Bob Dylan's Heaven's Door Distillery Helps Musicians

05/06/20 • 13 min

Bob Dyan is an icon in Americana music. Now he's hoping to place his stamp on the craft whiskey industry by opening a distillery in Nashville. Heaven's Door was created when Dylan and spirts entrepreneur Marc Bushala (Angel's Envy Bourbon co-founder) connected after Bushala learned that Dylan registered a trademark application for "Bootleg Whiskey" in 2015.

“We both wanted to create a collection of American whiskeys that, in their own way, tell a story, “says Dylan in a statement. “I’ve been traveling for decades, and I’ve been able to try some of the best spirits that the world of whiskey has to offer. This is great whiskey. I am happy to be partnering with Marc and our entire team as we bring Heaven’s Door to the public.”

Under Dylan's artistic guidance, Heaven's Door plans to make a massive splash in Nashville, TN when they open their distillery in Music City in 2021. Construction at the historic Fifth Avenue location near downtown Nashville not only includes a distillery, but also a restaurant and 360-seat music venue. Tasting and tours will also be available.

But Dylan is simply a figurehead in his whiskey venture. He's actively engaged in the process and offers his input on package design to the tasting of the product. Not only does Heaven's Door sponsor up-and-coming musicians, each September thy donate proceeds to the Music Health Alliance, an organization devoted to helping musicians obtain healthcare services. Over two million dollars was raised in 2019.

I caught up with Heaven's Door representative Terry Marshall at the EP release party of Texas Rose at Moo Country fashion boutique in Leiper's Fork, TN. Listen to this podcast episode as Terry explains how Dylan became involved and how Heaven's Door is willing to invest in music-related causes.

Heaven's Door produces a Tennessee Straight Bourbon, a Double Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, and a Straight Rye Whiskey, all of which are available at most liquor stores, bars, and restaurants.

Heaven's Door produces a Tennessee Straight Bourbon, a Double Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, and a Straight Rye Whiskey, all of which are available at most liquor stores, bars, and restaurants.

Previous Episode

Urban Cowboy USA, Dakota Shayne, Discusses His 'Ultramericana' Music

Dakota Shayne, aka Urban Cowboy USA, is a multi-dimensional artist. He writes and creates his unique brand of music he calls Ultramericana. It's also the name of a new collection of songs he produced and recorded in Nashville.

A Rich Heritage

Born and raised in Michigan, Dakota's musical roots run deep. He's a descendant of Motown's Ruffin family (The Temptations), and his mom is Native American. Dakota is also a tribal member of Michigan's Bay Mills Indian Community. This Americana recording artist is making waves in MusicCity USA and beyond with his soulful rendition of original and cover songs.

Before relocating to the Nashville area in 2019, Dakota worked as a curator in Detroit's West Village and studios along the shores of Lake Michigan. Dakota also worked at one of Nashville's home of traditional country music, Robert's West World.

Lover's Lane USA is his biggest single to date. Dakota recently performed his latest single, Summer 1999, at Puckett's Grocery in the historic village Leiper's Fork, TN. We recorded this episode on Puckett's stage before a Thursday open mic night. This weekly open mic night features some of the most incredible, up and coming talent in the Nashville area.

Dakota splits his time between Michigan and Tennesssee. After travel and performance restrictions ease, Dakota plans on spending even more time around Nashville and Leiper's Fork, where he has ingrained himself in the local artist community. One of his goals is to start a creative artist center in Leiper's Fork where artists of all types can gather and create.

You don't want to miss our discussion of Ultramericana and Dakota's plans for 2020 and beyond.

Next Episode

Restaurant Owner Jim Hagy Discusses Coronavirus Impact

Jim Hagy is a third-generation restaurant owner. His grandfather started Hagy's Catfish Hotel on the banks of the Tennessee River near Shiloh Battlefield after hosting a fundraiser for Tennessee Governor Gordon Browning in the 1930s.

After 80 years, Hagy's Catfish Hotel is still thriving. Some say they serve the finest fried catfish and hushpuppies on the planet. Jim and his wife Cheryl, also own and operate Chef's Market, a restaurant and catering operation in Goodlettsville, TN, just outside of Nashville.

Our families go back over 70 years so I interviewed Jim about the state of the restaurant industry and how the coronavirus pandemic has and will change the future of the restaurant industry for the foreseeable future.