Introduction:
Conway Twitty resided at the expansive Twitty City estate in Hendersonville, Tennessee, from 1981 until his passing in 1993. The property, once a beloved landmark, also featured a museum and gift shop celebrating the legendary country singer’s life and career. Following severe tornado damage in December, the estate’s current owner—Christian broadcaster Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN)—initially considered demolishing the historic home. After nearly a month of uncertainty, the network has now confirmed that Twitty City will not be torn down.
According to News Channel 5, TBN presented a proposal to the Hendersonville Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Tuesday (January 23). Many anticipated that the plan would include demolishing the iconic mansion. Instead, the network announced a different path.
TBN Will Preserve, Not Demolish, Twitty City
“We heard the sentiment of the city,” said TBN’s Frank Amedia. “We prayed about it, we met with people, and we felt this was the right thing to do.” He explained that the network will now restore the estate, and the mansion will be used by TBN’s leadership. Although the restoration will require a greater financial investment, Amedia emphasized that the cost is not an obstacle.
Hendersonville mayor Jamie Clary praised the decision, calling it a wise compromise. “I think we’ve reached a good balance,” Clary said. “The property will be preserved while also being put to use, and that’s something that will satisfy many people while keeping it functional.”
What Might Have Happened to Twitty City
Originally, TBN had planned to demolish the mansion and construct a new complex on the site. At the time, Amedia addressed the challenge, noting, “Unfortunately, it’s public knowledge that TBN was significantly underinsured for that property. So now we’re at a point where if we invest in repairing old structures, new developments will have to wait.”
He added, “We’re at a crossroads—not by our choice, but because of the tornado that struck on December 9. We have around 100 employees, including production editors, some working from home and others trying to work in a building that’s currently unsafe.”
Numerous voices opposed the demolition, including Conway Twitty’s daughter, Joni Ryles. “There’s no question—we would much rather drive by and see it still standing,” she said. “Dad worked so hard to build this place, to make it special for fans to visit and for our family to call home.”