Photo Credit Stacie Huckeba
By Lauren Means (she/her)
What do the songs “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-a-Lot, “Free Falling” by Tom Petty, and “Family Tradition” by Hank Williams Jr. all have in common? You can hear them all being sung on any given night at Sid Gold’s Request Room in Nashville. Being the most supportive room in town means people from all musical backgrounds feel free to take their turn at the mic and sing a song that speaks to them. This is exactly what operating partners, Kira Small and Glen Pangle, envisioned for their bar. They took the best parts of piano bars and karaoke bars to create a unique Nashville experience. Instead of a screen with lyrics, you’ve got a pianist who will match your pace and help you out if you get a little lost on the tune.
Kira Small’s background is in music with a history of being a touring singer-songwriter, backup singer and session vocalist in Nashville. Glen Pangle’s career in oil and gas exploration was winding down when he and Kira got married. It was at this time that the two began tossing around the idea of opening a bar. When they would travel, they would seek out interesting bars and one of their favorites was Donn’s Depot in Austin Texas. They decided they wanted to bring something eclectic like that to the area.
They reached out to friends to get some feedback and advice before jumping in. Cowboy Keith Thompson, producer, sound engineer, tour manager, and 30-year veteran of both the Nashville music community and the neighborhood of East Nashville, was one of those friends. He’d taken Kira to Sid Gold’s in New York City back when they were on tour together with Lynda Carter. As luck would have it, Paul Devitt, Thompson’s friend and owner of Sid Gold’s NYC, was looking for partners to open up in Nashville.
With that, Sid Gold’s Request Room Nashville opened in October 2020. I spoke with Kira about launching the business during a pandemic, how it differs from its NYC and Detroit counterparts, and why inclusivity is so important to them.
How does the Nashville location stand apart from the other locations? What makes it a part of Nashville?
Nashville as a whole and specifically East Nashville both have a very strong sense of community and I think that is reflected in the amazing community that we’ve built in our magical little corner of Inglewood. I can’t be certain, but I also think that’s what sets us apart. There’s a vibe in our space that’s really really lovely. We’re very proud of that.
As an accomplished, professional singer, does it ever hurt your soul to host karaoke? I’m sure there are some really good ones but then there are those — like me — who aren’t the best and just there having fun.
Hahaha! No, it really doesn’t! If it were an audition, sure, it might feel different. But the spirit of this particular type of karaoke — live with a pianist — is really about having an organically good time, getting your feels out, getting your sing on. Anytime someone says, “I can’t sing…” I say, “PERFECT! It’s karaoke!! Let’s do this!” Our room will love you, sing along with you, and hold you up. It’s really beautiful and it actually buoys my soul!
How was it launching a business in 2020? We did, but ours is based a lot in the digital world whereas in the lounge business, you have to be able to be around people.
Oof. I’m not going to lie, it was really hard. Not only were we navigating being first-time bar owners, but we were also navigating how to do what we do in the face of limited hours, half capacity, masking, temperature taking, and rules regarding equipment sharing. We didn’t even do karaoke for the first six months we were open! We also had no seats around the piano and a plexiglass shield around the piano player we lovingly(?) called the “salad bar”. But we had a choice to make as a new business in the neighborhood. We followed the rules — even when we knew some others didn’t — and operated as safely as we could to show people we genuinely cared and weren’t just chasing dollars. That was a hard line to tow since no matter WHAT we did someone was critical of it. I think all of us who walked through the world during 2020 and 2021 faced that to some degree. We just faced it while opening our first business.
Your space is a very friendly and inviting space for everyone including the LGBTQ+ community. Why is it important to Sid Gold’s Nashville to maintain a presence in our community as a safe place for everyone?
Glen and I have always been fierce allies. Both of us grew up in the arts so those were our people! They still are. Some of our closest friends are part of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as members of staff, ownership, performers, and our Sid’s family in general. It’s just baked in our cake at every level from who we are to what we do. My gut answer to that question is always “Why on earth would we NOT be that kind of space?” But I know that while it’s absolutely a given for us, that’s not the case everywhere. Far from it sometimes, unconscionably. That’s what makes it all the more important for us to be a safe and welcoming space.
So, be sure to check out Sid Gold’s — your local, inclusive piano bar! Kira said even though they are coming up on their third anniversary, there is still at least one person every day telling them they live half a mile away and had no idea they existed. “Come see us. Then once you’ve had an amazing time, come back with 12 of your friends.”
In addition to their amazing weekly Monday Show Tunes open mic and Wednesday “Burlesk” show, Sid Gold’s hosts recurring monthly events including:
1st Thursday – Drunken Disney Singalong
2nd Sunday – Second Sunday Hymn Sing: “All of the joy, none of the judgment.” Benefits a different cause each month.
2nd Thursday – Bummer Night: A cathartic sad song singalong party.
3rd Thursday – Sid Gold’s Glee Club!! Calling all former choir kids.
Photo Credit Brian Goins
