A version of this article appears at our sister publication Nashville Post.
The Lower Broadway building home to iconic retail business Ernest Tubb Record Shops has sold for $4.75 million to the man who also owns and operates legendary live music venue Robert’s Western World.
JesseLee Jones, who has owned Robert’s for 21 years, tells the Post he bought both the building and the record shop business, located at 417 Broadway, from long-time friend David McCormick. He declined to disclose if the purchase price of the building also included the business.
According to Metro records, McCormick acquired the building and the 0.08-acre parcel on which it sits in 1992 for $128,000. Ernest Tubb Record Shops ("shops" is the official name but is often seen spelled "shop,” including on the sign) was launched by the country music legend in 1947 and has been located at its present site since 1951. The store specializes in hard-to-find CDs, DVDs, books, songbooks and vinyl LPs, according to its website.
Of note, Jones is also a member of roots music group Brazilbilly, the house band at Robert’s Western World. In addition, he owns the 416 Broadway building that's home to Robert’s.
“The city is going through a lot of changes, and someone has got to hold the torch for old-school Nashville,” says Jones. “Robert’s is the undisputed home for traditional country music. Having been on the side of traditional country music, which made Music City, it just makes sense to continue that tradition by my buying the Earnest Tubb Record Shop business and building.
“My purpose is to protect, promote and preserve this great history,” he continues. “So this just made sense that Robert’s and Ernest Tubb be strong, be one and be family to perpetuate the tradition. Ernest Tubb Record Shops will be here for another 52 years, if it’s up to me.”
The record shop business includes The Green Hornet, the late Tubb’s tour bus. Also part of the business is the Midnite Jamboree, the nation’s second-longest-running country music radio broadcast after The Grand Ole Opry. The Jamboree is broadcast live from the Texas Troubadour Theater in Music Valley near the Grand Ole Opry House.
No brokers were involved in the deal, Jones says.
