Rich Hardesty sitting on the indoor stage that is in need of repairs.
The most recent attempt at restoring the Red Barn and bringing music back took place in 2016 when musician Doug Talley organized local performances there.
The barn’ s interior clearly needs saving, with little electricity and plenty of evidence of forlorn forgottenness. Inside and outside the Red Barn, Hardesty sees possibilities for the place that had sat empty from 2017.
“ The jamboree is the gateway to little Nashville, where people come from all over the world,” Hardesty said.“ We want this place to be a staple where we can bring together all the different musicians.
On May 10, Hardesty, and a list of popular musician friends, held a Red Barn outdoor fundraiser and sale in front of an estimated crowd of 200 people. That little May fundraiser generated more than $ 800 for Mother’ s Cupboard food pantry and it built awareness of the restoration efforts.
Hardesty knows it might require half a million dollars for new electrical, a new stage, and many more changes for the entire restoration.
The plan formulated by him and longtime friend and current business partner Wayne Puckett includes a range of regular fundraisers for everything from firefighters to animal causes and more.
“ That event was proof that we can do this project,” he said.
He loves the local history enough that he recently began driving the tourist train known as The Nashville Express, giving visitors an overview of the town. Metalworks artist Brad Cox, who owns the Express, sees Hardesty’ s creativity as a songwriter and musician as perfect tools to raise both awareness and money.
“ He really regularly promotes Nashville already,” Cox said.“ He has done that even on his Jamaican concert tours and on his appearances on Channel 8.”
He last appeared on the station’ s news show Lifestyle Live in March to highlight his saving mission, singing his original tune“ Little Nashville on My Mind.”
His project is far more than a song in his heart.
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July / August 2025 • Our Brown County 23