Skip to Content

Finlay, Kent

Kent Finlay

Biography

Kent Finlay (1938–2015) was the well-known songwriter and owner of San Marcos' famed Cheatham Street Warehouse. Finlay opened Cheatham Street in October 1974. Cheatham Street became home to a number of iconic and burgeoning Texas musicians, including George Strait and Stevie Ray Vaughan. A beloved music mentor, Finlay hosted songwriter nights every Wednesday, helping to launch the careers of Todd Snider, James McMurtry, and Randy Rogers.

Texas 150 Oral History

Kent Finlay talks about the history of the Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, its creation and how it stays current, the kind of music played there, and what makes it special. He discusses the state of music in Texas and specifically mentions famous musicians such as Willie Nelson, Macia Ball, Asleep at the Wheel, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jerry Jeff Walker, George Strait, and more.

Transcript icon
PDF Transcript, November 13, 1986
Transcript icon
HTML Transcript, November 13, 1986

Full audio is available for this interview.  Request via Ask an Archivist.