Dierks Bentley and Ray Stevens opened clubs in Music City four days apart with star-studded guest lists that underscored the swell of energy around Nashville’s creative community.
Bentley’s long-awaited Whiskey Row Nashville, located in the heart of the Lower Broadway club scene, is a three-floor bar/restaurant that occupies the former home of Gruhn Guitars. The fourth location in a chain that has three venues in Arizona, the site launched with a Jan. 14 soiree. The night took on a ’90s theme with Maren Morris covering “Strawberry Wine,” Thomas Rhett singing “That Ain’t My Truck” and Bentley teaming with Lauren Alaina, Bobby Bones and LANCO‘s Brandon Lancaster on “Brand New Man.” Also making appearances were Kelsea Ballerini, Jon Pardi, Maddie & Tae, Brothers Osborne, Ryan Hurd and Cole Swindell, plus several members of the Nashville Predators hockey team.
Mayor Megan Barry declared Jan. 10 Ray Stevens Day as his CabaRay Showroom held a grand-opening event on the west side of town. Stevens christened the 35,000-square-foot dinner club with a 90-minute set in front of an audience that included Steve Wariner, Ricky Skaggs, Bill Anderson, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, T.G. Sheppard, Lee Roy Parnell and Johnny Lee. CabaRay will open to the public on Jan. 18.