Couple charged in assault on Nashville record producer

NASHVILLE — A couple suspected of assaulting record producer Dave Brainard and his friend surrendered to Metro Nashville Police Department detectives on Tuesday.

The couple, Dustin Carl Hargrove and Nichole M. Hargrove, both 30 years old from Columbia, are believed to have driven their car into Brainard and his friend Deborah DeLoach in the early morning hours of Sept. 27 before a violent altercation ensued that left Brainard unconscious.

Dustin Hargrove was charged with felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor assault. Nichole Hargrove was charged with misdemeanor assault.

Brainard, who has produced Nashville country stars such as Brandy Clark, Jamey Johnson and Jerrod Niemann, required reconstructive surgery to his face.

The case was solved, police said, thanks to the investigation work of Detective Anthony Chandler and tips provided to Nashville Crime Stoppers.

Chandler made an unannounced visit to the Hargrove’s home on Tuesday when they acknowledged their involvement in the incident.

According to police, the Hargroves came to Nashville on Sept. 26 for a wedding reception at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

The incident occurred in the bar district near the Music Row roundabout. DeLoach told The Tennessean that that’s where she and Brainard were walking at a cross walk when a gray Infinity driven by Dustin Hargrove struck her.

“The victims reported that Nichole Hargrove got out of the Infiniti and began screaming at Deloach and Brainard,” police said in a news release on Tuesday.

“The altercation became more heated, during which Dustin Hargrove is alleged to have gotten out and grabbed Brainard around the neck, causing him to lose consciousness and fall to the pavement. Nichole Hargrove is alleged to have grabbed Deloach's hair and forced her to the ground. Dustin Hargrove is alleged to have then put his leg into Deloach's chest, pinning her.”

Dustin Hargrove’s bond was set at $7,500 and Nichole Hargrove’s was set at $1,000.