We recently connected with Ethan Massey and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ethan, thanks for joining us today. Before we talk about all of your success, let’s start with a story of failure. Can you open up about a time when you’ve failed?

My entire adult life I basically failed. It’s what I did after is what I think set me apart. Of course all failures are a type of set back. May it be in money, stature, or whatever it is you personally view as a “set back.”
I believe what set me apart is that I would fail forwards.
I’ve worked a full time job since I was 17 years old. I hated every minute of it. So naturally I found hobbies. That being starting/playing in bands. I’ve had more jobs than I’d probably like to admit…BUT I believe that has given me the advantage of knowing a little bit about everything. Jack of all trades but master of none if you will. Going from working military contract jobs, to landscaping, construction, security, bartending and eventually landing in the merch printing world. (Of course to get my band’s merch cheaper)

Of course being in bands you always are in venues and I personally thought the venue world was so mysterious and exciting. Like who are these insanely lucky people that get to go to work and say it’s at MUSIC VENUE?! But lucky for me I struck up a conversation with a venue owner (Rustin) and he just so happened to need someone to work security at Tomcats. Getting the call a couple weeks later asking if I was free to work that night on a week day after I just worked my full time job, I instantly jumped at the opportunity and INSTANTLY fell in love with it. I eventually moved to working the front door for a good handful of years for Tomcats and I was hooked.
There being not a lot of money in that position, I worked in the printing industry on and off for 10+ years at multiple print shops when I got the call to help run the venue for my late friend Rustin Luther who was battling a horrible brain tumor. We made it work for the better part of a year but it was clear to see that I was no Rustin. I did what I could but the venue was sold to another owner. I was absolutely devastated and disappointed.
I had everything I ever wanted in life and it was gone in an instant. So I fell back into the shirt world and focused on my band Dispositions. Building that up as much as I possibly could. Dabbling in booking random shows here and there but eventually finding my love for band photography. Which oddly enough lead me to meeting the owner of Big Rob’s. (Terry)
We talked business and ideas and instantly hit it off. Months down the line it lead to him offering me a general manager position at his venue. When I finally got my ducks in a row to accept the offer I got the news that he had also bought into The Rail Club. A venue that I worked at a few times prior as a bar back and bartender.
Long story kinda short, I managed and booked for both venues for about 6 months until I got news that we had to sadly pull out of The Rail and focus solely on Big Rob’s. I was again heart broken but still had hopes to make Rob’s what we all thought it could be. We were getting shows at Rob’s like it’s never seen before. National touring acts every single month, banger local shows in between those and even open jam nights during the week. But sadly the overhead was too much at the venue and another 6 months later, Rob’s had to close it doors along with multiple other DFW venues.
I reluctantly started updating my resume. Depressed and beaten down by the most insane year I’ve ever experienced. Closing down not one but TWO music venues… Everything in my being didn’t want to go back to the t shirt world but I shit you not…in the MIDDLE of me updating my resume I received a text from Chris MF Polone asking, “watcha doin pumpkin head.”
I instantly knew in everything in me I was about to get the craziest news.
We talked for a few days, had a couple meetings, and a few outings at the bar and we came to the agreement that I’d be one of 3 that run The Rail.
We have been in that place every single day ever since getting it ready to re open and bring massive shows/parties back to the West side of Fort Worth, TX.
I’ve never been so stressed but sure of something ever in my life.
So long story long.
Believe in yourself.
Work your ass off.
Don’t give a shit what other people think.
Be a good person.
Love yall and see you when Rail opens!

Ethan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Oh goodness I believe I put my whole bussy in that first question and answered most of this already. I get carried away sometimes…

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Stop taking on everyone else’s stress as your own. You can only do so much.
If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.
You can’t force anything.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

Chris Polone and I met when we were about 17/18 in Mansfield, TX at the Texas Scare grounds. He built a rickety ass 8 foot tall stage in an old diesel factory and my band back then wanted to play it. And damnit we sure did… Warren and I met when he was working at OG Rail when Buster owner it and I’d pop in with the Tomcats crew. We eventually worked at Fred’s TCU together then again back at Rail. Him also knowing my dad before I was born helped too.

Contact Info:

• Website: Therailclub.net
• Instagram: @therailtx
• Facebook: Facebook.com/therailtx
• Twitter: @therailtx
• Other: @dispositionstx @ethanmasseyy

Image Credits
ashotofbaileys mediocremurphy