It might not be a clone of Nashville’s renowned Bluebird Café, but Elkmont’s Red Caboose brings a little taste of Music City to Limestone County.

Elkmont resident Gary Compton completed renovation of the old Red Devil Café in downtown Elkmont recently and opened his venue for songwriters, which he will showcase twice a month.

For the past 14 years, his son, Paul Compton, has been senior vice president of Roger Murrah Productions in Nashville. The younger Compton is arranging for the acts. Murrah was on hand Friday for opening night and stayed through the first show.

Playing for the premiere were Rogersville natives Philip White and his wife, Amber. White wrote “Moving On” for Rascal Flatts and “Survivor,” which was recorded by Reba McEntire.

Philip and Amber have been in Nashville for a dozen years and write for Disney Music.

Also performing Friday night was Kevin Denny, another Disney Music writer. Denny, a native of Monticello, Ky., has had two songs on the Top-20 Country Charts, including “That’s Just Jessie” and “Cadillac Tears.” He received an International Bluegrass Music Award in 2005.

“We would love to come back here every three or four months,” Denny said.

Philip White said he got acquainted with Paul Compton when they were both students at Calhoun Community College.

“We met at Calhoun and Paul became like a brother to me,” said White. “I spent a lot of time in the Compton home. They became like second parents to me.”

The Red Caboose is not a restaurant, but the Comptons provided a sumptuous buffet supper for guests Friday night. Some 87 people crowded in for the first show and a like number for the second show. Parking was at a premium in the tiny downtown area around the depot across the street.

Compton said he is striving for the same atmosphere as the famed Bluebird Café, where many of today’s and yesterday’s songwriters got their starts.

“I just want a place where they can come and just perform very informally, talk, sing and tell stories about where they are and how they got started,” said Compton.

The next show, on March 15, will feature Roger Murrah, Limestone County native and writer of dozens of hits including Alan Jackson’s “Don’t Rock the Jukebox,” Conway Twitty’s and Blake Sheltpon’s “Goodbye Time,” and “I’m in a Hurry,” recorded by ALABAMA.

Also on the March 15 show will be songwriters Neal Coty and Jimmy Melton. Coty wrote among others “Every Friday Afternoon,” recorded by Craig Morgan. Among Melton’s hits are “I’m One of You,” recorded by Hank Williams Jr., and “God’s Country,” recorded by George Jones.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The first show is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and the second show from 8:30-10 p.m. For reservations call (256) 306-6201.