The Stray Cats Strut Back Into the Ryman
Rockabilly Royalty Rolls Into Town
Few bands sparked a revival the way the Stray Cats did. Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker, and Slim Jim Phantom burst out of Long Island in the early 1980s with a sound that hot-rodded rockabilly for a new generation, and on Wednesday, November 18, they land at the Ryman Auditorium. The listed start time is 7:30 p.m.
The trio's slapping upright bass, snapping snare, and Setzer's twangy, fast-fingered guitar produced hits such as Stray Cat Strut and Rock This Town. Four decades on, those songs still sound like a wild Saturday night, and they still get an audience out of its seats.
Why You Should Go
This is a rare combination: a legendary act, a historic room, and a city that has loved roots music longer than almost anyone. Nashville audiences know their rockabilly, and a Stray Cats show here feels less like a nostalgia trip and more like a homecoming for the music itself.
Setzer is widely admired as a guitarist, and the band's stage presence is unmistakable: tattoos, pompadours, and a rhythm section that practically dances. Expect a high-energy set that leans on the classics and keeps the tempo up from first note to last.
The Ryman Connection
The Ryman is the right place for it. Opened in 1892, it has seen country, gospel, bluegrass, and rock come through, and the hall's reputation as a temple of American music is well earned. Learn more in our look at the Ryman's legacy, and see how it fits with other concerts we cover on nashvegas.com.
Because the pews are close to the stage, even the balcony feels intimate. If you like to see a drummer's footwork or a bassist's showmanship up close, this is a room that delivers.
Practical Details
Midweek downtown traffic ramps up near showtime, so plan to be parked and walking by early evening. The Ryman is surrounded by paid garages and lots, and rideshare is an easy alternative. Check the venue for current rules on bags and re-entry.
Pre-show dinner options are plentiful within a few blocks, and you will find everything from quick counter service to relaxed sit-down spots. Dressing the part is half the fun: vintage looks, cuffed jeans, and a little hair product fit right in.
Who Should Come
Rockabilly fans, obviously, but also anyone who loves a band that plays tight and plays fast. Classic rock listeners, vintage-style enthusiasts, and guitar nerds will all find plenty to enjoy, and fans of the genre's modern revival will get a chance to see where it all started.
There is also a generational angle. Parents who grew up on the band's records can introduce a teenager or a friend to a sound that still feels fresh, and the music is energetic enough that nobody will be bored. Nashville has a deep appreciation for artists who helped keep American roots music alive, and a night with the Stray Cats is a reminder of how far a pompadour, a standup bass, and a loud hollow-body guitar can travel. Come early, grab a good seat, and be ready to tap your feet.
A final note for the vintage crowd: Nashville loves a theme, and plenty of fans dress the part for nights like this. You will not be out of place whether you wear a leather jacket and cuffed denim or just your favorite band tee, so come as you are and plan to enjoy the people-watching as much as the music.
Get Tickets
A show like this invites the whole family of rockabilly fans, so seats can disappear. See Stray Cats ticket options here and confirm what is on sale for November 18. Prices change, and checkout is the only place to see the real numbers.
Come hungry for twang, come ready to clap along, and leave with a new appreciation for the trio that made slap bass cool again.
