• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu

BREAKING: Longtime Songwriter Hotspot Douglas Corner Closing Permanently

May 28, 2020/by Jessica Nicholson


Nashville’s Douglas Corner Cafe, a longtime favorite spot for music lovers and songwriters, will close its doors for good, according to owner Mervin Louque.

Louque made the announcement on Thursday (May 28) via a video on Douglas Corner’s official Facebook page.

Louque opened Douglas Corner 33 years ago, in 1987, alongside businessman Rick Martin. Since then, the 8th Ave. S. venue has become a place where artists including Alan Jackson, Trisha Yearwood, Billy Dean, Blake Shelton, John Berry and more held early showcases. The venue’s regular songwriter showcases have drawn regular business for years.

According to the Douglas Corner Cafe’s official site, Garth Brooks held his first fan club party at the venue, performing with his band. He presented Louque with the printing plate that was used to make the Fan Fair posters for the event—that plate still hangs on the wall at Douglas Corner.

Others who have performed at the venue include Eric Church, Keith Urban, John Prine and more.

Douglas Corner has been closed since March 15, as have numerous restaurants in Nashville as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Unlike other venues, its doors won’t be reopening.
“This has been a hard decision and a lot of prayer has gone into this. I came off the road many years ago from doing engineering,” says Louque, who served as a recording engineer for years before opening Douglas Corner, with credits including The Bellamy Brothers, Barbara Mandrell and more.

In the video, Louque thanked the club’s servers, sound techs, and more who helped operate Douglas Corner on a day-to-day basis. “It breaks my heart, but there comes a time when we all need to move on and do other things and that’s my time now…I’m proud of the legacy this place is leaving,” he said.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Jessica Nicholson
Jessica Nicholson
Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.
Jessica Nicholson
Latest posts by Jessica Nicholson (see all)
  • CMA Honors Robert Deaton With Chairman’s Award - December 4, 2020
  • Nashville Symphony, Nashville Musicians Association Reach Agreement - December 4, 2020
  • Zach Williams’ “Chain Breaker” Is Most-Added On ‘MusicRow’ CountryBreakout Radio Chart - December 4, 2020
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
0 0 Jessica Nicholson https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Jessica Nicholson2020-05-28 13:54:042020-10-08 13:57:24BREAKING: Longtime Songwriter Hotspot Douglas Corner Closing Permanently
You might also like
BMI Toasts "Come Back Song" Team
Bobby Karl Works The 2017 SESAC Nashville Music Awards
Bobby Karl Works The 2017 BMI Country Awards
Charting A Combined Course: Singles And Album Sales by Artist
Emmylou Harris To Celebrate Opry Anniversary
Songwriter Harley Allen Passes [Updated]

RECENT NEWS

  • MusicRow Weekly (News, Charts, More…) July 11, 2025
  • Riley Green Releases Acoustic EP ‘Midtown Sessions’ July 11, 2025
  • George Strait & Vaqueros Del Mar Slate ‘Strait To The Heart’ Benefit For Flood Victims July 11, 2025
  • Porter’s Call Unveils Lineup For 16th Annual “Evening Of Stories” In September July 11, 2025
  • Marcus King Band’s New Album ‘Darling Blue’ On Deck For September July 11, 2025
  • The Band Loula Offers Nostalgic Postcard From Home On New EP July 11, 2025
  • Trace Adkins, Jamey Johnson & More Salute Charlie Daniels On ‘Opry 100 Honors’ July 11, 2025
  • Lanie Gardner Slates Sophomore Record For September July 11, 2025
  • Marfa Inks With Ascend Music July 11, 2025
  • Luke Bryan Rises To No. 1 On MusicRow Radio Chart July 11, 2025

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2025 Music Row Enterprises, LLC - Enfold WordPress Theme by Kriesi
Website hosted by Nashville web design company, All My Web Needs.
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to X
  • Link to Instagram
Scroll to top