Man Dies After Incident at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row Bar
A man is dead and a homicide investigation is ongoing after an incident at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row restaurant and bar at Fourth Avenue on Lower Broadway in Nashville. Metro Nashville police were called to the scene Monday night (8-16) just before 11 a.m. after a 911 call about a fight at the location. When police arrived, they found a man unresponsive on the rooftop bar.
The man was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead, according to police. Witnesses say they saw first responders performing CPR on the individual as they took him off the premises on a stretcher. Security guards at Whiskey Row had reportedly told the man to leave the premises prior to the fight, but he refused. Security then reportedly held the man down until officers arrived. Metro Nashville is preliminary characterizing the death as a homicide, but is not ruling on a cause of death and is calling it “unclassified” until an autopsy is performed.
“Homicide Unit detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Monday night’s death of Dallas Jordan Barrett, 22, of Smyrna, who was involved in an altercation with security staff on the roof area of Whiskey Row bar at 400 Broadway,” a statement from Metro Nashville to Saving Country Music reads. “Barrett’s death is unclassified at present pending an autopsy.”
The statement continues, “MNPD officers responded to the top floor of the bar pursuant to a 10:56 p.m. 911 call concerning a fight. The initial responding officers found Barrett on the floor unresponsive and began CPR until they were relieved by Nashville Fire Department personnel. Barrett was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.”
“Detectives were told by staff at the bar that Barrett became unruly and was asked to leave. They said that he began to fight with security staff, who reportedly pulled him to the ground and held him on the floor. Barrett reportedly became unresponsive while being held on the ground by security.”
Detectives have obtained one cell phone video of the incident, but are asking anyone else who may have recorded video of the incident Monday night to please contact the Metro Nashville Police Department at 615-862-7019.
Whiskey Row is owned and operated by the Riot Hospitality Group. Lissa Druss, External Communications & Government Relations for the company, said in a statement, “We are working with authorities and conducting an internal investigation to determine what happened.”
More information on the incident when it becomes available.
August 17, 2021 @ 10:00 am
Murder on Whiskey Row?
August 17, 2021 @ 10:40 am
I play often on Lower Broadway and it’s become an increasingly hostile environment for musicians, staff and patrons alike. Since Covid restrictions have been lifted, I have personally witnessed a much higher degree of black out drunkenness, rapid and dangerous fight escalation, patrons carrying pistols into the bars, people becoming very angry for a simple thing like the band not playing the song they wanted and so much more. Earlier in the summer, before I was vaccinated, I had a 23 year old jump right up on the stage and get in my face to play the song he wanted. When I told him to get off the stage, party due to the virus, he proceeded to intentionally cough on me. I nearly punched him out and I am about as happy as a performer as you can get. The crowds on Lower Broadway are as volatile as I’ve ever seen and it’s become a place that is truly dangerous to the physical and mental health of all the folks who work down there and have to deal with an overwhelmingly angry, intoxicated public. It is also why I will be phasing out my work down there over the course of the next few months. I think it’s only going to get worse and more violent. There’s often an air of anxiety that hangs over me when I’m playing down there that there will be gun violence and being on stage, we are a perfect target.
August 17, 2021 @ 11:01 am
I hate to say it Jay, but it’s not just Lower Broadway. It’s America. It’s everywhere. Here in Austin, 6th Street is like a war zone, complete with a mass shooting not too long ago. Murder is way up, violence is way up, property crime is way up, and in every state and city, and in many rural areas as well. You can see the rise of anger even in the comments sections to these articles. Where there are concentrations of people like Lower Broadway, it’s more obvious. But it’s not isolated there.
That said, I really feel for the folks like you who have to work in these locations. The musicians, the hospitality workers, they’re just trying to help everyone have a good time.
Stay safe.
August 17, 2021 @ 1:54 pm
There certainly seems to be more aberrant behavior. In partial defense of average joes, the oligarch/media/corporate/military/industrial complex has spent the past five+ years gaslighting and lying to average people, telling them that they are crazy, evil, racist, sexist, xenophobic, tinfoil-hat-wearing lunatics and trying to convince them that up is down, down is up, etc. Shortly after a new dictate comes down from Oz and the people have accepted it, the dictate is turned on its head, shifted 180 degrees and the old dictate is now a lie punishable by excommunication:
“The past was alterable. The past never had been altered. Oceania was at war with Eastasia. Oceania had always been at war with Eastasia.”
