Nashville native and longtime industry stalwart Chip Peay is a good person to know if you are a Nashville industry exec or an artist looking to purchase or sell your primary residence, whether a new abode in Nashville, a second home or an investment property dotting the sun-drenched beaches of Florida’s Emerald Coast. Peay’s expertise includes not only Nashville but the 30-A area that encompasses Grayton Beach, Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach and the surrounding areas.
Peay spent decades managing artists including Steve Wariner, Ricky Skaggs, and perhaps most notably, Alan Jackson. Now, he has parlayed his industry contacts and negotiating acumen into securing real estate deals for Nashville residents interested in adding Florida to the list of locales they call home, in addition to selling local real estate as an agent at Fridrich & Clark Realty.
“Nashville is my home and I’m a Nashville native,” says Peay, “so I wanted to make the music industry my focal point.” Peay has formed an alliance with a licensed Florida agent who is affiliated with the most prominent real estate firm selling property along scenic highway 30-A. “I wanted someone who was a native Floridian and local to the area who could assist me in finding the most unique properties available.”
According to Peay, Nashville is second only to Atlanta in the number of customers who purchase homes on the Emerald Coast. “There are so many Nashville residents who own homes in the 30-A area. It is seven hours away, so it is the closest beach to Nashville, and now Southwest flies there non-stop.”
In 2007, Peay moved to Florida and was introduced to the real estate market by assisting the launch of 30-A Resorts, a company that sold luxury real estate. “I ended up living in the area for two years,” he says. “I loved it and that’s when people suggested I get my real estate license, especially since I have Nashville connections.”
That’s an understatement. From 1980 until 1988, Peay was personal manager for Ricky Skaggs. He then joined Moress, Nanas, Golden & Peay in 1989, where the company managed Don Williams, Restless Heart, K.T. Oslin, Lorrie Morgan and Ronnie Milsap, among others. By 1993, he had formed Peay-Blanton-Harrell Entertainment, where he was personal manager and helped secure deals for Kim Richey (Mercury Records) and Helen Darling (Decca Records), among others. From 1991-1993, he was also personal manager for Steve Wariner and Robin Lee. Peay negotiated Wariner’s Canadian tour sponsorship with Chevrolet.
From 1995 until 2000, Peay worked as personal manager for Alan Jackson, where he oversaw Jackson’s entire operation, Real World Tours, including more than 60 employees.
Skills integral to his work in artist management—including confidentiality and the ability to negotiate—have greatly aided in Peay’s transition into real estate. “Working with Ricky Skaggs and Alan Jackson afforded me the opportunity to be involved in the negotiations of very significant deals, so the skills that I learned throughout my career as a personal manager serve me very well when it comes down to representing a client, whether representing a buyer or a seller,” says Peay. “I learned how to negotiate fairly and I think that is important. A negotiation should be a win-win for both parties. Certainly, you are fiercely protective of your client, but great deals should benefit both parties.”

Peay explains that in the current Nashville market, the supply of more expensive homes (in the million dollar-plus category) exceeds the demand. “There is a lot of inventory on the market,” says Peay. “Conversely, in Nashville, we have an inventory shortage of moderately priced homes (less than $750,000) in areas like Green Hills, Oak Hill, Forest Hills, and areas of Brentwood, where people are looking.”
Meanwhile, Florida’s 30-A community has seen a steady uptick in sales of high-end, luxury beach homes. “When the BP Oil spill occurred, it really hurt the economy, but now, the market has really turned around, and it’s a good time to buy.” When Nashville residents dreaming of owning property complete with expansive views of emerald blue ocean and sandy beaches just steps from their front door are ready to buy, Peay is ready to help make this a much easier process.
Peay can be contacted at 615-327-4800 (office) or 615-804-8071 (cell), or at chippeay@gmail.com.