Sources: The Ernest Tubb Record Shop to Reopen

On May 3rd, 2022, the Ernest Tubb Record Shop celebrated its 75th Anniversary of being open for business, marking the festivities by holding a special edition of the Midnite Jamboree with multiple performances. Then the establishment promptly turned around and closed its doors, presumably for good.
The country music landmark had become embroiled in a legal dispute between the previous owner David McCormick, and the new owners JesseLee Jones and Emily Ann Cousins of Robert’s Western World. What first appeared to be the perfect deal to preserve the property and business by transferring it to JesseLee Jones ended up with the respective parties announcing the Ernest Tubb Record Shop would be closing, and put up for sale.
“It’s with great sadness that we share the news that the Ernest Tubb Record Shop — building and business — will be sold,” the March 11th statement said conclusively. “Due to changes in circumstances out of our control, it’s now clear the best way forward is to sell the business and the real estate.”
But over the past few days, the previous owner, David McCormick, and people close to him have been signaling that hope springs eternal, and the Ernest Tubb Record Shop will be opening its doors once again, and soon.
While commenting on an article here at Saving Country Music on Sunday, May 8th, David McCormick said, “Too bad there are those out there who want to make up lies with their opinion. On a lighter note, the record shop will be reopening.”
Then On Monday (5-9), former Ernest Tubb Record Shop music buyer and recording musician Cliff Gerken said, “Hundreds of news articles…Thousands of fans…Multiple petitions…And wonderful people who love country music and prayed for it’s heritage… Great news! The Ernest Tubb Record Shop is not closing!! They will be reopening soon!! Details will be forthcoming!!”
Unfortunately, further information is not available at this time, and numerous attempts to confirm the news with David McCormick or clarify the details have not been responded to.
However, Saving Country Music did contact the Davidson County Probate Court, where the legal dispute between David McCormick and JesseLee Jones is being litigated as part of a David McCormick conservatorship. Though the court documents in the case remain sealed, the court clerk was able to confirm that on Tuesday, May 10th, there was court action in the case awarding fees between the respective parties, and once again sealing the documents in the case. Often lawyer and legal fees are awarded once a lawsuit has been resolved, or is nearing resolution, though there has been no confirmation this is the case with this lawsuit.
Since the court documents are sealed and there may be non-disclosure agreements in place, the respective parties my not be at liberty to speak about what is happening with the legal action surrounding the Ernest Tubb Record Shop even if there has been some resolution.
Did all the news stories, public outcry, petition signatures, and social media posts pressure the court and the litigants to find a solution that didn’t include liquidating one of the most important living pieces of country music history? We just don’t know at the moment, nor do we know when the Ernest Tubb Record Shop may re-open its doors, and what the ownership/management of the business may be.
But after saying in a statement in March that the business and building would be liquidated in the “spring,” and it now being May 10th with still no news on a pending sale, perhaps a resolution has been found to keep the Ernest Tubb Record Shop in tact, at least for now.
Stay tuned to Saving Country Music for further details on the Ernest Tubb Record Shop when they become available.
May 10, 2022 @ 6:29 pm
Mr. David McCormick.
Way to do it. Thank you
Trigger,
Way to bite down on that bone, & not let go.
May 10, 2022 @ 6:52 pm
What else can I say but “Thanks, thanks a lot” for making my day with this news, Trigger!
May 10, 2022 @ 8:14 pm
Sounds great to me. I’ve never been there but if it reopens, I plan on going.
May 10, 2022 @ 9:14 pm
Sounds good to me!
May 12, 2022 @ 1:35 am
It a great day to hear the Ernest Tubb shop will remain open. Even though I’m from Ireland I’ve never visited the shop I have grown up watching programmes and documentaries about this shop and it’s history of music especially the midnight jamboree shows with patsy cline and Loretta Lynn and so many other famous singers. I hope to visit it in October this year as I’m heading to nashville for a few days. Once again on keeping the shop and it’s history in country music alive.
June 1, 2022 @ 1:52 pm
Thank you Mr McCormick. I’ve been to ET Record Shop many times. It’s so sad to hear it was closing. Classic Country Music should be preserved. And ET Record Shop is vital in keeping Country Music alive. Nashville would not be the same without it.
May 11, 2022 @ 4:12 am
THIS IS GREAT NEWS! ????????????
May 11, 2022 @ 5:32 am
This is great news.
May 11, 2022 @ 9:29 am
Speculating. Which, yes i know, not always a good idea.