This has induced feelings of fear, anger, despair, hopelessness and a general moral chaos and panic among large parts of the population. So, they imbibe some Victory Gin and lash out.
August 17, 2021 @ 5:42 pm
Haha! RD. No wonder you don’t use your actual name. You’re afraid the black helicopters will swoop down and eliminate your nutter ass. I hope that you, that Honky Cracker King, and a few other fake namers, are taking part in an elaborate bit. Sadly, I doubt it.
August 17, 2021 @ 6:01 pm
Is it more reprehensible to deep throat the propaganda and tongue the nuts of each new lie with a “thank you sir, may I have another?,” or to be paid per post for each lie and nugget of disinformation?
August 17, 2021 @ 7:28 pm
Get it, RD.
August 18, 2021 @ 4:29 am
What’s really sad is the equivalent to some drunk on a bar stool playing an open mic in Murfreesboro taking a swing at the Merle and Waylon of the comments section, and thinking he matters.
August 18, 2021 @ 1:26 pm
In truth, I don’t give a tinker’s damn what people say on the internet. Just use your damned name. People should only be allowed to comment here, or on any other comments section or any social media, if they use their verified, actual name. Maybe there would be a lot less nonsense, bullying, vitriol and fake “facts” posted. Or maybe not. Di Harris posted that she pointed at people at a gas station and said Cuba is that way. Or something very similar. It was’nt recently. She didn’t mind people knowing she did it.. Respect to her. Seriously. In all honesty, that’s it. I have no respect for the fake names, regardless of opinion or facts expressed. If you don’t have the bravery to stand behind your words as you, piss off.
August 17, 2021 @ 2:06 pm
We’re witnessing the collapse of western civilization. If you want to watch it collapse at a much slower pace, I’d suggest moving out of cities where lots of Pasty-Whites live, as those areas will fall first.
Where I live, in a red county, in a red district, in a red state, surrounded by red states, in a red region, everyone is still really polite to each other; just living life as usual. But we all know something bad is on the horizon.
August 17, 2021 @ 5:52 pm
Collapse and civilization might be too strong of words. More of a slow decline of values and common sense. But either way, most people would probably agree things are getting worse.
August 17, 2021 @ 6:12 pm
As a general rule, Western countries which fell to communist revolution, have emerged damaged, weakened, but still intact, while Western countries, which supposedly “fought” communism, but were subjected to a subversive Gramscian takeover of institutions, the “long road,” have already fallen. Evidence of this, is that the US now opposes Russia from the “Left.” Russia didn’t change. The US became a demonic revolutionary force in the world because our revolution was far more complete and damaging.
August 17, 2021 @ 7:24 pm
Once again I would ask for folks to respect this forum and understand this is a COUNTRY MUSIC website, and veering into divisive subjects is not welcomed here, and directly results in the erosion of readership and commenters. Stay on topic.
August 17, 2021 @ 7:51 pm
Just remove my entire comment. Without detail and context, it means nothing.
August 18, 2021 @ 8:35 am
Western Civilization is actively being extinguish.
Demographics are changing.
Values are being drastically altered.
Hell, country music is going to be extinct soon.
Shame.
August 22, 2021 @ 7:47 pm
Where have you been? Did you miss the George Floyd riots which began in Minneapolis then spread not only around the country but to major Canadian cities, ZLondon and Berlin? And tomorrow marked the anniversary of the Jacob Blake murder in Kenosha, WI, which spawned a whole new round of riots. Then came the January 6 assault on the Capital. So we have already been there and done that.
August 18, 2021 @ 5:12 am
…And your response garnered the exact comment section reaction you mentioned in yours. Be kind people, it’s really not that hard.
August 18, 2021 @ 6:25 am
I would like to know where you are getting your information, according to the FBI Uniform Crime Report statistics we are seeing slight upticks in murders compared to last year but the murder rate is roughly half of what it was in 1990, the overall trend is way down. I think it is worth looking at the rate we receive information through social media and other sources we did not have 30 years ago when all crime rates were much higher. I definitely remember hearing about Miami-Dade county in the drug wars of the 1990’s but other than that it didn’t seem like it was more dangerous. Certainly there were fewer mass shootings. Either way it is interesting that it seems less safe now even though it is demonstrably more safe and crime is significantly less than it was across the board.
August 18, 2021 @ 6:51 am
Murder is dramatically spiking across the United States.
“The number of homicides in 2020 compared to 2019 rose by 25%, according to an FBI preliminary report. That represents the largest jump since the agency started releasing annual homicide figures in the 1960s.”
