During the height of Covid, when many small businesses and independent venues were closing their doors for good, The Grove Outdoor Venue & Drinkery rose like a phoenix from the ashes of difficult economic times. Over the past four years what started as one fire pit and a tiny platform stage in a grove of trees, has become a destination venue for music lovers across Kentucky and Tennessee.
Jason Kuykendall of Ralphie’s was a geologist in his past life, and was kind of intrigued by the space back here and wondered how we could utilize it. Jason loves bluegrass music. He’s been to Telluride and many of the big Bluegrass festivals. He wanted to build a stage and have some music,” said Candace Barbee, the marketing & Public Relations Director and Booking Agent for the venue.
At that juncture, Barbee was working a placeholder job in small market TV after COVID layoffs claimed her full time position with Danny Wimmer Presents.
She first heard of The Grove from her friend, Megan, and went to show there in October of 2020. Barbee vibed with the vibes of The Grove and as WKU grad who majored in Public Relations and minored in Folk Studies her wheels started turning about the unlikely little venue’s possibilities.
“My friend Megan knew Jason, and introduced us and never thinking of a job I started spitting out ideas about how to build on what he was doing.
“I saw so much potential in the space, and immediately felt conviction about it,” Barbee said.
In January of 2021 Barbee and Kuykendall had an official conversation about her vision for the venue, and she took on the task of bettering and expanding the dream situated in a little grove of trees at the rear of Ralphie’s parking lot.
First and foremost, Barbee knew she had to unentangle the two businesses with two distinctly different, but complementary aesthetics and purposes.
“The first thing I did was to build the social platforms. I did not want brand confusion between Ralphie’s and The Grove,” she said.
One the vision grew, so did the venue itself.
With the hard work of longtime employee Michael Dupriest, Jason and a small construction crew things began to physically take shape.
A roof was built over the bar before the 2021 season started, which was the first full season of music at The Grove.
From a musical standpoint things also began to take shape, and although The Grove has ventured into all genres to serve a diverse clientele, what Barbee describes as the “meat and potatoes” of the venue is American and Bluegrass music. Barbee has booked all of the shows, and is especially proud to have brought names like Sam Bush, Del McCoury Band and John Moreland to the stage.
Now is the 4th season of song The Grove has expanded its seating area by moving upwards into the branches. The 2000 sq ft “treehouse” which utilizes various woods and other natural elements, including the trees that grow there, has offered an even more unique experience than before. Some of the summer convert nights in the grove this summer have accommodated 600+ listeners, who come to soak up music and ambiance that’s steeped in nature and simplicity.
Looking to future seasons, Barbee knows The Grove will continue to grow. ““Part of what makes The Grove what it is, is the size of the venue,” she said. “According to a recent study I read by BandsInTown at a conference recently, 96% of concert ticket purchasers prefer an intimate venue and experience. People yearn for a short escape from the fast-paced nature of life, especially those living in gateway cities.”
However, there is more than one way to grow, and while remaining firmly rooted in Americana and Bluegrass feels and tunes. They will also continue to expand their genres and artist lineups, such as the upcoming Nappy Roots show on August 17th.
“We want to serve a hub for the community, I hope people are starting to see us as that.” Barbee said. This year we partnered with the library for Tales in the Treehouse and did weekly storytime in The Treehouse, we’re getting into hosting yoga sessions, workshops, and we’re of course open to private rentals for weddings and other things. We’re continuing our annual tradition of our John Prine Tribute “Blow Up Your TV” on his birthday, October 11th, but I am also hoping to make Local Lilith scheduled for August 24th a yearly thing, too.”
Local Lilith, inspired by Lilith Fair and an NPR article Barbee read about the event will make its debut August 24, and features an all Kentucky female line up. As much as she likes bringing new music to the local stage, she also likes bringing people with similar talents together.
“Its also always fun to introduce musicians to one another, and watch the creative energy unfold,” she said.
In the meantime, Barbee says she will continue moving down the list of hopes and dreams for The Grove and checking the boxes. A complete list of concerts and tickets for The Grove can be found at thegroveglasgow.com and The Grove socials.
