The Red Wheel at The Factory: Franklin’s New Songwriter Series
The Factory at Franklin has long been a destination for music, food, and local culture, and now it’s home to a one-of-a-kind listening room experience: The Red Wheel. Housed inside the Turner Theater, this immersive songwriter series blends storytelling and songcraft in a setting that brings audiences closer to the music and the people who create it.
What Is The Red Wheel?
Named after the red oven regulator manufactured by Magic Chef when The Factory was a bustling industrial site, The Red Wheel pays homage to Franklin’s heritage while turning up the heat on Nashville-style songwriting showcases. Its circular stage design mirrors the red wheel itself, placing songwriters at the center of the audience.
The Red Wheel isn’t just a venue; it’s an experience built for music lovers, cultural seekers, and locals looking for something new. With genre-specific shows taking place Thursday through Sunday, the format caters to a range of musical tastes:
- Thursdays at 7 pm: Bluegrass
- Fridays & Saturdays at 6 pm and 8:30 pm: A blend of Country, Folk, and Americana (8:30 pm shows are 21+)
- Sundays at 2 pm: Gospel
Each performance features an impressive group of established and emerging songwriters sharing the stories behind the songs they’ve written for themselves or major recording artists.
The Music and the Artists
The Red Wheel’s debut lineup set a high bar. The very first show on June 13, 2025, brought acclaimed songwriters Rhett Akins, Don Sampson, and Wynn Varble to the stage for an evening of powerful storytelling and familiar hits. Together, they shared the inspiration behind songs they’ve written, giving the audience an inside look at the creative process and personalities behind some of country music’s most beloved tracks.
The debut performance established the tone for what The Red Wheel strives to deliver: a rare, up-close experience with the creators of the music that shapes lives.
Since the launch, the series has welcomed other award-winning and emerging artists to the Turner Theater stage. Highlights include appearances by Karen Staley (Conway Twitty’s “Hearts Breaking All Over Town”), Tommy Sims (bass player for Bruce Springsteen, Garth Brooks, Cher, and others), and Josh Phillips (songs written for Luke Combs, Brantley Gilbert, and Chris Young).
More performances are scheduled through the summer and beyond, with new dates and artists announced regularly. No two shows are the same, making The Red Wheel an ongoing discovery for both regulars and first-time guests.
An Intimate Setting with Elevated Hospitality
The venue seats just 200, and guests are surrounded by the music, with a layout that places them mere feet from the artists. Premium table service is available during performances, offering a selection of food and drinks for guests to enjoy at their seats.
The menu features offerings from Greys Fine Cheeses along with a variety of beverage options, including signature spirits from Nashville Barrel Co.
The Red Wheel Experience
The Red Wheel is a standout addition to The Factory’s entertainment lineup, designed to honor the artistry of songwriting while delivering a first-class guest experience. Led by Tammy Lenox and a respected Nashville-based production team, the series offers audiences an intimate, in-the-round connection with the music and its creators.
The setting fosters genuine interaction between artists and listeners, allowing songwriters to share personal stories and perform their work in its most authentic form. Combined with attentive hospitality, it’s a space that feels more like a private gathering than a traditional concert.
Plan Your Visit
Located inside the Turner Theater at The Factory at Franklin (230 Franklin Rd.), the venue offers free on-site parking. Doors open about 30 minutes before showtime, and performances run approximately 90 minutes. Tickets can be purchased in advance through On The Stage, with reserved seating options that include lounge seating, inner and outer round tables, and community tables. Mezzanine loge seating is also available, but does not include food and beverage service. There is a two-item minimum purchase per ticket holder, and discounts are offered for Williamson County residents, teachers, military members, and first responders. Merchandise sales help support future programming, and subscriptions or memberships are available for those who want to attend regularly.
Shows are scheduled Thursday through Sunday, with each night highlighting a specific genre: bluegrass on Thursdays, country/folk/Americana on Fridays and Saturdays, and gospel on Sundays.
Whether you’re a longtime local or visiting Franklin for the weekend, The Red Wheel is an ideal way to pair dinner with a show, enjoy premium cocktails, and hear the stories behind the songs in a setting unlike any other in Middle Tennessee.