As for this year:
“The number of homicides in the studied cities is 259 greater than in 2020 and 548 greater than the same period in 2019. Gun assaults in those cities were up by 5% compared to 2020, and aggravated assaults rose by 9%.”
https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/29/us/homicide-rise-us-report/index.html
Is it down from the highs in the early 90’s? Yes. But murder is see the “…largest jump since the agency started releasing annual homicide figures in the 1960s.”
So I’m not sure what assurance it is that murder was worse 25 years ago.
Here’s the source:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/29/us/homicide-rise-us-report/index.html
August 17, 2021 @ 1:30 pm
Blame Morgan Wallen and his rebellious fans… They idolize that hoodlum. He’s probably a decent guy when sober, but his fans love his drunk bad boy behavior. Gen Z is messed up
August 18, 2021 @ 8:20 am
So now we’re blaming the artists again? A country singer at that, and not someone like Marilyn Manson. That’s the problem no one takes responsibility for their own actions.
August 22, 2021 @ 7:51 pm
Yet many of the stars of film and music during the so-called golden age had similar issues, only they were covered up a lot more because the media wasn’t as powerful at that time. One example was that Lisa Minnelli followed the path of alcohol abuse that haunted her mother, Judy Garland.
August 17, 2021 @ 5:37 pm
Sad to hear Jay. We have been there twice this year and hadnt seen it that bad. But we go on a weeknight with less crowds and stick to Roberts or Laylas. Sometimes an obnoxious drunk, but ive learned how to handle them for the most part. Now that im hearing this, i may stay away. There are other places for music. The Nashville Palace, Third and Lindleys, Scoreboards, to name a few. Most annoying thing ive dealt with are the Bridal Zilla groups. Ugggh…
August 17, 2021 @ 10:51 am
Couldn’t agree more, it’s becoming an absolute shit show. Me and the lady used to like going over every few months and spending an evening at a few of the more nondescript places on LB, but people just don’t know how to act anymore.
August 17, 2021 @ 12:28 pm
“Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row Restaurant and Bar”??
Does Dierks own the place? Or is he just an investor, or is the place owned by people who
are veterans of the restaurant bar business and gave a share to Bentley in exchange for using his name?
If it turns out that rules were broken or that the security staff used excessive force, Dierks may want to distance himself from this business.
August 17, 2021 @ 1:33 pm
When they play his latest single “Beers on Me” – you get a free beer. Ask your waitress about it.
August 17, 2021 @ 1:37 pm
RIOT HOSPITALITY GROUP
August 17, 2021 @ 2:41 pm
I used to play at Whiskey Row all the time. Dierks doesn’t own or really have anything to do with the business outside of the name on the marquis and collecting money on the licensing of his name.
August 18, 2021 @ 2:10 pm
So basically he has everything to do with it ????
August 17, 2021 @ 1:57 pm
ALCOHOL, won’t step near Broadway anymore. Hate it when I go to a show at Ryman. The level of intoxication and the resulting action of drunk people is scary. I’m not looking for prohibition, people are free to do what they want, but it’s what Nashville has turned into one big obnoxious drunk fest. Woo hoo girls included.
August 17, 2021 @ 2:46 pm
I hear you. I’ve been overexposed to the debauchery down on Lower Broad. If you’re not careful it can break the artist’s spirit and turn you cynical and loathsome of the work of performing in that environment. I haven’t and will not allow myself to get to that point though I see it all the time in my fellow musicians who spend too much time in the Sodom and Gomorrah of the South.
August 17, 2021 @ 3:29 pm
3.4 million views in 4 days- Brainwashed by Tom MacDonald-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCBNwGHPZ2M
August 17, 2021 @ 5:47 pm
That dude is a joke, it’s like great value Eminem or even better Aaron Lewis as a rapper.
August 17, 2021 @ 4:42 pm
Well, alcohol and bars. What might one expect? Maybe it’s worse now, but as long as I can remember alcoholic drunkennes mixed in a bar setting usually does not produce good results.
Although drinking has always been a part of country music lyrics, it seems to be much more pronounced today. And it is certainly pushed on the artists. No wonder so many have to go into rehab.
