David McCormick, Owner of the Ernest Tubb Record Shops, Gravely Ill in Hospital
One of country music’s oldest, and most important institutions is once again facing tough times as the 20-year owner of the Ernest Tubb Record Shops, David McCormick, is suffering from congestive heart failure and pneumonia, and is currently in a Nashville-area hospital.
“For over forty years, David McCormick has been a tremendous friend to the artists and fans of the country and bluegrass music communities. That ‘tremendous friend’ could sure use our thoughts and prayers now,” says famous Grand Ole Opry announcer Eddie Stubbs. “David McCormick started with the company in the late 1960’s as a counter clerk. Over the years, he worked his way up to becoming a part-owner, before assuming complete ownership of the business over twenty years ago.”
The news comes as the Ernest Tubb Record Shops franchise has faced tough financial times over the past few years due to the digitization of music. The two remaining locations in Nashville continue to remain open, but regularly feature bare shelves and few patrons. In March of 2015, The Midnite Jamboree—a radio program and stage show operated by the Ernest Tubb Record Shops and broadcast from the Texas Troubadour Theatre every Saturday night at midnight—was suspended indefinitely due to financial concerns. The show was restarted a few months later. Recently however, the Midnite Jamboree announced there will be no new live shows until April 2nd, 2016.
Founded by Ernest Tubb in 1947, the Ernest Tubb Record Shops helped spread the popularity of country music by stocking country records other stores would not carry. The storefront in downtown Nashville’s lower Broadway district is considered a staple of the entertainment corridor.
Folks who wish to send get well wishes to David McCormick are asked to send them to:
David McCormick
Ernest Tubb Record Shop
P.O. Box 500
Nashville, TN 37202-0500
December 29, 2015 @ 2:27 pm
So sad to hear. Best wishes.
December 29, 2015 @ 5:28 pm
Great place. Not included in the article is more details of the other location in music valley. That’s where the midnight jamboree was. It is also on Sunday morning where Nashville cowboy church is. That is also streamed on wsm and online. Joanne cash is there every week as her husband is the pastor, dr Harry Yates. It’s usually more of the place I visit in town, than the downtown location. Each time I still enjoy looking at his old bus, and many of the belt buckles. The influence he had on the many major names over the years.
I hope dave comes out of this ok.
December 30, 2015 @ 12:54 am
Here’s hoping that he recovers fully and continues to live healthily for a long time to come.
December 30, 2015 @ 9:04 am
Well, this is sad. Prayers to Mr. McCormick and his family.
I hadn’t heard that the amount of locations was down to just two, but it makes sense. I went looking for the store that Google claimed was in Branson, Missouri, but couldn’t find it. After putting it in the GPS, it led us to a Walmart parking lot that used to be where the store was located. I can’t think of a more apt illustration of the way the world’s going than that, for better or worse.
December 30, 2015 @ 10:33 am
This is very sad.
I know most of the people at both of these stores.
December 31, 2015 @ 6:45 pm
This is definitely sad to hear. I visited the shop on lower Broadway in October of 2014 while I was on vacation and was definitely amazed at the variety of artists they featured (even if the shelves were mostly empty 🙁 )
I even talked with some of the clerks there who recommended other cool places to visit while I was in Nashville as well as places to eat. Definitely a friendly place. As someone who prefers physical music to digital, the news of the financial instability within the shop saddens me, not to mention the news of David’s health now. I hope he gets better. I will definitely keep him in my thoughts and prayers in the coming weeks.
November 2, 2019 @ 8:15 pm
David; this is Alec Walker, from Gatlinburg. I’m so sorry to hear about your illnesses. I’ll keep you in my prayers. And hoping for a strong recovery. Your old friend, Alec
February 13, 2023 @ 3:39 am
HELLO ALEC,
LONG TIME NO SEE! HOPE YOU ARE WELL.
March 11, 2022 @ 11:01 pm
I remember you David when you started working @ the Ernest Tubb Record Shop in 1964. Freddie was doing the packing and shipping of the records and I did the sales and preparing for the Midnight Jamboree. I was there for three years and had a great time, I did the royalty checks for the artists. The Trooperdors would always bring me gifts from their road trips..Dot Jones
September 27, 2024 @ 7:58 am
David,so sorry to hear of your illness.you are in our prayers.God bless you and your family.I remember with joy our meeting in Ballymena hotel,with Jean and Leona.once again. God Bless. David MCConnell.