Lonnie's Western Room throws 'Last Party' on Saturday

Lonnie Powers knew he was going to have a big, busy week leading up to Saturday. It will be the final night of business for the original location of his Nashville karaoke bar Lonnie's Western Room, which is moving to a nearby spot on Church Street.

But he wasn't counting on the heart surgery.

When The Tennessean gave Powers a call on Friday morning, the 66-year-old said he'd just been released from Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He had been experiencing chest pains, and ended up having two stents placed in his arteries on Wednesday night.

It looks like he'll be able to make it to "The Last Party" on Saturday, but first, there's also Friday's grand opening of a second Lonnie's location in Hermitage at 3914 Lebanon Pike.

"This was the worst week for me to have health problems," he said with a laugh.

Lonnie's Western Room has called Printers Alley home since 1988, but the former red-light district is rapidly changing. That's due to the planned Utopia Hotel project, which will renovate a 124-year-old building and include a restaurant and music component.

Powers had the option to keep the bar where it was, but he would have had to temporarily relocate during construction, and his rent was going to go up.

Instead, they'll say goodbye to their home for 27 years with a roomful of old friends. Powers said he's heard from former patrons all around the United States who are traveling to be there on Saturday.

"It should be a fun night. We'll see a lot of old faces, and we've had a couple of celebrities who've called. I'm not going to name any names, but they're going to try to make it."

Dozens of famous folks have climbed onto the karaoke stage over the years. Jimmy Fallon brought the house down with The Doors' "Roadhouse Blues" a few years back. Sam Smith capped off a sold-out gig at The Ryman last year by singing Beyonce's "Flawless" at Lonnie's. And Miranda Lambert has popped up frequently, even celebrating one of her birthdays there.

Powers isn't saying who will be seen at Lonnie's on Saturday, but there's one song you're guaranteed to hear. Garth Brooks' "Friends in Low Places."

"We hear it a dozen times every night," Powers said. "and we have for 20 years."

Lonnie's Western Room will reopen at its new location at 308 Church Street on Friday, April 3.