By Cyndy Slovak-Barton
Anyone who has ever stepped foot in Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos could feel the vibes.
The place meant music. And the man behind the place, behind the bar, behind and on the stage – was Kent Finlay.
Kent passed away at 1:35 a.m. Monday. He was surrounded by family and friends, who sang his favorite songs as he was taken away for the last time. He passed away on Texas Independence Day. Fitting, as that was Kent’s favorite holiday.
And fitting because his heart and his smile were as big as Texas.There’s a Texas-sized list of songwriters and performers who sing his praises.
George Strait, who got his first gig with the Ace in the Hole band at Cheatham, credited Kent with helping to start his career. Kent and Strait travelled together to Nashville, hoping for a record deal. Even though they were not successful during that trip in Nashville, Strait continued with his music and played weekly at Cheatham for seven years, later making his mark in Nashville.
“Country music – and just music in general really – lost a great friend today. His legend will live forever in Texas, though. We’ll never forget our friend Kent Finlay. Sad day,” Strait wrote Monday.Strait’s words ring true for so many people.
The list goes on forever – Terri Hendrix, Todd Snider, Clay Baker, Bruce Robinson, Doug Sahm, just to name a few.
It rings true because these folks – along with many newcomers to the business – were part of Kent’s famous Songwriters Circle that he hosted every Wednesday night. It was a night where everyone was equal, no matter if you were a star or if you were new to the business. You played, you listened.
Kent was a gentle person who could get along with adults – and with the kids. My own child learned to love “that man with the beard”. She wanted to go to Cheatham with me. Kent would plop her on a barstool and slide a Dr. Pepper down the bar to her.
Kent was known to tell young band members what they needed and how they could change their sound. Several of Hays High’s many students passed through Cheatham – and gone on to play all different kinds of music – from country, to rock, to jazz.
Kent had an ear and a love of young people, and he seemed to know who could make it. He mentored so many people that it made me wish that I had had the musical talent – just so I could get some of his wisdom.
But, instead, I just got to sit and listen. To his quiet drawl. The man was a dreamer who had a great smile and twinkling eyes.
He will certainly be missed. But I think everyone will agree that the spirit of Kent will remain in those wooden slatted walls of Cheatham as the next batch of young songwriters attempt to make their way.

A memorial service is being planned in the near future. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cheatham Street Music Foundation, which is a non-profit dedicated to preserving and perpetuating Texas music.
www.CheathamStreetFoundation.org.