THIS IS TOOTSIES
Where the Music Began
THE WORLD FAMOUS ORCHID LOUNGE
In 1960 Hattie Louise “Tootsie” Bess bought the lounge called ‘Mom’s”.
Willie Nelson sang “Always On My Mind” for the first time at Tootsies.
Tootsie kept a cigar box full of IOUs from hungry pickers and writers whom she gave food and drinks to.
Kris Kristoffersen and Willie Nelson were known to sweep floors to settle their bar tabs.
A painter Tootsie hired mistakenly painted the exterior in a bright shade of purple, and “Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge” was born.
A part of "Coal Miner's Daughter" was filmed at Tootsies.
Keith Urban and Steven Tyler surprised patrons with an impromptu performance on main stage.
Tootsies Wall of Fame: A collection of photos of songwriters and singers plastered on every floor.
Kid Rock performing at Tootsies Birthday Bash, an annual block party on Broadway.
Ryman Auditorium was home to the Grand Ole Opry before it relocated in 1974.
Brad Paisley performs as he shoots a video for his new song “Bucked Off” at Tootsies.
Willie Nelson once said, "It’s 17 steps to Tootsies and 34 steps back,” from the alley entrance to the Ryman.
"For The Good Times" by Elvis Presley was Tootsies favorite song.
Tootsie Bess even has her own star on the Nashville Walk of Fame.
Tootsies Rooftop Bar was an added addition to the original structure and one of the most popular roof tops on Broadway.
Luke Bryan kicks off Nashville Predator's Stanley Cup Final Game 6 in 2017 with a performance at Tootsies.
Tootsies was considered the Green Room for all the musicians who played at The Ryman.
Tootsies served as the secondary hub and live coverage for the 2019 NFL Draft.
In 1992, Steve Smith bought Tootsies and spent 14 years reinventing the famous lounge that had declined.
Bess was known to slip money to musicians who walked in and were struggling to pay bills.
