Hard Times For Musicans

Michael Swanger, a good friend of mine, and writer for Cityview, a Des Moines independent newspaper, has an article about the tough times faced by musicians, and clubs. (CLICK HERE) I think perhaps the most sobering part of the article dealt with Des Moines beloved blues club Blues On Grand.

Locally, we said goodbye to Hairy Mary’s last month, a stalwart of the local punk and rock scene for more than a decade. The Lighthouse Coffeehouse, a leading folk music venue will close its doors at the end of the year. And now we hear from the manager that Blues on Grand, Des Moines’ only blues bar in a town full of blues fans, might soon close.

This is not good news at all. Blue On Grand is not only important for the quality of life in Des Moines, and for local blues fans, but also for national touring acts who look at Des Moines as one of the dependable stops on the tour. As I have always said support your local blues band, and blues bar owners, because once they are gone, it maybe a long time before you see anything like them again.