Billy Bob’s Texas / Ryman Auditorium to Attempt Reopening
In a bid to start attempting to get back to some semblance of normal, two important and iconic venues in the country music world are opening their doors once again, but under strict protocols and to limited audiences.
The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville—a.k.a. the Country Music Mother Church—has been mostly shuttered since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, aside from rare performances such as a Sturgill Simpson socially distanced bluegrass jam that was streamed online. But it will be opening its doors again starting on August 14th for streaming events every Friday evening that promoters hope will slowly allow for live audience members to return in limited numbers as COVID-19 concerns and restrictions ease.
Working with Vanderbilt Health and approved by Nashville Public Health Department, all support staff will be wearing masks and adhere to local regulations, and the events will be live streamed with a $10 admission to each event. Season passes and VIP options are also available.
“Our company has prioritized the health and safety of our employees, customers and artists since day one of the pandemic,” said Colin Reed, chairman and CEO, Ryman Hospitality Properties. “This unique live music experience represents the next step in our commitment to doing things the right way while also creating a repeatable model that will allow artists and fans to connect during this bridge period until a vaccine or treatment for COVID-19 is available.”
At the moment the lineup for these Ryman events may be a little hit and miss depending on your tastes, but it is exciting to see the Mother Church open once again for music, and it could be a big opportunity for performers and worthy entertainment for fans as we have seen with the Grand Ole Opry’s Saturday night streams that have endured through the pandemic.
The Current Ryman Schedule:
August 14 – for KING & COUNTRY
August 21 – Cam
August 28 – Chris Janson
September 4 – Scotty McCreery
September 11 – Brett Young
September 18 – Old Crow Medicine Show
Tickets are available at ryman.com.
– – – – – – – – – – – – –
Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth is also opening its doors beginning this upcoming weekend, and is doing so to live audiences, but once again under strict guidelines, and with the blessing and oversight of local officials. Billy Bob’s is using a provision in place in Texas that allows restaurants to open to limited capacities, but is keeping bars and music venues closed. With a full service restaurant on site, Billy Bob’s can qualify as long as they keep attendance limited, which they intend to do.
49% of revenue must come from food for a venue can qualify as a restaurant. The “World’s Largest Honky Tonk” will limit its 6,000-capacity space to just 1,200 customers, or 20% of its occupancy. Patrons must wear masks, and will go through temperature checks at the door. Only 30 people will be allowed on the dance floor at a given time, and heavily trafficked areas will be sanitized regularly by staff during events.
Many performers from Texas and beyond have already signed up to perform, including The Bellamy Brothers, Tracy Byrd, Josh Abbott Band, and Flatland Cavalry. “In wake of all these pandemic blues many local venues are struggling to keep the lights on and are seeking new ways to safely put on shows,” Flatland Cavalry said on social media. “Billy Bob’s Texas reached out asking if we’d like to try and be a part of the solution in the effort to #SaveOurVenues.”
By hopefully providing a safe and sustainable model of how to open venues, the Billy Bob’s option could offer a way forward to some music businesses that are facing foreclosure or eviction, with many already having shuttered for good. The Flatland Cavalry event is going the extra mile by collecting a percentage of the proceeds to benefit the Lubbock venue The Blue Light which is unable to opening in the same capacity as Billy Bob’s. This is an example of how larger venues could help support smaller venues, and using bigger venues where social distancing is possible to scale capacity for performers.
Billy Bob’s Upcoming Schedule:
August 14th – The Bellamy Brothers
August 15th – Flatland Cavalry
August 21st – Tracy Byrd
August 22nd – Casey Donahew
August 23rd – Chad Prather
August 29th – Josh Abbott Band
September 11th – Sammy Kershaw
September 12th – Granger Smith
For tickets, visit billbobstexas.com .
– – – – – – – – – – –
The success (or failure) these two important venues have in their reopening plans—as well as other venues that are beginning to open their doors once again—could create the template for other venues across the country to once again invite artists onto stages. Undoubtedly many will be looking on with interest, and scrutiny.
August 11, 2020 @ 7:57 am
GREAT NEWS, AND IT’S ABOUT DAMNED TIME!
Open ’em up, and let’s get this insane “lockdown” over once and for all!
August 11, 2020 @ 8:07 am
I bought a ticket for Scotty McCreery. I hope this is a success.
