Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood Unveil ‘Friends In Low Places’ in Nashville
Last week, Nashville witnessed the grand opening of ‘Friends In Low Places,’ a mega honky-tonk and event venue owned by country music power-couple Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. Situated in downtown Nashville’s Lower Broadway, the multi-level, 54,175 square foot space stands as a symbol of Music City’s evolution.
Unlike other country star-named locations, Brooks is not only plastered all around Friends and Low Places but appears in person. He is a hands-on co-owner and investor, intertwining his identity with the venue at 411 Broadway.
A Labor of Love
Brooks acknowledged that “two years of love and sweat” have gone into the acquisition, renovation, and launch of the venue. He is keen on ensuring that his fans and the patrons of the space recognize his dedication to it beyond merely lending his name.
“This bar is a Garth concert. It isn’t Garth karaoke,” the country star insisted.
Blending Country Aesthetics and Modern Influence
While the building’s front feels like a den designed by Brooks, the back half, is heavily influenced by Yearwood.the Yearwood-designed back half of the third-floor private event and VIP area includes a fully functional kitchen, hinting at Yearwood’s successful Food Network program, “Trisha’s Southern Kitchen.”
“I am a fan of simple and sustainable things that I’d make for my family,” Yearwood said, referring to the menu that borrows heavily from Nashville’s traditional culinary scene.
Prioritizing Safety
Brooks emphasized the priority given to safety measures at the new venue. A police substation, developed in partnership with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, has been established at the honky-tonk. In case of a medical emergency, a system has been installed that allows for an immediate, effective response. With the press of a button, the lights rise, the music lowers, and the situation is addressed. Brooks hopes that this system will be implemented in all Lower Broadway’s venues in time.
Impacting the Nashville Music Scene
Brooks and Yearwood are eager to support the local artists who will perform on their stage, which includes a state-of-the-art LED screen and the ‘Circle G’ emblem—a relic from the Central Park stage where Brooks played before a million fans in 1997.
“What you do matters, but who you do it with matters more,” said Brooks, expressing his belief that the venue will be a place where people come to enjoy not just country music, but also each other’s company. It’s his hope that ‘Friends in Low Places’ will spread a ripple of love out into the world during this challenging time.
