Book Review Kent Finlay, Dreamer: The Musical Legacy Behind Cheatham Street Warehouse

Courtesy: Conqueroo

“Songwriter. Mentor. Curator. Teacher. Historian.” - Owen Temple on Kent Finlay

There are few individuals whose devotion to nurturing songwriters has had as great an impact as Kent Finlay. For over forty years, Finlay, owner of the beloved Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, provided artists a place to hone their craft while being a mentor, champion, and friend. Finlay passed in 2015 on Texas Independence Day at the age of 77 but left behind a legacy felt in Texas and beyond. His story, and the story of Cheatham Street, is brought to light in a new book, Kent Finlay,: Dreamer: The Musical Legacy Behind Cheatham Street Warehouse. 

Written and compiled by Brian T. Atkinson and Jenni Finlay (Kent’s daughter) the book honors and celebrates the man, his life, and his everlasting legacy. The first half of the book is full of stories from Kent’s life told to Jenni by Kent himself. The accounts include stories of his youth, the importance of his Texas roots and how he began doing what he loved. There are also numerous reflections - full of wit, wisdom and humor - about his relationships and experiences with artists from George Strait to Todd Snider to Randy Rogers. 
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The second half of the book is overflowing with kind words and stories - from a litany of “who’s who” in the songwriting community including Hal Ketchum, Bruce Robison and Ray Wylie Hubbard to name a few- full of love, admiration and respect for a man who clearly meant a great deal to them, not only professionally, but personally as well. 

The undeniable fact that music was in Finlay's blood pulses through every page of Dreamer, and when finished reading, you will know some things for certain. Finlay deeply loved Texas. He loved songs and the writers who wrote them, and he loved the camaraderie he found in his life’s purpose of nurturing sincere songwriters. And you will know, without a doubt, that all of the love he gave, was returned to him in abundance.
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Accompanying the book is the album, Dreamer: A Tribute to Kent Finlay, which features more than a dozen “Finlay disciples”, including James McMurtry, Walt Wilkins, Adam Carroll and Slaid Cleaves, singing songs Finlay wrote or co-wrote before concluding with Jamie Lin Wilson’s stirring rendition (along with the Hill Country Choir) of “Hill Country.”

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