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The Red House: Bethe Smith and Kay O’Connell

The Red House on Third Avenue North has had its fair share of milestone moments since Laura and Ed Hill opened it in 2009, including hosting Keith Urban and John Mayer during a CMT Crossroads episode. But Marketing Director Kay O’Connell says the event venue’s most celebrated guests aren’t rock stars – they are soon-to-be brides and fledgling musicians.

The Hills initially purchased the building so that young bands that found one another at Battle Ground Academy’s annual BGA Jam Camp could play music together after the camp was over. Though the house still serves that purpose, it has also found a niche as an event space for corporate get-togethers, weddings, writing sessions and more.

“Laura is an idea-a-minute kind of person, and she opened this place because she just has a huge heart for kids and teen musicians,” O’Connell said. “Now, we serve so many different purposes. Ed’s a well-known songwriter, and he writes with other acclaimed songwriters here on a regular basis. They wrote the Grammy-nominated song ‘Just Fishin’ right out there on the front porch!”

To a Red House passerby, the building appears to be another beautifully refurbished historic home. But this vibrant redbrick encloses an unexpected interior that serves as a multi-functional event venue. The décor is a hodgepodge of modern furniture, original framed records, vintage memorabilia and signed instruments – all items that are juxtaposed against historic walls raised in 1877.

O’Connell said that contrast is exactly what the Hills intended.

Several years ago, Laura started The BGA Jam Camp, an advanced music camp for aspiring young musicians with a minimum of two-years’ musical experience. At The Jam, students spend the week collaborating with the bands Laura assigns them: choosing a set list, determining a band name and perfecting their songs. On the last two nights of camp, the students rock the stage – and those closing numbers are what inspired the Hills to open the business. It would give the JAM students a place their bands could play long after the camp was over.

“She has a big heart for those who love music and encourages and mentors them with that,” O’Connell said. “Laura wanted them to have a good, safe place to play their music. But it wasn’t long after we opened that people began stopping to ask if they could use the venue for weddings, corporate meetings, and other events.”

Those drop-in guests are often greeted by either Event Coordinator Bethe Smith or by O’Connell, who represent the front-of and back-of house for the Red House.

Smith curates all the happenings – which has included a Halloween-themed wedding in the past – and said the space hosts 85 to 100 events each year.

“People love that is an untraditional venue,” Smith said. “There is something for everyone to relate to here. It is a cool mix of old Southern tradition and laid-back modern rock-and-roll vibes.”

Smith said that historic Franklin charm is what leads many people to The Red House.

“We really represent Franklin, in the sense that it has a rich past with stories, but also takes a keen interest for the future,” Smith said. “We love being a part of the Jam sessions and other special events like that, and also helping to make people’s happenings special.”

For more information or to inquire about an event, visit their website at www.ourredhouse.com or call Bethe Smith at 615-973-3503.

