There is an opulent music and event venue opening in Madison after several changes in ownership, name, and vision. Now known as Harken Hall, the independent venue is now open, but with lingering questions as to what exactly will take place inside the grand space.
The opening has taken a winding road. With much fanfare back in 2019, it was going to open as The Roots Barn and broadcast the Americana centric variety show, Music City Roots.
That deal fell apart with partners citing “creative differences,” and support was pulled from Music City Roots. Then in 2022 a new vision was born called Timberhawk Hall. The vision included 100-year-old barn wood imported from Montana, hand-placed stonework and art glass windows.
Now Harken Hall is here — and still carrying on that grandiose vision, says Jamie Amos, venue president, and her husband, Patrick Kennedy, long-time investor and executive vice president.
“We followed through on all of the original designs and then we enhanced that to new levels,” Kennedy said.
Harken Hall is essentially a giant recording studio that can fit an entire audience. It has eight cameras that shoot in high definition. The roof and floor have sound-deadening material to create an intimate space. It’s got a room for artists to stay in. A lot of money has been put into this beautiful room.
But it is unclear how all of that will go to use — either as a venue that competes with places like the Ryman Auditorium, as a room that does corporate events and weddings, or another vision.
“We have all kinds of ideas,” Amos says, “like, I never got to go to prom. So I want to have a prom for older people.”
She’d also like to bring animal rescue organizations together for event.
“Somebody the other day said to me that they wanted to have a …program every week for moms that are at home and they can bring their kids. And I thought that was a great idea.”
As of right now, there are many ideas but no events on the calendar, and no talent buyer to book music.
And as far as Music City Roots?
“We do intend to resurrect that show,” Kennedy said, “and we are studying in what form that will take right now.”
That could be a long shot. For now, longtime radio partner WMOT says it’s not part of any planning.
In the meantime, Harken Hall is looking at you to fill the room. They’ve set up a website, HarkenHall.com, where you can inquire on booking whatever you can dream up.
“We just want to do whatever needs to be done,” Amos says. We just enjoy a collaborative experience,” says Kennedy.
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