A country music-loving landlady is dusting off her Stetson to make a return to the Angus bar she made famous as the “Nashville of Tay Territory”.
Joan Keith is ready to stand by her man after coming out of retirement to reopen the Nova Suite and East End Bar in Brechin with her husband Franzie.
She will pull pints again at the East End Bar on Friday – 30 years to the day since the couple first bought the establishment.
The East End Bar will open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and the Nova Suite will open again later in the year following extensive renovation.
The Nova became a popular wedding venue and its first function was actually Mr and Mrs Keith’s nuptials 43 years ago.
The couple fell in love with the place before eventually buying it in 1989.
During their tenure it earned the nickname the “Nashville of Tay Territory” because so many country music stars performed there.
Jimmy Buckley, Declan Nerney and Brendan Shine were among the big names who performed at the venue and Mrs Keith now wants to put it back on the country music map after getting the doors open again.
She said: “It’s a place that means a lot to us – 43 years ago our wedding was the first function that was ever held there.
“We first bought the Nova Suite and East End Bar in Brechin 30 years ago on February 1.
“The Nova became a very popular wedding venue and also was known by Ken Mcleod of Radio Tay as the Nashville of Tay Territory due to all the top country music stars performing there.
“We decided to retire after 18 years and let the premises but the last tenant left on Christmas Eve and after much thought we decided to open up the East End Bar again this week on February 1.
“The Nova Suite will open again later in the year after it has been renovated and the country stars will all appear again plus many more events.”
Mrs Keith, who has worked in the licensed trade all her life, said the pub’s initial weekend opening hours will extend if it gets the support of locals.
When she and her husband ran the pub in its heyday, Brechin was at the forefront of the music scene.
Bus parties emptied out on to High Street from as far away as Newcastle and promoters packed them in with the promise of seeing that era’s biggest singers, soap stars and personalities.
Brechin nightclub Flicks achieved cult status, attracting names such as Bananarama, Kylie Minogue, the Village People and TV show the Hitman and Her, hosted by Pete Waterman and Michaela Strachan.
Jill Scott, chair of Brechin Community Council, said: “This is fantastic news.
“Joan has a great track record of bringing some of the biggest stars on the circuit to Brechin – nights that are warmly remembered.
“Many people in Brechin and surrounding area will be excited by this news.”
