Keith Gale

Keith Gale has exited his role as Sr. VP/Promotion for RCA, leaving the label home after 22 years. Gale has teamed with RCA Nashville artist Jake Owen and Owen’s Director of Tour Marketing/Sponsorships Jon Andolina to form a new management company.

Gale will serve as Owen’s manager.

Owen’s new booking agency is expected to announced soon as well. Owen’s booking and management were previously handled by Morris Higham Management.

Gale joined RCA in NE Promotion in 1994. He rose through the company ranks, being named Director of National Promotion in 1997, Sr. Director in 1999, VP in 2006, and Sr. VP in 2012.

Manuel

Vanderbilt has purchased an acre of land at 1918 and 1922 on Broadway in Nashville for more than $13 million, WSMV reports. The plot of land includes the former House of Manuel, located at 1922 Broadway, where designer Manuel housed his business operations since 1988 before relocating to downtown Nashville in 2013. Manuel has designed for Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, Bono, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and numerous other artists. The building was constructed in 1908. Manuel moved his business operations to 800 Broadway in 2013.

Also on the site are the former Noshville restaurant location, as well as businesses including J&J’s Market, Midtown Gallery and Framers, and Local Color Gallery.

Previously, a developer intended to redevelop the property into a 25-story mixed-use project, until Vanderbilt purchased the acre from the developer.

The location is across the street from other Vanderbilt-owned buildings including Barbizon Apartments, Center Building, and 2007 Terrace Place, and 2015 Terrace Place.

“Vanderbilt is working with the current tenants of 1912 Broadway to ensure a smooth transition; JJ’s Market and Midtown Gallery & Framers will remain in their leases while Vanderbilt finalizes long-term plans for the site,” Vanderbilt representatives said in a statement.

Randy Rogers

On Dec. 20, 2016, Randy Rogers, along with Austin-based event production company KRR Entertainment, has become the official owner of longstanding San Marcos, Texas music venue Cheatham Street Warehouse.

Kent Finlay founded, owned and operated Cheatham Street from 1974 up until his death in 2015. The purchase was made from Finlay’s children, Jenni, Sterling and HalleyAnna.

In 1975, George Strait made his debut at the venue, and Guy Clark once sat in with Townes Van Zandt, playing well past midnight closing time. In 1980, Stevie Ray Vaughan had a regular Tuesday night gig, and Charlie and Will Sexton, then 12 and 10, would open for Vaughn and sometimes join him on stage. There was a time when each Strait and Vaughan played one night a week at the venue.

“We started out at the Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, Texas, a honky-tonk by the railroad tracks,” George Strait told USA Weekend in 2007. “We’d play Wednesday night, 50 cents at the door and ladies free. You’d be playing the song and — whoosh! — you’d hear the train go by. It was a cool place back then. We didn’t make much money. One time we left a club with $7 a piece in our pockets. But we always got the beer free.”

Rogers’ plans for the building include the addition of a permanent patio and food service.

In 2000, Randy Rogers was a student at then Southwest Texas State University, pursuing a mass marketing degree and cutting his teeth in the world of songwriting. Every Wednesday he would make his way to the unpretentious building by the railroad tracks to add his name to the “list” of those who would perform the open “songwriter night.”

Rogers credits those songwriter nights for launching his career. Rogers met and formed Randy Rogers Band within the walls of Cheatham Street, and when they signed their first major label deal years later, they did it there, with Finlay by their sides as a nod to him and “where they came from.”

“I still get butterflies when I step on that stage. I’m going to make sure other songwriters and musicians young and old get to experience that same feeling for many years to come. That’s my goal,” says Rogers.

Nashville is set to usher in 2017 with what the city does best: music. Numerous NYE shows are set across the city on Dec. 31. A listing of several top events follows:

Keith Urban will ring in the new year at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park as part of Jack Daniel’s Music City Midnight event. The free street party and concert will also include Styx, A Thousand Horses, Moon Taxi, Charlie Worsham, and the Fisk Jubilee Singers, all performing as the city counts down to celebrate 2017 with fireworks and the Music Note Drop at midnight.

Old Crow Medicine Show, with guest Dom Flemons, has a sold out show at the Ryman Auditorium.

John Prine, Jason Isbell, and Kacey Musgraves will celebrate the new year with music at the Grand Ole Opry House.

City Winery will welcome Marty Stuart and his fabulous superlatives for a late show beginning at 11 p.m.

Widespread Panic will spend New Year’s Eve, Dec. 30, & 31 in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena.

The Bluebird Cafe will bring a bevy of songwriters for two shows on NYE (7 p.m. and 10 p.m. shows), including Thom Schuyler, Fred Knobloch, Tony Arata, and Jelly Roll Johnson.

The Grascals will perform at Nashville’s Station Inn, beginning at 9 p.m.

The Listening Room Cafe has seats available for their NYE dinner and show. Seats can be reserved here.

Wildhorse Saloon all-day celebration broadcasted LIVE on national TV featuring Tom Yankton, Whiskey, Cash & Roses, Two Way Crossing, and Phil Vaught. More information here.