No Drinking and Only Christian Music During Sunday Gospel Hour at Nashville's Most Iconic Honky

Roberts Western World Has a Weekly Rule

By The Associated Press

If you walk into Roberts Western World on Sunday expecting to drink and listen to rowdy country music, you'll be disappointed. For one hour on the Sabbath, the honky-tonk known for its free-wheeling, alcohol-soaked atmosphere transforms into a place of worship with a live gospel performance that attracts regulars and tourists alike.

Roberts Western World is known as Nashville's most authentic honky-tonk, a place where tourists and locals alike can hear live country music seven days a week. But for an hour on Sundays, no one drinks alcohol, and the only music played is Christian.

The Sunday Gospel Hour has been a tradition at Roberts Western World for more than 30 years, and it's one that owner Ron Blakely takes very seriously.

"This is a special time for us," Blakely said. "We get to come together as a community and worship together. It's a great way to start the week."

The Sunday Gospel Hour is led by Blakely, who is a devout Christian. He said he started the tradition because he wanted to provide a place for people to come and worship on Sundays without having to go to church.