August 17, 2021 @ 4:54 pm
Headed back to the wild west…
“Dance hall girls were the evening treat
Empty cartridges and blood lined the gutters of the street
Men were shot down for the sake of fun
Or just to hear the noise of their 44 guns”
August 17, 2021 @ 5:05 pm
My wife and I went to Nashville for the first time this spring as a 10 year anniversary trip for our selves. No plans on going back. Full of 20 some year old drunk douchebags and their intoxicated irritating girlfriends. We were talking to the bar tender at our hotel and she told us how she absolutely hates when a bachelorette party stays there as they are the worst. The amount of drunk women puking in the middle of the sidewalk and grown men walking around who were so drunk they pissed themselves was unbelievable. A former employee of mine who was in his mid 20’s summed it up best. When I told him we were going to Nashville on our trip he said “if your going to Nashville your going to get f***cked up”. Unfortunately that seems to be all that alot of people associate Nashville whith now
August 17, 2021 @ 6:01 pm
My Sons and I have visited Nashville many times over the past 10 / 12 years, now with COVID-19 our international travels been totally cut. Keeping in touch with friends and reading the above looks like things have changed dramatically those past months, appears to have gone downhill at 100mph. Jay (Bragg) your comments along with Trigger’s I believe to be 100% correct, it’s so disappointing and disturbing with this downhill slides happening not only on Lower Broadway. Waylon sang “Where Do We Go From Here”
August 17, 2021 @ 7:54 pm
I live in both East and West Tennessee, and I used to routinely stop by Ernest Tubb’s and spend a lot of time and money there.
I would also go to clothing stores and buy boots and clothes.
But that was 10-12 years ago, and I would never dream of going to Lower Broadway again.
I also quit going to the great record, cd and book store on 8th St, mostly because of the traffic congestion.
I went to bars, including dives of all types, almost every night for 13 years until I got sober in 1988.
I think I’d be afraid to hang out in them these days, though.
This incident is certainly tragic.
August 18, 2021 @ 11:09 am
Going to ET Record Shop when it first opens at 10am is the way to go in the current Lower Broadway climate. Just get out of there by 11 or 11:30am before the “day drinking debauchery” starts.
The record place on 8th Ave South, Grimey’s, moved to East Nashville in a bigger building (an old church building), less traffic congestion, and more/better parking options.
August 18, 2021 @ 2:58 am
I s’pose the Bourbon Street ethos hadda haul somewhere since the French Quarter’s been Didneyfied…
August 18, 2021 @ 5:13 am
This is really sad. I’m not sure that working Broadway does anything for your career other than getting your 10,000 hours in performing. Some of my buddies really love working that scene but I can’t enjoy an evening when I’m seeing so many people make so many bad decisions at the same time. I imagine that it’s not too fun walking to your car with a pocket full of cash and a guitar at 2 AM either.
I’d probably go down and walk it tonight, just to look at all the lonely people if parking wasn’t so expensive.
August 18, 2021 @ 6:56 am
Funny, asI read this, I am in Nashville for 3 nights with my wife. Our third visit in 3 years. I am careful where we stay and pay more than I like to be safe.We come for the music and we go to Broadway only during the day. Was pleased to hear 2 good traditional country music bands at Paradise Park and Layla’s yesterday, and today we check out our favorite Robert’s Western World. What a better 3 night music tripleheader-Time Jumpers on Monday, Opry last night with Carly Pearce, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, Steven Curtis Chapman, Tierra, Johnny Lee, and the great Jeannie Seely, and tonight the Volunteer Jam in honor of Charlie Daniels with a ton of great acts!
The great music lives on….
August 18, 2021 @ 8:41 am
Terry you have it figured out. Thats how i roll. All about the music, i plan in advance and 99% of the Broadway joints i wont even go in the door. You couldnt pay me to go to Tootsies anymore. But you can go to Nashville and have a GREAT live music experience just like you described. Right on.
August 18, 2021 @ 12:09 pm
Just saw Pork Mcelhinny give an excellent set at Robert’s! I get the $6 Recession Special, a PBR or Millers, fried bologna sandwich, chips, and a Moon Pie, sit back and enjoy the music!!
August 18, 2021 @ 8:42 am
Probably the bouncers/security got too heavy handed with him trying to subdue and remove him.
Scary thing about punching/knocking-out someone in a bar is they can hit their head on the floor and die. This is where grappling can prove to be a far safer alternative.
I’m surprised there’s no accusations of racism involved which is a good thing.
We’ll see how this unfolds.
August 19, 2021 @ 6:27 pm
I’m still amazed this happened at 11am. What time did these people start drinking?
Also, between covid and the comments here, I’m really rethinking my desire to go to Nashville on vacation…
August 19, 2021 @ 7:04 pm
Smart woman, Dee.