'Those who pivot survive' Music still playing at the Station Inn

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Small music venues can now fill their space to half capacity under phase three of Nashville’s reopening plan.

The Station Inn in the Gulch has survived unprecedented times by adapting.

"We ended up changing the entire business model, and we didn’t want to close, so figuring out how to stay open when there weren’t people in here, is a very interesting challenge," said Jeff Brown, marketing director at the Station Inn.

The music temporarily went silent in Music City as places closed during the pandemic. When music lovers couldn’t be at the Station Inn, the marketing director said they were able to ramp-up their online broadcasting so fans around the world could still support musicians.

"Every day is different. We’ve been saying it since the beginning, those who pivot survive, and it feels like every week is a new requirement," Brown said.

The live broadcasts helped them stay afloat. Brown said under phase three, they’re able to seat about 10 tables, and fans have to be 15 feet back from the stage, "And that whole jigsaw puzzle."

So far they can allow roughly 50 to 80 people inside, but the square footage presents some challenges.

“The whole standing room thing wasn’t an option,” he said.

Brown said music will survive this, and he hopes the small venues can stay open and weather the storm.

“If we didn’t have the fans behind us, we’d be closing too,” Brown said.

Some small music venues are waiting until phase four to reopen. Douglas Corner announced their closure after 33 years during the pandemic.