Here is a quote from the legendary Tommy Barnes:
"When I first arrived in Nashville in 1983, Flash had the “now infamous” Hotdog stand on the corner of 16th Ave. and Demonbreun. Back in those days it was not hard to find a friend and someone playing music for the tourist. Eventually Flash named it “Hounddogs Hotdogs”. I remember when President Clinton was running for his first turn in office, that was where he held his rally in Nashville, rumor has it that his people chose the location because President Clinton was a huge Elvis fan. That was a busy day.
I remember it was particularly during the tourist season and no time was more exciting than during the annual “Fan Fair”. It was always the center of activity along that stretch of Demonbreun Street at that time of the year. There were a number of now very famous Country Singers who at one time either worked there or sang on the corner. About a month ago I was at a number one party for one of Nashville’s biggest stars across the street from where “Hounddogs” used to be, and I couldn’t help but think about the time a few years earlier, he was fired because the left the “clown heads” out one night. Since then he has sold over 25 million records and has sold a million concert tickets a year for the past 5 years. There is nothing left there now to remind us of “Hounddogs” except our memories, and this web site. Sometimes growth and time bring an end to great simple pleasures. Thank God for memories."
Tommy Barnes
New Billy Don Burns album THE BERLIN TAPES out now! Outlaw-Country at its finest, a must for fans of Waylon, Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver, David Allan Coe, etc.