August 11, 2020 @ 8:37 am
I wish Billy Bob’s could add a livestream component. It seems like a mix of a small crowd and livestream tickets could be successful.
That and there line up is way better than the Ryman. Looking forward to Old Crow anyhow.
August 11, 2020 @ 9:22 am
Wouldn’t be surprised if we end up seeing more independent and Americana acts on the Ryman stream. It’s ripe for folks like Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, Marty Stuart, Margo Price, and other Nashville residents that have sold out the room to make appearances, and keeping it cheap is the key to getting people to engage with it. I’m never gonna spend $20 to stream a show, or $50 for a “festival” where it’s just a bunch of artists playing on their couches like we can see on Instagram.
As for Billy’ Bob’s, hopefully they do add a stream. My hope is that when these venues present sustainable models, it allows others to join in. It may be the last opportunity to save some of these iconic venues.
August 11, 2020 @ 10:32 am
If it was indie artists I really like a lot, who will never ever play Vegas or LA , I take it back about not wanting to pay for a livestream. I’d be okay with $20 if it was someone I would never get to see live otherwise.
August 11, 2020 @ 10:54 am
I hope you are right on both counts. Watching Ketch MC the great acts on the Opry the other night also made me wish somebody could figure out a way to do something in the style of things like the old “Buck Owens”: show at some of these venues that have a so many great musicians within a half day’s drive.
BTW, why didn’t you cover the Billy Strings livestreams? That seemed like a pretty decent model. I bought the first couple and enjoyed them so much I ended up watching all of them. It was a decent price and a lot of venues across the country were able to do simulcasts and bring some cash in. It seemed like it worked out well for everyone.
August 11, 2020 @ 10:57 pm
There have been so many livestream events, I can’t even begin to try and cover them all. So instead I’m just trying to tell the story of how artists and venues are trying to survive through the pandemic through stories like this. I did actually mention Billy’s streaming tour when covering his debut appearance on network television.
https://savingcountrymusic.com/billy-strings-to-make-network-television-debut/
August 11, 2020 @ 10:34 am
With everyone stuck at home, I thought BB should open up the vault and post all the old live DVDs on YouTube. I know that might require a new contract with older recordings, but seems like with a few ads here and there that could create a little revenue for somebody. Or at least more than poor quality Facebook videos and cancelled concerts.
August 11, 2020 @ 8:42 am
The local minor league baseball team here, The Wild Things, were operating by all accounts within the strict guidelines for over a month and the State police shut them down yesterday.
https://triblive.com/sports/washington-wild-things-suspend-season-citing-possible-crackdown-by-state-police/
It takes one Karen to ruin it for everyone. Someone ratted out my gym and it’s been closed ever since. I think their lease is in jeopardy.
Proceed with caution because there are people out there trying to shut everything down because they are bored and angry (and hate themselves).
August 11, 2020 @ 9:44 am
You are correct about the one Karen. My hangout Bub City which is right next door to Joe’s Live got a complaint about 1 guy playing acoustic on the patio 3 weeks ago and there’s been no entertainment there since. What I’ve been seeing here in the suburbs (which by the way is where I live not in the looting/riot filled Windy Shitty you see on the news) in past month is small local “audition” bands playing for free or 5-10 bucks to crowds of 30-50 inside or on a patio. No national acts have played or have even attempted to play anywhere that I know of. Many of these gigs are booked hush hush a day or 2 in advance so as to not draw pre date attention. Chicago Farmer is playing here on Fitzgerald’s patio Friday night and that’s the only thing I have to look forward to. Everyone here is not only scared of Karen’s but of the governor and the mayor as well for fear of fines or being shut down for good. Props to the artists and all involved at The Ryman and Billy Bob’s for at least trying. Let’s hope it all goes off without a hitch.
August 11, 2020 @ 10:10 am
“ booked hush hush a day or 2 in advance”
It’s almost like we are in prohibition again, where the hush hush events are the speak easys, the state is once again the morality police that knows what’s good for ya, and the Karens are the narcs.
August 11, 2020 @ 11:20 am
Ditto to JB and Hoptown. There are indeed shows very quietly popping up here and there. Was in Nashville on the first July weekend, though most places had been shut down, a few were open with music very low key. Inside it was everyone distanced, maybe 30 percent capacity and no dancing. Still, better than nothing. Got to see quite a few Opry musicians and unemployed touring musicians play. One “local” band we saw had Haggards former drummer, Tanya Tuckers lead guitar player and Porter Wagners former bass player and a well known session steel player. I was happy to get some music and more than happy to generously tip em. One week later, the same venue had a small unadvertised show with T Graham Brown.
