If you walked down Lower Broadway in Nashville yesterday, you might have noticed something felt wrong. The neon was there. The crowds were definitely there. But the front doors at 417 Broadway—the ones that lead into the legendary Ernest Tubb Record Shop—were locked tight.
It’s a bit of a gut punch. Honestly, it feels like we just got it back. After a massive, multi-year renovation that cost millions and promised to save the soul of old Nashville, the shop has suddenly suspended operations. Again.
What happened to the Ernest Tubb Record Shop?
Basically, it’s a management shakeup. Tusk Brothers Entertainment, the group that spearheaded the splashy 2025 reopening, officially stepped down from day-to-day operations on January 15, 2026. They called it a "labor of love" in their exit statement, but the reality is that the shop is now in a state of transition.
This isn't just another store closing. It's the Ernest Tubb Record Shop.
Founded in 1947 by the "Texas Troubadour" himself, this place was the home of the Midnite Jamboree. It was the bridge between the Grand Ole Opry and the fans. For decades, if you wanted to know what was actually happening in country music, you went to see Ernest.
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The recent reopening was supposed to be the ultimate comeback. We’re talking four floors of history.
- The Ground Floor: Two bars with live stages.
- The Second Floor: A curated record store meant to mirror the 1951 original.
- The Upper Levels: A private event space and a rooftop bar.
- The Basement: A high-end lounge called "The Forty Seven."
It was a massive undertaking by a group that included Ernest Tubb’s grandson, Dale Tubb, and musician Ilya Toshinskiy. They spent somewhere around $18 million just to buy the property back in 2022. That is a lot of records to sell just to keep the lights on.
The Midnite Jamboree struggle
You can’t talk about the record shop without talking about the Midnite Jamboree. It’s the second-longest-running radio show in history, right behind the Opry. Historically, fans would spill out of the Ryman Auditorium at midnight and head over to the shop to see artists play for free.
When the store reopened in late 2025, the Jamboree came back with it. There was a huge celebration with Marty Stuart and Vince Gill. It felt like the "real" Nashville was finally winning one back from the bachelorette parties and the generic celebrity bars.
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But then, things got quiet.
Some locals noticed the shelves weren't as full as they used to be. Others felt the new multi-bar concept was leaning a little too hard into the "Broadway tourist" vibe and away from the dusty, vinyl-filled sanctuary it once was.
Why this matters for Nashville
Look, Nashville is changing. Fast. The fact that a historic landmark like the Ernest Tubb Record Shop can't stay open for more than three months after a grand reopening tells you everything you need to know about the current real estate climate.
The overhead at 417 Broadway is astronomical. When you're sitting on a property worth nearly $20 million, the pressure to turn a profit every single night is intense. You aren't just competing with other record stores; you're competing with massive, five-story entertainment complexes owned by country superstars.
Is the store gone for good? No. The owners claim this is a "temporary closure" while a new management group takes over. They want to protect the legacy. They want to keep the Tubb name on that building.
But for the musicians who were supposed to play there tonight, and the fans who traveled across the country to see a piece of history, the "closed" sign is a lonely sight.
How to support the legacy right now
If you’re a fan of traditional country music and you’re worried about the shop, here is what you can actually do:
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- Stream the Midnite Jamboree: It still airs on WSM Radio. Even if the physical shop is in transition, the show is the heartbeat of the brand. Keep those listener numbers up.
- Buy from independent local shops: While 417 Broadway is closed, spots like Grimey’s or The Great Escape still carry the torch.
- Follow the Nashville Music Collective: This was the group set up by the owners to allow the community to have a "piece" of the store. Watch their updates for news on who the next management team will be.
- Visit the Texas Troubadour Theatre: The Midnite Jamboree often broadcasts from this location in Music Valley when the Broadway store is unavailable.
The story of the Ernest Tubb Record Shop isn't over. It’s just in another one of those "to be continued" chapters that seem to define Nashville lately. Keep an eye on the shop’s social media—when those doors open again, they’re going to need the fans more than ever.
Next Steps for You: Check the official WSM Radio schedule to see when the next Midnite Jamboree broadcast is slated, as these sessions are often the first sign of life when the shop prepares to reboot its schedule.