A music venue hosts performances by Americana legends and up-comers from all over the country right here in Bowling Green. 

The Warehouse at Mt. Victor and Michelle Deaton Catering is located at 2539 Mount Victor Lane in Bowling Green. Larry and Michelle Deaton own the business with the help of their son Adam Deaton.

Michelle Deaton Catering has access to an 8,000 square-foot banquet room.  The Deatons host wedding receptions, high school reunions and other large events.

The Warehouse at Mt. Victor started in 2010 when the Deatons decided their banquet room would also work well for live music performances because their seating allowed for 450 guests.

The Deatons became friends with James McMurty, one of their favorite singer-songwriters, after attending many of his shows. He was the first musician to play at The Warehouse. His band performed on August 11, 2011.

The Warehouse books mainly Americana singer-songwriters, and several touring acts have performed there including James McCurty, Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, Guy Clark, Robert Earle Keen, Steve Earle, Billy Joe Shaver, Todd Snider, Joe Ely, Shovels and Rope and Sundy Best.

The Deatons try to book artists who will either do well in Bowling Green or have never been to Bowling Green. 

Larry Deaton is the concert promoter and talent buyer. He books the artists who play at The Warehouse and makes employment offers to the artists’ booking agents.

“I enjoy booking the legends of Americana Music such as Guy Clark and Billy Joe Shaver along with new and upcoming artist[s] like Sturgill Simpson and Jason Isbell,” Larry said. “It’s a really great feeling to have them in our town, in our small venue, knowing they play [in] the biggest cities in the most famous venues.”

Adam Deaton is the assistant manager and head bartender at The Warehouse. He runs the bar and makes sure the room is set up to meet the artists’ requirements.

“The Warehouse at Mt. Victor and Michelle Deaton Catering are family-owned,” Adam said. “We all work together, doing each others’ jobs if necessary, to make sure everything runs smoothly. We provide really great live music in a family-friendly venue. [People of] all ages can attend shows here. You do not have to be 21 because we are not a ‘bar.’ So, a family can come out together and watch a show here.”

Ernest Small has performed with the Ernie Small Blues band for 35 years and the Mt. Victor Revue for six years. He has been friends with the Deatons for over 25 years and has performed in several shows at The Warehouse. The Mt. Victor Revue practiced at The Warehouse when the band first started, and the band’s name came from the name of The Warehouse.

“Having performed at nearly every venue in Bowling Green over the past 35 years, I have come to realize that,  through this community’s support, that myself and countless others have been given the opportunity to express ourselves through music and develop a gift,” Small said.

“Every artist I have seen there has been awesome and represents a style of music that I am just learning to appreciate,” Small said. “[I] want to continue to support the Deatons for their efforts to bring incredible performers to Bowling Green.”

Jeremy Lynn Woodall from Waco, Texas, plays guitar for Billy Joe Shaver, who has performed at the venue. They perform in many areas, and Bowling Green is a regular stop when they organize tours. Over the past few years, they have performed four  to five  times at The Warehouse.

“I always look forward to playing there,” Woodall said. “We’ve had some magical times onstage there, and the staff and owners are probably the nicest folks on our route. We are treated like family and I always hate to have to leave. The venue is constantly making changes that make the place better and better.”

“I like Bowling Green and the people there,” Woodall said. “We run into some characters on the road, but the people of Bowling Green are respectful, nice, and fun to entertain. We look forward to many more shows at The Warehouse.”

Some upcoming shows at the Warehouse include Sundy Best on February 10, Shovels and Rope with John Moreland on February  17, and The Highway Finds Tour with Steve Maokler, Drew Baldridge and Smithfield on March 18.

Reporter Olivia Mohr can be reached at 270-745-6288 and [email protected]