But, wondering – if the record shop will be within the walls of the current location, sharing space with a new business.
If so, will it be relegated to another floor. Or, much smaller square footage.
When shooting for an O, we don’t want sparkler size, & there you go …
We shoot for stratospheric fireworks.
In this case, leave the record shop on the 1st floor, same square footage.
May 11, 2022 @ 6:18 pm
If the “Midnite Jamboree” stage is still there, it probably wouldn’t be too much trouble to open up another honky-tonk (which is the LAST thing Lower Broadway needs).
May 11, 2022 @ 6:44 pm
@trevistrat.
Thinking might get us into all kinds of trouble, here …
However, would it not be Ultra Cool to have the “Midnite Jamboree” stay right where it is, with the Opry after party heading down to Broadway, every Saturday night?
Didn’t Dallas, & the long suffering Mrs. Wayne recently move to Nashville?
What perfect timing!
Dallas could (if the long suffering Mrs. Wayne gives her blessing) broadcast live from Ernest Tubb’s Record Shop. It could be snapped up by Willie’s Roadhouse, or WSM. Whomever would have a strong enough broadcast signal to reach the Americas.
(Looking at you Sirius)
May 11, 2022 @ 11:28 am
What promising news! Thanks for the update – Pass the booze!!!
May 12, 2022 @ 4:11 pm
Thanx Lord, for hearing our prayers not to have ET’s store close.
May 12, 2022 @ 6:59 pm
I hope this all works out.
May 13, 2022 @ 10:53 am
Wonderful news!!!!!
May 14, 2022 @ 2:56 pm
Such good news. Lower broad would never be the same. We need to preserve it for sure.
May 15, 2022 @ 10:51 am
This is great news.
I went to both locations for years on a regular basis. Each was iconic in its own right.
Unfortunately, the businesses died on the vine. I was sad to witness.
This is exciting news.
May 15, 2022 @ 10:10 pm
Ive Been to 3 of the Ernest Tubb Record Shop locations. Ive been to a couple a few times and sat in the audience for the Midnight Jamboree. 25 years ago with my father.
I got turned on to the ET midnight jamboree by my father 50 years ago. Every Saturday night at Midnight if Marty Robbins wouldn’t go over his time slot at the Opry. I’d tune in by ways of am Radio 650. By my bed,in my truck,and on the river pole fishing for catfish and running trot lines . Jimmie Rodgers songs,ET,Justin Tubb,Glenn Tubb,Jennifer Heron,Carol Lee Cooper and Johnny Russell,I listened to them all almost every Saturday night and on wsmonline the last decade.
I’ve been sick and been praying. Thanks for keeping me updated.
May 17, 2022 @ 1:27 pm
I hope and pray that is true. That would be wonderful news. I’ve been heartsick about it’s closing in the first place. It’s a part of Ernest Tubbs Legacy. It needs to stay open to help keep the history of historic Downtown Nashville Alive.
May 17, 2022 @ 3:29 pm
I’ve gone from being genuinely sad at hearing the news of the closing to rather indifferent to the talk it will stay open thanks to all the info posted on this site about the history of what’s been going on there and not just recently. Are any of the fired employees getting their jobs back? If not, I’m not interested in what happens to it.
ET is long gone and it appears his family isn’t that involved with the operation. To me, it’s kind of a half-hearted “tribute show” and not the real thing. It seems a brick and mortar equivalent to country music today, same name but different soul. I hope if it goes on it will continue to be focused on true country music and not the modern slop like the Opry now is, or that ridiculous Circle channel.
August 14, 2022 @ 3:36 am
i sure hope you all get this fixed so I can make this trip up there
August 22, 2022 @ 7:16 am
Doesn’t anyone know when the earnest tubb will reopen
August 22, 2022 @ 7:58 am
There is no re-open date at the moment. The new owners appear to still be in the planning phase. As soon as we hear something official, I’ll be letting everyone know.
September 30, 2022 @ 5:07 pm
How long does this take to reopen. Come on please there are cds I want
January 9, 2023 @ 10:39 am
Thank you David McCormick. I sincerely hope that you do re-open. As you are aware, I have been in the Ernest Tubb Record Shop many, many times and have purchased many, many records from the store. As a matter of fact, I have not purchased a record since there closing. However, when they re-open, I will purchase many, many more records and CD’s. Kenneth Kinnear
July 10, 2023 @ 3:00 pm
The Record Shop reopens is the best news. Name a country music legend that did not attend the midnight jamboree, there is not one, they were all there.