Kay Landry

Photo by Agata Schoenborn

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When she started booking Ashland Coffee & Tea’s bands a decade ago, Kay had no experience and agents weren’t jumping to book the unknown venue. Kay imagined a Listening Room like the Birchmere in Alexandria, where music took center stage. “Audiences treated bar-bands like background noise, so it was a hard sell.” She perfected AC&T’s acoustics, wheedled her way into a music agent’s roster and gambled on unknown talent like The Avett Brothers. “The buzz went around: We had a great-sounding room where performers were treated with respect and Southern hospitality.” Musicians just want to be heard, she observes. The Listening Room has hosted legends like Janis Ian and Garth Hudson, while newcomers Ryan Montblau and Caravan of Thieves have found their footing on Kay’s stage. Concert nights now find her working the soundboard, another job she never imagined tackling. “A life is a work in progress, you know? Each night is a learning experience.”