surprising,” Tubb states about the walls being what he calls Pepto Pink. “That’s from the piping of one of his Nudie [suits]. Like the yellow rose of Texas… There’s some design work on the rooftop that pays tribute to one of his pairs of boots that’s on the first floor. There are a few things from the record shop, but a vast majority of this stuff is from Granddad’s personal collection [that has never been seen publicly].”
The ground floor is split into two bars, each with a live band and stage, decorated with Tubb keepsakes and nods to old Texas decor. The second-floor record shop is an authentic reinterpretation of the original space, open to the public, and will have performances just like the former shop’s setup. The third floor is a venue for specialty shows, with new artists’ spotlights and label events. The fourth-level rooftop bar offers a spirited honky tonk ambiance with added open-air access.
On the building’s lower level, The Victor serves as a members-only club with an intimate feel reminiscent of the building’s old recording studio. The space is aptly named for the RCA Victor, a highly popular radio used throughout the 1940s, and a nod to the homes across the country that were likely playing Midnite Jamboree.
“We’ve got an awesome venue set up,” Tubb says. “Jamie and Bryan with Tusk were pivotal with the design teams and everything. I couldn’t have envisioned this. This was bigger than me, but I knew the record shop vision for the most part and worked with them along the way.”
Bryan and Jamie teamed with business partner and Nashville musician Ilya Toshinskiy to restore the former record shop that honors Tubb’s legacy while utilizing all floors of the building.
“We had a friend of ours that we’ve known for years named Ilya Toshinskiy, who was part of the ownership group that bought the building when the original Ernest Tubb Record Shop went out of business,” Jamie tells us. “We’re music colleagues and have worked together a lot over the years. Ilya came to my brother and me and just said, ‘Hey, would you be willing to jump in on this project?’ Obviously, it’s a big project here on Broadway. So yeah, we just kind of started trying to envision what the new iteration of the Earnest Tubb Record Shop would be.”
Jamie said it was important to give the space a refresh while retaining the legacy of what made the original record shop famous.
“From the beginning of taking on the project, we felt this kinda humble fear, almost, that so many legends have walked through these walls and sang in this building that felt like we really had to do it justice,” he says. “To have Dale, the grandson of the legend, be able to be part of it, it just really gave us some security in that to know we could bounce stuff off of him. I remember at the beginning being a little concerned that we had to put a bar in here, multiple bars in here, to keep kinda up with the commerce on Broadway. I remember Dale looking at Bryan and me, saying, ‘Trust me, guys, you ain’t gonna find anybody who would’ve drunk more than my granddad and his buddies. You’re okay. He would’ve approved.'”
Opened in 1951 on Lower Broadway, the original Ernest Tubb Record Shop quickly became a hangout for famed musicians and music fans alike. By day, the space operated as a functional record store selling vinyl, 8-tracks, and songbooks, yet at night it would transform into a stomping ground for live music performers. On Saturday nights, the shop set the stage for the Midnite Jamboree, hosted by Ernest Tubb. Legendary artists like Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley would amble over from Grand Ole Opry shows at the nearby Ryman and perform late-night tunes. These performances were broadcast throughout the Midwest and Southeast on WSM radio.
“The records were important, but they were kinda more of a means to an end,” Jamie says. “What was magical about this place was that Opry stars would wander after the [Grand Ole] Opry [at its original location across the street] on a Saturday night, and just kinda plug up from Loretta to Patsy to Elvis to George and Tammy, and Dolly and jump up on the stage at his friend’s record shop, and he’d turn that radio dial and broadcast the Midnight Jamboree… We wanted to bring back, too, the new infusion of music and live music.”
For Tubb, a Nashville native, the presence of his grandfather’s name on a Broadway marquee inspired him to maintain the business.
“Granddad was like the honky tonk era, and he was kinda the conduit bringing music from Jimmy Rogers, call Great Depression Country Music, into honky tonk and modernizing it, and I feel that’s what we’re doing here,” Tubb shares. “It’s hard to tell you that the average 22-year-old is going to want to listen to Ray Price, Ernest Tubb, and all of the other classic legends, but if you put it in a format that’s attractive to them, you’re going to introduce a whole other generation to it.”
The venue features a variety of performers, aiming to attract an eclectic fanbase.
“I think the goal was to for sure honor the authentic genesis of the building to make sure we always have high-level musicians and players, and even more than that is to make sure we’re treating the artists and the players and the performers really well,” Jamie assures. “Ernest Tubb was the ultimate producer and the guy who came alongside and wanted people to get to where they wanted to go. We’re doing the same thing. Each stage has a different type of programming to it. The front stage at night will be a little more modern, and make sure it’s still fit for a party. The back stage will be a little bit like a dive back in the 1950s country, a little small dive bar. You might see an upright bass or a mandolin back there. The rooftop will have some DJs that are doing mashups, whether it’s 90s country mixed with beats or whatever, it’ll still all connect to authentic country, but it’s going to be eclectic and something for everybody.”
Tubb says the public is appreciative of the space’s renovation and reopening.
“Nothing but positive [response]. Change is great,” Tubb adds. “The appreciations that all the things are welcomed obviously, but it’s like Sun Records in Memphis. You can’t lose it. You can’t lose the fabric, right? Because you’re going to turn around, and nobody’s going to be able to tell the story. That’s why I think the community should embrace it, should love it.”
The Ernest Tubb Record Shop is located at 417 Broadway in Nashville.
