Unique music, dining and entertainment venue features concert-quality productions
NASHVILLE – On June 21, Ole Red celebrated the opening of its new 5,500-square-foot location at Nashville International Airport® (BNA®). The live music entertainment venue and brand inspired by Blake Shelton’s hit song “Ol’ Red” brings plenty of food, fun, and live music to the airport, offering a unique music and dining experience, morning to night.
Leaders from Ryman Hospitality Properties, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, and Fraport USA joined for a special toast with Ole Red Ale to mark the first Ole Red in a major U.S. airport and fifth location. Singer/songwriter and recording country artist Bailey Callahan also lit up the stage throughout the day as the featured musical guest.
“On behalf of the team at Ryman Hospitality Properties, I want to commend the Nashville Airport Authority and Fraport for designing an airport experience that showcases the best of what Nashville has to offer in such a welcoming environment,” said Pete Weien, SVP & Chief Operating Officer for Opry Entertainment Group. “We are pleased that Ole Red is now a part of helping BNA passengers make the most of their experience from the moment they set foot in Nashville until they board their flight home at the end of their stay in Music City.”
A satellite location of its flagship on Lower Broadway, live music is a centerpiece of Ole Red’s new space in Concourse C. It houses the biggest stage of any restaurant/bar at the airport, seating for nearly 200 patrons and concert-quality acoustics. The venues showcase hand-selected country artists.
“We are extremely proud to have Ole Red as a part of our new reimagined concessions program,” said Doug Kreulen, president and CEO of BNA. “BNA is the first and last impression passengers get of our city, and it’s important for us to have consistency in what we offer both in Music City and BNA. Ole Red is a prime example of the culture of our city: country music, good food, and southern hospitality. We’re thrilled to welcome Ole Red into BNA!”
With the same scratch-made menu items, signature drinks, and Shelton flavors as the other Ole Red locations, the airport offers fliers a unique experience. Head Chef Jason “Punchy” Stuart created a new menu for the airport location with Ole Red staples like the Redneck Nachos and Austin Brisket Sandwich plus new specialties and, for the first time, breakfast items including The Big Ole Breakfast Burrito, the Avo Smashville Toast, and The Honeybee. Fans can visit the neighboring The Opry Shop for Ole Red merchandise and Music City keepsakes.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ole Red’s fifth location to BNA. This Music City icon is what our program is about — bringing an authentic Nashville and Tennessee experience to the airport,” said Matt Jennings, vice president of Fraport Tennessee, developer and manager of the concessions program. “Thanks to Ryman Hospitality, guests can enjoy the flavor and flair of Ole Red’s flagship in Lower Broadway right at the airport. It has been an amazing journey with our partners at Ryman, the MNAA, and our team. Thank you for providing an exceptional music and dining experience for guests at BNA and a big taste of Music City.”
About Ole Red
Ole Red is a lifestyle and entertainment brand inspired by Blake Shelton’s clever, irreverent third chart hit, “Ol’ Red.” Its bar, restaurant and live music venues showcase hand-selected country music talent alongside concert-quality production and a Shelton-inspired menu for a unique experience that is “served all day and night.” You can currently find Ole Red entertainment venues and products in four locations in the United States: Nashville, Tennessee, where the flagship, multi-story bar, restaurant and entertainment venue is located on famed Lower Broadway; Tishomingo, Oklahoma, Blake’s hometown; Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains; Orlando, Florida, which opened in 2020 at Icon Park; and in the Nashville International Airport. The sixth location is set to open in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2023. Ole Red is owned and operated by Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. as part of its Opry Entertainment division. For additional information about Ole Red, visit us online at OleRed.com.
About Fraport USA®
Fraport USA is the developer and manager of the retail, food and beverage programs at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), JetBlue’s Terminal 5 at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Nashville International Airport (BNA) and Newark Liberty International Airport’s (EWR) Terminal B. A leading airport concessions model in North America, Fraport USA’s projects rank among the highest for passenger spending and consistently receive accolades for innovation and customer service. For more information, visit fraport-usa.com. Fraport USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide. Based in Frankfurt, Germany, Fraport AG is active at some 30 airports on four continents around the globe. Visit Fraport AG at fraport.com.