The $ Billion Honky Tonk Highway: Who’s Cashing in on Nashville’s Celebrity Bar Boom?

Hey there, loyal Your Week readers! It’s Sunday, and you know what that means: time to dive into the subscriber-exclusive content you crave. I’m Sandy Mazza, Business Editor here at The Tennessean, and I’m here to guide you through the wild world of Nashville’s hottest new attraction: celebrity honky tonks.

Hold onto your Stetsons, folks, because Lower Broadway is booming like never before. We’re talking a whopping $ billion tourism and entertainment hub, fueled by live music, cold drinks, and a whole lotta star power.

The Rise of the Celebrity Honky Tonk

So, what exactly is driving this new wave of neon and Nudie suits on Lower Broadway? Our very own Growth and Development Reporter, Molly Davis, dove headfirst into the honky-tonk hustle to find out. Molly, what’s the deal?

Well, Sandy, it’s simple: celebrity brands are the name of the game. We’re not just talking your average watering holes here. These are mega-bars, restaurants, and entertainment complexes, all stamped with the names of country music’s biggest stars.

Lower Broadway: A Global Attraction

You might think that years of skyrocketing property values would scare off investors, but you’d be wrong. Lower Broadway is like the hottest club in town, and everyone wants in on the action. And it’s not just folks from Nashville and Memphis flocking to Music City. This iconic strip has gone global, baby!

We’re seeing a huge surge in international visitors, with folks traveling from all corners of the globe to experience the honky-tonk heaven of Lower Broadway. We’re talking:

• Canadians, eh?
• The luck of the Irish
• Guten Tag from Germany!
• G’day from Down Under

And they’re all here for one thing: a taste of that sweet, sweet Nashville sound.

The Players:

Now, let’s meet the movers and shakers behind this honky-tonk takeover. We’ve got a mix of familiar faces and new kids on the block, all vying for a piece of the Lower Broadway pie. In this corner, we have longtime Nashville businessman Bill Miller, a man who needs no introduction. You might know him from his legendary friendship with the “Man in Black” himself, Johnny Cash. Talk about street cred!

And in the other corner, we have the new hotshots, Big Plan Holdings, who burst onto the scene in with a bang. These guys are all about big ideas, big investments, and even bigger parties.

A Magnet for Country Music Stars

Lower Broadway has always been a beacon for country music hopefuls, but now it’s the A-listers themselves who are setting up shop. It’s like a who’s who of country music royalty, all under one neon-lit sky. Wanna grab a beer next to a life-sized Eric Church statue? Done. Feeling lucky? Maybe you’ll catch Tanya Tucker belting out a tune at her very own joint.

And it’s not just the legends, y’all. The new generation of country superstars is right there in the mix, staking their claim on the Honky Tonk Highway. Morgan Wallen’s got his own place, and you better believe it’s always hoppin’. And let’s not forget about country music’s power couple, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, who recently opened their Friends in Low Places bar and honky tonk. Garth even popped in for a surprise performance on opening night! Talk about a tough ticket to get.

Even Lainey Wilson, fresh off her Academy of Country Music Awards wins, is getting in on the action. Word on the street is she’s got something big brewing on Broadway. Stay tuned, folks, because this party’s just getting started.

The Global Appeal of Country Music

So, what’s fueling this celebrity honky-tonk craze? Well, Molly Davis says it’s all connected to the global explosion of country music. That’s right, folks, country ain’t just for cowboys and cowgirls anymore. It’s a worldwide phenomenon!

From the UK to Australia, Brazil to Japan, country music is resonating with audiences like never before, and these fans are flocking to Nashville, the heart and soul of country, to experience the real deal. And what better way to do that than to raise a glass at a bar owned by their favorite country star?

Molly tells us that the demand for these celebrity-themed establishments is through the roof, with developers scrambling to keep up. It seems like every other week, there’s a new announcement about a country star opening a bar, restaurant, or entertainment complex on Lower Broadway.

The Future of the Honky Tonk Highway

So, what does the future hold for Lower Broadway and its ever-expanding constellation of celebrity honky tonks? Well, if the past few years are anything to go by, we’re in for one heck of a ride. With country music’s global star continuing to rise, the demand for these immersive, celebrity-driven experiences is only going to grow stronger.

But amidst all the glitz and glamour, one thing remains certain: Lower Broadway will always be a place where music reigns supreme. Whether you’re rubbing elbows with country music royalty or just soaking up the electric atmosphere, there’s no denying the magic that unfolds on this iconic strip every single night. So, grab your boots, wrangle your friends, and get ready to experience the honky-tonk heaven that is Lower Broadway, Nashville – a destination that’s got the whole world singing along.

Thanks for joining us for this deep dive into Nashville’s booming honky-tonk scene! And a huge thank you to all our loyal Tennessean subscribers – your support makes this kind of in-depth reporting possible. See you next week for another edition of Your Week!