Bobby John Henry Bakery

Bobby John Henry Bakery – The Baker Of Music Row

Bobby John Henry's breads are slathered, sliced and broken at some of Nashville’s swankiest restaurants and boutique grocers. Even the Tennessee Titans stadium boast Bobby John Henry Bread.

You might know the "Baker of Music Row" from an earlier career. The Oklahoma native born in 1936 found success as a country singer in the '50s. After moving to Nashville in the '80s he logged his share of time at Music Row's landmark and musicians' hangout and hotel The Spence Manor along with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Elvis Presley.

Eventually, Henry took over as owner of the hotel, running it as a lodge where some of the biggest names in music used to stay when they came to town to record. After exiting the hotel business, Henry reacquired the room service kitchen at The Spence Manor. 

Meanwhile, to his surprise, the 60-year-old Henry became a father again and had a sudden urgency to make some dough. He took up baking, even pulling a cot into the kitchen to sleep while the loaves cooked.

"When I learned Emily was coming, I needed to make a living," he says. "So I started checking out books from the library to learn how to make other bread. I’d drive a cab during the day, and practice baking at night. I’d nap when I stopped at red lights.”

Now, over 20 years later, Bobby John Henry has gained a reputation of being one of the best bread bakeries in the state.