One of the biggest parties on Nashville’s famous Broadway strip (that we’ll admit we’re going to) is happing Monday August 5th! Robert’s Western World is one of the last bastions of traditional country music in the Nashville honky-tonk scene. You’re going to want to come out to see this star-studded lineup!
Quick Details About The Robert’s Western World 25th Anniversary Block Party:
Robert’s Western World is taking over the stretch of Lower Broadway between Fourth and Fifth Avenues just outside of the venue for the celebration. The festivities are free, family-friendly, and will begin at 10:00 am CT, with bands and special guests performing until 11:00 pm CT between two stages. Click HERE for more event information.
About Robert’s Western World:
Robert’s Western World, nestled in the heart of Nashville’s famous (and sometimes infamous) Lower Broadway, is more than just a honky-tonk; it’s a living piece of country music history. Located on the bustling strip, this iconic venue has been a beloved haunt for both locals and tourists alike, offering an authentic Nashville experience since its doors opened in the early 1990s.
Stepping into Robert’s Western World is like taking a step back in time. The venue exudes a retro charm with its neon lights, vintage signs, and walls adorned with memorabilia. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, making it a perfect spot for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the rich musical heritage of Nashville.
The heartbeat of Robert’s Western World is undoubtedly its live music. The venue boasts a lineup of talented musicians who perform traditional country, rockabilly, and honky-tonk tunes seven days a week. It’s a place where you can catch seasoned performers and rising stars alike, all delivering high-energy performances that keep the crowd dancing and singing along.
But it’s not just the music that draws people to Robert’s Western World; it’s also the food and drinks. The venue is famous for its signature menu item, the Recession Special, which includes a fried bologna sandwich, chips, and a PBR for just a six bucks. It’s a simple yet satisfying meal that perfectly complements the laid-back vibe of the place. If fried bologna isn’t your thing, we can vouch for the grilled cheese–especially with a side of onion rings. The bar offers a wide selection of beers and cocktails, ensuring that there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Just be careful, the $ 2.50 bottles of Miller High Life don’t cost very much, but they do add up quickly in other ways.
What truly sets Robert’s Western World apart is its dedication to preserving the spirit of traditional country music. In a city that constantly evolves, on a strip that has fully embraced top-40 pop country, this venue remains a steadfast guardian of Nashville’s musical roots, providing a haven for those who appreciate the timeless sounds of country and honky-tonk. Whether you’re a die-hard country music fan or just looking for a fun night out, Robert’s Western World always promises an memorable experience.
Robert’s Western World stands in the shadow of the Mother Church of Country Music, the Ryman Auditorium – the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. In the early 90s, honky tonk entrepreneur Robert Wayne Moore opened Rhinestone Western Wear in the former Sho-Bud Steel Guitar Company building, which evolved into internationally-renowned live entertainment venue Robert’s Western World. On August 5, 1999, Moore decided to pass the torch and sold the business to musician JesseLee Jones.
By purchasing Robert’s Western World in 1999, Jones, together with his wife, Emily Ann, has fulfilled his life-long dream of being a business owner and musical performer in America, on a mission to keep traditional country music alive.
The story of JesseLee Jones and Robert’s Western World is one that we often share with our friends and family…and anyone we meet while at the establishment. It’s a true story of the fabled American Dream. From his humble, and at times troubled, beginnings in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Jones was influenced by an eclectic repertoire of musical styles. After discovering old-time gospel, traditional country, and rockabilly music, he set his sights on a music career in America. Jones immigrated to the U.S. in 1984 and found himself starting his new life in Peoria, Illinois. Robbed of his belongings on a Greyhound bus on his first day in the country, and unable to speak the language, he was taken in by a family associated with his church. Jones worked hard babysitting, cooking, doing household chores, and delivering newspapers, in exchange for room and board.
Jones moved to Nashville in the early ’90s and set about the hard work of making a name for himself in Music City. Moore recognized Jones’ potential and booked him to play Robert’s Western World in the spring of 1995. Robert’s house band at the time, BR-549, called Jones the “Brazilian Hillbilly,” and he became known as Brazilbilly. Since then, the band has gained much popularity and recognition playing as the house band at Robert’s Western World for the past 29 years, performing a regular Friday and Saturday night set.
About Robert’s 25th Anniversary Block Party Lineup:
The schedule boasts guests like roots icons The Del McCoury Band, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, and Asleep At The Wheel’s Ray Benson. The lineup also features appearances from several of Robert’s house bands including The Cowpokes, with special guests David Ball, Ruby Leigh, and Logan Ledger; outlaw country artist Sarah Gayle Meech and The Meech Boys, with special guests Chuck Mead and Nikki Lane; the Wendy Newcomer Band with special guests Carlene Carter with Chris Casello, Jimmy Fortune, and the French Family Band; John England & the Western Swingers with special guests Brennen Leigh and Ranger Doug (Riders In The Sky), and Pork McElhinney and Dave Cox.
The Block Party lineup will also pay tribute to the history of Robert’s before its honky tonk days. From the 1950s until the 1980s, the historic building that houses Robert’s Western World was the Sho-Bud Steel Guitar Company, which made custom instruments for everyone from Yes to The Monkees, and sold Willie Nelson his famous guitar, “Trigger,” in 1969. In tribute, the venue has curated a pedal steel players’ extravaganza called “Wanted for Steelin’: A Salute to Sho-Bud” hosted by Eddie Lange, with special guests Tommy Hannum, Pete Finney, Lynn Owsley, Neil Jones, Leo Grassl, and Carco Clave.
The lineup also includes Robert’s Western World’s legendary Don Kelley Band, along with a Don Kelley Band Guitarists Reunion, featuring former Kelley Band guitarists Brent Mason, Redd Volkaert, Johnny Hiland, Guthrie Trapp, J.D. Simo, Daniel Donato, Porter McClister, and David Graham. This is sure to be one of the highlights of the evening as we always try to initiate newcomers to Robert’s Western World by planning a visit when Kelley’s Heroes is playing. Kelley’s Heroes carries on the tradition of the Don Kelley Band at Robert’s since Don Kelley retired from regular performances at the venue.
And, the celebration would not be complete without a performance from the man of honor, JesseLee Jones, and his band, Brazilbilly. The band has played numerous venues inside and outside of Nashville and has appeared an memorable events. Brazilbilly has toured Europe and South America, hosted many live radio broadcasts of “The Midnight Jamboree” from Ernest Tubb’s Texas Troubadour Theater, played multiple SiriusXM Outlaw cruises, Ameripolitan Awards shows, shared stages with major country music acts, and played many special events, parties, and benefits across the U.S. As for JesseeLee Jones though, the most memorable performance was on a cold 16th of November, 1990 when he led a courtroom of new American Citizens in singing “America the Beautiful” – the day he became a U.S. citizen.
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