Tootsie's Orchid Lounge
Encyclopedia
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge (also known as Tootsie's World Famous Orchid Lounge) is a Honky Tonk
bar located in Nashville, Tennessee
behind the Ryman Auditorium
. Tootsie's has two stages that host live local talent each night; covering modern day country music artist such as Jason Aldean
, Taylor Swift
, and other popular country music artists as well as original work. Some of its early famous first customers were Willie Nelson
, Patsy Cline
, Mel Tillis
, Kris Kristofferson
, Waylon Jennings
, Roger Miller
and numerous others country musicians. According to www.toostsies.net, Willie Nelson received his first songwriting gig after singing at Tootsie's. Terri Clark
a Canadian-born country artist started singing at Tootsie's in 1987. and has since become a internationally known country superstar with hits such as Better Things to Do
, and the Warren Zevon
cover, Poor Poor Pitiful Me
.
Originally named Mom's, Tootsie Bess bought the future honky tonk in 1960. The name however, came later when to her surprise a painter painted the lounge orchid. Subsequently, the name was changed to Tootsie's Orchid Lounge and to date, the exterior of the lounge is still painted the same orchid color.
On November 7, 2010, Tootsie's celebrated its 50th Anniversary with performances at the Ryman Auditorium
from Kris Kristofferson, Terri Clark, Little Jimmy Dickens
, Mel Tillis, Jamey Johnson
, and Joanna Smith
.
, and Willie Nelson
.
Honky tonk
A honky-tonk is a type of bar that provides musical entertainment to its patrons...
bar located in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
behind the Ryman Auditorium
Ryman Auditorium
The Ryman Auditorium is a 2,362-seat live performance venue, located at 115 5th Avenue North, in Nashville, Tennessee and is best known as the historic home of the Grand Ole Opry....
. Tootsie's has two stages that host live local talent each night; covering modern day country music artist such as Jason Aldean
Jason Aldean
Jason Aldine Williams is an American country music singer, known professionally as Jason Aldean. Since 2005, Aldean has recorded for Broken Bow Records, an independent record label for which he has released four albums and twelve singles...
, Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift
Taylor Alison Swift is an American country pop singer-songwriter, musician and actress.In 2006, she released her debut single "Tim McGraw", then her self-titled debut album, which was subsequently certified multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America...
, and other popular country music artists as well as original work. Some of its early famous first customers were Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
, Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline , born Virginia Patterson Hensley in Gore, Virginia, was an American country music singer who enjoyed pop music crossover success during the era of the Nashville sound in the early 1960s...
, Mel Tillis
Mel Tillis
Lonnie Melvin Tillis , known professionally as Mel Tillis, is an American country music singer. Although he recorded songs since the late 1950s, his biggest success occurred in the 1970s, with a long list of Top 10 hits....
, Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson
Kristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson is an American musician, actor, and writer. He is known for hits such as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night"...
, Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings
Waylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
, Roger Miller
Roger Miller
Roger Dean Miller was an American singer, songwriter, musician and actor, best known for his honky tonk-influenced novelty songs...
and numerous others country musicians. According to www.toostsies.net, Willie Nelson received his first songwriting gig after singing at Tootsie's. Terri Clark
Terri Clark
Terri Lynn Sauson , known professionally as Terri Clark, is a Canadian country music artist who has had success in both Canada and the United States. Signed to Mercury Records in 1995, she released her self-titled debut that year...
a Canadian-born country artist started singing at Tootsie's in 1987. and has since become a internationally known country superstar with hits such as Better Things to Do
Better Things to Do
"Better Things to Do" is the title of a song written by Tom Shapiro, Chris Waters, and co-written and recorded by Canadian country artist Terri Clark. It was released in July 1995 as her debut single and served as the lead-off single to her self-titled debut album. It was a Top 10 hit on both the U.S...
, and the Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren William Zevon was an American rock singer-songwriter and musician noted for including his sometimes sardonic opinions of life in his musical lyrics, composing songs that were sometimes humorous and often had political or historical themes.Zevon's work has often been praised by well-known...
cover, Poor Poor Pitiful Me
Poor Poor Pitiful Me
"Poor Poor Pitiful Me" is a rock song written by Warren Zevon.-Content:In keeping with Zevon's sardonic lyrical style, the song's verses deal with a failed suicide, domestic abuse, and a brush with sadomasochism. The song appeared first on Zevon's 1976 self-titled solo album...
.
Originally named Mom's, Tootsie Bess bought the future honky tonk in 1960. The name however, came later when to her surprise a painter painted the lounge orchid. Subsequently, the name was changed to Tootsie's Orchid Lounge and to date, the exterior of the lounge is still painted the same orchid color.
On November 7, 2010, Tootsie's celebrated its 50th Anniversary with performances at the Ryman Auditorium
Ryman Auditorium
The Ryman Auditorium is a 2,362-seat live performance venue, located at 115 5th Avenue North, in Nashville, Tennessee and is best known as the historic home of the Grand Ole Opry....
from Kris Kristofferson, Terri Clark, Little Jimmy Dickens
Little Jimmy Dickens
James Cecil Dickens , better known as Little Jimmy Dickens, is an American country music singer famous for his humorous novelty songs, his small size, 4'11" , and his rhinestone-studded outfits...
, Mel Tillis, Jamey Johnson
Jamey Johnson
Jamey Johnson is an American Grammy Award nominated country music artist. Signed to BNA Records in 2005, Johnson made his debut with his single "The Dollar," the title track to his 2006 album The Dollar...
, and Joanna Smith
Joanna Smith
Joanna Smith is an American country music singer. After dropping out of Auburn University to pursue her music career she joined Mustang Sally at age eighteen. After leaving the band she began songwriting and recording demos...
.
Tootsie's Wall of Fame
Plastered throughout the venue are pictures and memorabilia of past and present individuals that have influenced country music. There are many pictures of Country Music artist, many signed. Some of the pictures include the likes of Hank Williams Sr, Patsy ClinePatsy Cline
Patsy Cline , born Virginia Patterson Hensley in Gore, Virginia, was an American country music singer who enjoyed pop music crossover success during the era of the Nashville sound in the early 1960s...
, and Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
.