Looking for a spacious and elegant destination to say “I Do”? Or maybe you need quality family time with loved ones you haven’t seen in years. Perhaps you’re throwing a star studded gala to benefit a cause near and dear to your heart. Or it could be that Music City is just too busy and you need a retreat out in the quiet to write that hit song?
Whatever the occasion, The Estate at Cherokee Dock is here to make sure your plans go off without a hitch. Just a mere 35 minute drive from Nashville, the 13 acre lakefront property in Lebanon, TN once belonged to the most famous redhead in country music. For more than two decades, Reba McEntire shared the pale yellow Southern colonial mansion with then husband and manager, Narvel Blackstock. They called it Starstruck Farms, after their joint entertainment firm on Music Row. In fact, their first night in the nearly 13,000 square foot house was the night they brought son Shelby home from the hospital in February 1990. The house itself was actually built 21 years earlier, back in 1969. A few years into owning the quarters, the GRAMMY Award winner upgraded and renovated, mainly adding lots of windows in order to take advantage of the breathtaking lake view.
McEntire, who put it on the market following the 2015 divorce, finally sold it a few months ago to Illinois turned Tennessee business guru, Deron Lichte. Lichte is the CEO of Food Warming Equipment, a food service equipment provider for clients such as white table cloth restaurants, fast food chains, sports arenas, stadiums, premier hotels and resorts, and cruise lines. Lichte was so impressed by the potential of Ms. McEntire’s former residence that he has decided to open it up to the public as a premier event space.
The property is a perfect weekend getaway from the moment you turn off Highway 109 to the welcoming iron gates. Surrounded by peaceful greenery (where we are sure horses roamed at one time), the long driveway guides you into the Southern enchantment that is The Estate at Cherokee Dock. Listen to the tranquil water fountain out front as your eyes feast upon the majestic columns. Step inside and let the chic chandelier spotlight the winding three story staircase in front that extends from the bottom floor up to the third. If the curves are too much, you can always use the elevator or find another staircase (there are plenty-we promise!) If you need to freshen up, take advantage of the large powder room to your right, or proceed immediately to the warm kitchen on your left—a kitchen used excessively by McEntire as she wined and dined family and guests, especially during the holidays. And who wouldn’t, with sub zero fridge and freezer, two ovens, two dishwashers, and plenty of countertop space? And you can’t enter the dining area without noticing the specially carved sliding door that fits the stoned wall like a puzzle when it closes off from the kitchen. On the other side of the sliding door is the only piece of furniture McEntire left with the house—a large and beautiful dining table to host those lavish holiday dinners. The family room offered plenty of board games and even a pool table for entertainment following dinner. McEntire’s stepchildren, grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews all took advantage because TVs, for the most part, were few and far between and definitely not in the bedrooms (except the master). For the adults, a fully furnished bar was added by the couple encompassed by a semi-circle pattern of floor to ceiling windows for that outside view they cherished so much.
The main house has seven bedrooms and five bathrooms all together, mostly on the main level (aka second) and third floors. Mr. Lichte is designing these two floors to be unique and pay homage to the greats of country music. The second will serve as the “ladies” floor, meaning the rooms’ décor are inspired by the likes of Patsy, Loretta, and Dolly and are even individually marked with a framed photo for that finishing touch. The “men’s floor” on the third level will feature odds and ends that bring out the personalities of Cash and Garth, among others. In fact, Garth’s room was Shelby’s nursery at one time and features the elevator right outside the door for privacy and accessiblity.
FUN FACT: The now closed off closet in that room used to be an open tunnel that connected directly to the master bedroom for even easier access to baby Shelby.
The master bedroom contains a semi-circle nook for the king size bed, situated away from the sitting area. Behind the bed, heavy, dark curtains open up with the push of a button to reveal the gorgeous lake exterior. (We told you they liked their waterfront!) If you think that’s nifty, check out the master bathroom, complete with a walk in shower, plenty of mirrors and counter space, and a European style, porcelain tub, and it only gets better from there. Ladies! Have you ever seen a staircase inside a closet? Because that’s exactly what the country, stage, and screen legend had. Plenty of organized shelf space, mirrors, and a secret staircase leading up to the fourth floor. And let’s not forget the two distinct dry cleaning racks also located inside this dream space—you know –for all those CMA dresses! The closet leads into a workout room, once again surrounded by glass so that you can watch the deer and water birds while running the treadmill. The plan is to eventually convert the gym facility into another master suite. And if you ride the elevator down to the basement, prepare to be wowed yet again. At the bottom of the winding staircase we are so crazy about sits a glass encasement, where Ms. McEntire once kept her trophies and awards. And no, you could not just open the case and pull them out. They were locked from the back and were only accessible with secret security panels. In fact, an entire room down on the bottom floor is devoted to security devices and cameras. Also, on that same floor, any mom’s dream: a huge laundry room with double washers and dryers. And if you need a glass of wine to get you through laundry, just check out the chilled wine room that holds hundreds of bottles, room temp and chilled (although it’s empty now, so you may want to BYOB for this trip!) If you really want to relax, take that glass of wine into the HOME THEATRE, complete with a lit up “NOW SHOWING” marquee, a popcorn/candy stand, and surround sound. Oh! And those over-sized comfy chairs make for a perfect chill afternoon on your retreat (unless you’re getting married of course, in which case you may not have time for a movie).
Who wants to watch a movie if we are having that ideal Tennessee weather we brag about so much anyway?! Take a dip in the saltwater pool or lay out and get a tan in the cabana chairs. Grill out on the spacious patio or eat snacks at the pool house, which features bathrooms and a wet bar. Make sure you go down by Old Hickory Lake Dock at sunset and stick your toes in the water then lay in the hammock sandwiched between two trees close by. When the nights get chilly, roast a marshmallow by the fire pit and host a classic Nashville “guitar pull” (because at least one person in your party has to have brought a guitar right?)
No home of this grandeur stature can truly be a Tennessee home without horse stables. Five horse stables inside a luxury barn, through Dichte’s Dream Team, have been magically transformed into a well designed dinner space, just right for a gala, a cocktail party, or a rehearsal dinner. Above this majestic creation lies a guest apartment, featuring a full kitchen, master suite, laundry room, and a soon to be bunkroom. It’s the perfect situation for keeping the groom and groomsmen away from the ladies in the main house! And where will The Estate at Cherokee Dock staff prepare the amazing food to delight such guests? In the eight car garage of course! It is currently being converted into a deluxe catering kitchen.
Whether you’re a fan of country music or you just want to be taken on a magical journey (or both), The Estate at Cherokee Dock has you covered. This quiet and quaint landscape provides the quintessential backdrop for your event. And if you need help finding photographers and videographers to capture the moment, Cherokee’s team can help with that too as they have partnered with some of the best professionals in the industry when it comes to media, A/V, florists, and more! For more information on all things Cherokee, check out www.cherokeedock.com . And as always, check out highlights from our visit on our Instagram, @thecountrynote and in the photo gallery below: