With two recent drop-ins by big-name music stars, Dublin's Bristol Republic is becoming the country capital of central Ohio.
Rascal Flatts frontman Gary LeVox stopped by the Bridge Park bar and restaurant after the Ohio State game on Oct. 10. While there, he joined local band Yours for the Taking to perform his 2024 song, "Life is a Highway."
Bristol Republic owner Brian Swanson said a manager received a call saying LeVox was planning to come by and might want to sing a song or two.
"Fifteen minutes later, he was here," Swanson said. "It was pretty cool. It's fun for these local bands to play with national artists."
"We had a great crowd for the OSU and Cleveland Guardians' games, and live music already draws a pretty big crowd. Gary was a nice
addition to the evening."
LeVox's visit came less than three weeks after Dierks Bentley gave an impromptu performance at the Bristol. Swanson said he thinks the bar's aesthetic is unique and has a familiar feel to the artists.
"There's nothing else like the Bristol in town. It's unique - the design, the way the room is laid out. It has a Nashville feel that country artists can relate to," he said.
"We have a great stage and the reputation we have here is for live music, that's what's drawing them in."
Contact features and entertainment reporter Belinda M. Paschal at bpaschal@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Rascal Flatts front man surprises Bridge Park's Bristol Republic crowd