Dale Watsons place in Memphis is now quietly open again, with limited capacity for a few shows although streaming makes it possible to keep things going financially.
August 11, 2020 @ 10:40 am
And this is a problem. Everyone being afraid.
Have not stopped being out and about and enjoying life.
Last Saturday, after purchasing ham and turkey at Honeybaked, in Nashville, ran across the street to The Pig (Piggly Wiggly), to get some fruits and veggies. Stuck out like a sore thumb because am an American Indian/WASP, Heinz 57.
Told the cashier to put the Cop’s snack purchase on my bill, thanked him for his service, told her to have a good one, and left. She said, thank you baby.
Love people.
Saw several cops downtown Nashville while we were walking around. Took a second to thank them as well. Mask free.
I am an American. While in America, i do not allow anyone to walk all over me.
Very responsible. If this virus was truly a threat, of course would be taking precautions to protect others.
Currently, taking action to protect my rights as an American.
August 11, 2020 @ 1:37 pm
The #3 cause of death this year, behind only cancer and heart disease, things one generally tries to avoid. But sure, not a threat…
August 11, 2020 @ 5:38 pm
For some reason I picture you doing all this in a ragtop, wind in your hair, sun in you face…
August 11, 2020 @ 6:55 pm
Wind in hair, for sure.
Just got back from a ride through Brown County State Park.
Gorgeous night out
August 11, 2020 @ 8:50 am
Many people seem to have forgotten that life has ALWAYS been a risk. At some point we have to ask ourselves what would be better: Some added risk, or impotently and cowardly watching the world crumble around us from a “safe” distance. I know where I stand.
August 11, 2020 @ 10:19 am
Some people can’t handle the fact that we are all destined to die.
But really, it is all about control and the election.
They sold out millions because they are angry.
August 11, 2020 @ 11:21 am
I don’t know, maybe there’s some of that…for sure many people are happy the economy is no longer in the orange bad man’s favor. Could there be a Governor or 2 that are taking things further than they normally would have? Maybe. Are some of them behaving in defiance? Maybe. Are people politicizing it? Absolutely. But I wouldn’t place all the blame there. Other countries have done lockdowns, and I don’t think they are doing it because of the American election.
I would say it’s a combination of what you described to a limited extent, overly sensationalized media, self appointed and self righteous culture warriors finally finding their “voice” of power and importance that they normally don’t have in their miserable lives, and an overly sensitive and spoiled part of the population who, relative to previous generations, hasn’t experienced any real calamity before. It’s also not helping that they’ve been dumbed down, even dumber than they already were, by social media and group think.
Either way, it’s time for it to end. I was open to the “flatten the curve” argument. There is no decent argument like that for the continuation of this. We should isolate the high risk, let the faint of heart stay at home in their plastic bubbles wanking to anime porn, and let everyone else do as they choose.
August 11, 2020 @ 5:07 pm
Jake, that is a good point but, 160 million Americans are overweight or obese, with resulting health problems. We can’t just say, well, they screwed up and had too much McDonalds, so fuck em, let them die of covid.
People need to think about what is best for the greater good. Which is, wear a mask, wash and sanitize your hands frequently and social distance.
Our small business just got rolling again and my husband is currently quarantined in a hotel room after getting tested so he can do his job. Like our fuhrer said, it is what it is.
August 11, 2020 @ 5:30 pm
My comment never suggested anything that you interpreted. It was suggesting that when comparing the death rate of different countries, it might be a good idea to consider that a substantial portion of our population is already sick. Maybe now is in fact the perfect time to talk about that issue, but it won’t happen. Instead, we are being indoctrinated that being overweight is ‘positive,’ via the body positivity movement. Seems our culture has more than a few things ass backwards. That’s what happens when you take your marching orders from social media talking point activists instead of reality.
August 11, 2020 @ 5:36 pm
Jake, hey, we agree on something! I’m for body positivity if it refers to like, women who are a size 14 instead of a size 4, but not that it’s ok to be obese.
But the fact remains, we are not a healthy nation and we need to help our unhealthy people get through this. By wearing masks etc.
August 11, 2020 @ 6:27 pm
Dee:
Meanwhile, the Norwegian Institute of Public health is on record as stating that, based on its research, 200,000 people would have to wear a mask (and that’s a SURGICAL mask – not one of the flimsy ones you purchase at Walmart or the Dollar Store) each and every day in order to prevent ONE Covid-19 infection PER WEEK.
You read that correctly. ONE INFECTION PER WEEK.
August 12, 2020 @ 6:01 pm
Tex, I believe health care workers. They are the ones on the front lines. And they say, this is very, very serious and, wear a mask.
But, we could argue about this forever and this site is about music. Peace out…
August 15, 2020 @ 3:39 pm
The estimation that 200.000 would need to wear a mask to prevent one infection per week was based on the low prevalence of covid-19 in Norway and the assumption that 20% of people with SARS-Cov-2 do not have symptoms.
August 11, 2020 @ 12:23 pm
This is getting exhausting, so let’s correct the facts:
Trump himself originally recommended that states shut down back in March. Nearly all red states were shut through April.
Clearly, even Trump and the Republican politicians understand that coronavirus is a severe threat. The reason why they are just lying to you now and asking you to pretend that it is all a hoax is that they (particularly Trump) utterly failed at controlling the virus.
August 11, 2020 @ 12:27 pm
Also, there have been lockdowns much more severe than anything in America all over the world, and the popularity of the leaders in those countries has been stable or even increased. In the US, some of the governors who took the strongest measures have seen record approval ratings.
Even Trump experienced a major approval bounce at the beginning of the crisis. Clearly, the fact that his numbers have declined so much is entirely due to his own complete failure.
August 11, 2020 @ 12:41 pm
I’m no Trumpster and didn’t vote for him, but the TDS is what’s exhausting. We all know that half the country believes that absolutely everything and then some is his fault, so you don’t even need to say it. We get it. Of course he encouraged temporary lockdowns because of all the flatten the curve hysteria. The question is, now, on this date, and In relation to what this actual article is talking about…who are the people STILL shuttering large portions of the economy? Who are the Karens? Don’t bother in answering. We know…some how…..still…..no matter what….. Orange Man Bad.
I’m ready to listen to some live music, you can stay your ass at home.
August 11, 2020 @ 4:36 pm
America is not the only country where large parts of the economy are still shuttered.
Not everything in the world revolves around American politics…
August 11, 2020 @ 4:58 pm
Right, as I first pointed out above. America also isn’t the only western democracy experiencing the culture war between more libertarian minded individuals, and cults of drone-like herd animals. But no need to argue…by all means, get back in your barn, and stay there. I got no problem with that.
August 11, 2020 @ 1:36 pm
Those countries around the world have never had the sentiment of freedom that Americans used to take pride in. They used to losing freedoms and rights. Now, Americans have become indoctrinated to losing them. It is a loss that make the virus look like child’s play.
Like Nursing Home Cuomo? I don’t take the approval ratings as a sign of anything but people’s base stupidlity. Cuomo and four other Democrat governors left thousands to death in nursing homes. The media pretty much buried the story. Now if a conservative governor did the same, we would never hear the end of it.
August 11, 2020 @ 1:38 pm
Stupidity*
Hit the post button before I could proofread.
Bring back the EDIT button!
August 11, 2020 @ 2:03 pm
Both good points. I’d also like to see any comparisons done with the death rate, to factor in the average American diet, obesity, and the diabetes epidemic. Somehow NOBODY wants to talk about that. How come?
August 11, 2020 @ 4:34 pm
We can disagree about how to solve the coronavirus crisis, but it is essential to stick to the facts and not act as if this whole situation, which has transformed the lives of billions around the world, is some hoax designed for American political purposes.
August 13, 2020 @ 11:59 am
Something can be real and be used for political purposes. The Democrats absolutely are using COVID-19 for political purposes. To deny otherwise is be ignorant.
August 11, 2020 @ 9:43 pm
Wow, this country is filled with moronic babies. Sad to see us go from a super power to a punch line. The above thread about explains it.
August 11, 2020 @ 9:31 am
Not sure if pay per view live stream will work, so much has been livestreamed for free, plus people want to get out of the house safely.
I think those drive in concert movies are more promising, have more of a feeling of an event, not just something else to watch on the TV where you have been binging endless Netflix for the last 4 months.