Lyrix - The Best New Club

In Town

by Dan Harr

Great food, great music and a great view are all combined in one place - Lyrix, located at the corner of 1st Ave. S. and Peabody St. in Nashville, four blocks south of Broadway.  Deciding to break from her longtime career as a middle school administrator after the death of her husband, owner Tanya Dryman opened Lyrix with one goal in mind - have a place where people liked to come and eat and listen to good music.  One visit to Lyrix and you'll see she's definitely on her way to meeting that goal.

Let's start with the great food....  It's a family affair - literally.  Tanya's parents assist in the kitchen and, let me tell you, they know how to cook.  Her sister, Sheila, is the bar manager and her neice, Shanna, is in charge of bookings and promotions. The menu ranges from meat-and-three style fare to sandwiches and steaks.  What's nice is the price - averaging $2.50 to $16.95, it's affordable for both the working songwriter (who everybody knows is poor) or the family wanting a night out of good food and music.  And when you've finished your meal, don't forget to try the homemade banana pudding... it's outta this world.

 

Hit songwriter James Slater and his band

Music - If you like listening to hit songwriters play alongside up-and-coming tunesmiths, you'll like Lyrix.  In just three short months, the likes of Rivers Rutherford (Brad Paisley - When I Get Where I'm Going), Walt Aldrige (Ronnie Milsap - There's No Getting' Over Me), Thom Shepherd (Joe Nichols - Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off) and more have graced the stage in the new venue, with many more to come.  Songwriters around Nashville are all talking about the great sound in the room, and expect Lyrix to remain on the scene as a major songwriter venue for a long time to come.  The one drawback for the place is the capacity... space is limited and the room seats only about 125 to 150 people - about the same size as the Bluebird.  (Then again, if Lyrix becomes comparable to Bluebird, perhaps the small venue size really isn't a drawback after all.)

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights, songwriters fill the room with music from 7:00pm until - well, until everyone plays and feels like going home (which, several times, has been in the wee hours of the morning).  Thursdays are booked for special events nights, like CD release parties, showcases and more.  Fridays and Saturdays, bands rock the house and keep things hopping.  Additionally, plans are in the works for dinner shows on Friday from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.

Great View - While you're eating dinner and listening to a hit songwriter play your favorites, you'll be bedazzled by the view out of the north and east-facing glass wall... Well, it's not really a glass wall, but it might as well be.  The large shin-to-ceiling windows give a view of downtown Nashville, the walking bridge, Cumberland river and LP Stadium unmatched by any music club in town.  There is a porch attached to the building on the north side, and I sat out there one night listening to the Kenny Chesney concert at the Coliseum.  I was able to hear the music as well as if I'd paid my hard-earned money to get a front row seat.

So, once again... if you like great food, great music and a great view, visit Lyrix (formerly Ga'Dang) and make a night of it.  You won't be disappointed.  Oh yeah... one other thing - there is wireless internet access so come on in, log on and get your work done while enjoying the food and music.