David McCormick, Owner of the Ernest Tubb Record Shops, Gravely Ill in Hospital

ernest-tubb-record-shop

One of country music’s oldest, and most important institutions is once again facing tough times as the 20-year owner of the Ernest Tubb Record Shops, David McCormick, is suffering from congestive heart failure and pneumonia, and is currently in a Nashville-area hospital.

“For over forty years, David McCormick has been a tremendous friend to the artists and fans of the country and bluegrass music communities. That ‘tremendous friend’ could sure use our thoughts and prayers now,” says famous Grand Ole Opry announcer Eddie Stubbs. “David McCormick started with the company in the late 1960’s as a counter clerk. Over the years, he worked his way up to becoming a part-owner, before assuming complete ownership of the business over twenty years ago.”

The news comes as the Ernest Tubb Record Shops franchise has faced tough financial times over the past few years due to the digitization of music. The two remaining locations in Nashville continue to remain open, but regularly feature bare shelves and few patrons. In March of 2015, The Midnite Jamboree—a radio program and stage show operated by the Ernest Tubb Record Shops and broadcast from the Texas Troubadour Theatre every Saturday night at midnight—was suspended indefinitely due to financial concerns. The show was restarted a few months later. Recently however, the Midnite Jamboree announced there will be no new live shows until April 2nd, 2016.

Founded by Ernest Tubb in 1947, the Ernest Tubb Record Shops helped spread the popularity of country music by stocking country records other stores would not carry. The storefront in downtown Nashville’s lower Broadway district is considered a staple of the entertainment corridor.

Folks who wish to send get well wishes to David McCormick are asked to send them to:

David McCormick
Ernest Tubb Record Shop
P.O. Box 500
Nashville, TN 37202-0500

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