San Marcos music venue Cheatham Street Warehouse has been sold to country musician Randy Rogers.
Central Texas music icon Kent Finlay started the venue in 1974 at 119 Cheatham St., San Marcos. It helped launch the careers of George Strait, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Rogers, among others.
Finlay died in 2015, which for some created uncertainty about the future of the venue.
Charlie Stout, a songwriter who hosts Unhappy Hour, a monthly songwriters workshop on the first Monday of each month at Cheatham Street Warehouse, said he is “thrilled” about Rogers’ purchase of the venue.
“Right after Kent died, that was the big question: ‘What’s going to happen next with Cheatham Street?’” Stout said. “We would stay up late wondering and worrying what would happen. The only thing that set our minds at ease was, ‘Well, maybe Randy could buy it.’”
Stout said he has full confidence that Rogers will respect the legacy Finlay created through the venue, citing help Finlay gave to Rogers early in the country star’s career.
“Cheatham Street is a place I will continue to tell musicians in Texas to go to develop their songwriting skills,” Stout said.
“Knowing that Cheatham Street’s legacy will stay intact under the love and care of Randy Rogers fills all of our hearts,” Kent’s eldest daughter, Jenni, said in a statement posted on KOKE FM's website. “Randy came up performing at Dad’s beloved Songwriters Night, and it’s only fitting that he takes the helm. We’re so excited about the next chapter for Cheatham Street.”
“I plan on honoring Kent in every way with my plans and vision for Cheatham,” Rogers said. “This means so much to me personally.”