Faces of Franklin

  • 339 Main: Tom Taylor
  • Anderson Benson Insurance and Risk Management: Darla Bousselot
  • Arbor Antique Mall: Micki Goetsch
  • Avec Moi: Bob Roethemeyer
  • Barn Door: Kevin King
  • Baskin-Robbins: Brandon Anglin
  • Bathos: Paul Barrett
  • Battle Ground Academy: Will Kesler
  • Bittersweet Primitives: Debbie Miller
  • Boutique MMM: Maria Magdalena Molnar
  • Brandon Binkley: Bink’s Outfitters
  • Carnivore Market: SJ and Virginia Botha
  • Chick-Fil-A: Jeanne Hammontree
  • City Farmhouse: Kim and David Leggett
  • Classic Sports Barber Shop: Tony Steele
  • Coffee House on Second and Bridge: Barbara Spierto
  • Craft Love: Deb Chambers
  • Damico Frame & Art Gallery: Michael Damico
  • Daniel-Christian Real Estate: Dianne Christian and Matt Daniel
  • Early’s Honey Stand: Curtis Gibbs
  • ECCO SALON ON MAIN: Lisa Asselin
  • Finnleys Good Findings: Dawn Craig
  • First Tennessee Bank: Tina Lilly
  • For Every Child: Karen Tucker
  • Foyers and Beyond Custom Flooring: Donna Bishop
  • Franklin Antique Mall: Amanda Pitts
  • Franklin Art Scene: J. Edward and Brenda Campbell
  • Franklin Flower & Gift Gallery: Debbie Burns
  • Franklin Glassblowing Studio: Jose Santisteban
  • Franklin Hair Company: Alison Wolf
  • Franklin Mercantile Deli: Graeme Asch
  • Franklin On Foot: Margie Thessin
  • Frothy Monkey: Chase Ingalls
  • Gallery 202: Kelly Harwood
  • GEAR Foundation, Our Thrift Store: Dave Krikac
  • GRAY’S on Main: Joni Cole
  • Handy Hardware: Donna O’Neil
  • Haven Sanctuary of Style: Claudia Fowler
  • Heart and Hands: Carol Bennington
  • Heylee B.: Heylee Achten
  • I Love Juice Bar: Jason Collins
  • Imago Dei: Sarah Tucker
  • Inspirations on Main: Jerry and Robbie Hembree
  • Iron Tribe Fitness: Austin Dubberly
  • It’s Vintage Baby: Amy Zongor
  • IveyCake: Ivey Childers
  • Jack Yacoubian Jewelers: Jack Yacoubian
  • JJ’s Wine Bar: Jessie Myhre, Spencer and Jill Pittman
  • Johnnie Q: Brooklyn Byrd
  • JONDIE: Rebecca and Jondie Davis
  • Kelly Spalding Designs: Kelly Spalding
  • Kimbro’s Cafe and Carpe Diem: Will Jordan
  • Landmark Booksellers: Joel and Carol Tomlin
  • Lillie Belle’s: Bud and Barbara Carman
  • Lotz House Museum: J.T. Thompson
  • LuLu: Teresa Ofman
  • Mantra Artisan Ales: Derrick Morse
  • McCreary’s Irish Pub: Natasha Hendrix
  • Mellow Mushroom: Mark Clark
  • Music City Roots: Laurie Gregory and Craig Havighurst
  • New Day Photography: Misty and Bruce Westebbe
  • Nice Branding Agency: Amy Dennis
  • Olivia Olive Oil: Christi Lassen
  • Outdoor Classic Structures: Ernie Reynolds
  • Papa Boudreaux’s: Guy Bader, Erin Wingler, Brad Bader
  • Papa C Pies: Chad and Gary Collier
  • Parks Realty: Danny Anderson
  • Philanthropy: Christina Martin
  • Puckett’s Boat House: J.T. Ward
  • Rebecca’s Furniture and Design: Rebecca Burns
  • Red Dog Wine and Spirits: Bard Quillman Jr.
  • Red Pony, 55 South, McConnell House, Cork & Cow: Jason McConnell
  • ReDo Home & Design: Mitzi Maynard
  • Riverside Antiques: Lynda McGuire
  • Saddlecreek Design: Scott Moore
  • Saffire Restaurant: Tom Morales
  • Savory Spice Shop: Hollie Rollins
  • Scarlett Scales Antiques: Scarlett Scales
  • Shannon Eye Care: Shannon Zingle
  • Shuff’s Music: Ron Shuff
  • Stoveworks Restaurant & Catering: Patricia McCracken
  • Superior Roofing: Mark Black
  • Sweet CeCe’s Frozen Yogurt and Treats: CeCe Moore and Mike Hissong
  • T. Nesbitt and Co.: Trisha Nesbitt
  • Tanya Hembree Designs: Tanya Hembree
  • Taylor Made Smiles: Missy and Court Burton
  • TBH Franklin: Travis Anderson and Taylor Irwin
  • The Bunganut Pig: Mark and Amy Goodson
  • The Cellar On Main: Janice Swartz
  • The Heirloom Shop: Elaine Thompson
  • The Red House: Bethe Smith and Kay O’Connell
  • The Shop Around The Corner: Teresa Powers
  • Tin Cottage: Marianne DeMeyers
  • Triple Crown Bakery: Alena Vaughn
  • Twine Graphics: John Bond and Brandon Hagan
  • Vue Optique: David and Wendy Shen
  • Walton’s Jewelry: Julie Walton
  • William Powell Co. Home & Garden: Bill Powell
  • Williamson County CASA: Marianne Schroer
  • Winchester Antique Mall: Kim Tuzzio
  • Yarrow Acres: Sheri Gramer
  • Zolo’s Italian Restaurant: Judy and Brian Holmes
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