From: Jeff Hale Date: Sun, 04 Jul 1999 09:37:31 -0700 Subject: Bitter Sweet
Hi All,
Friday night was an emotional roller coaster. One of my personal harp playing benchmarks was to play the Peacock Tavern in Corvallis Oregon. Why? Because for decades the Peacock (considered one of the best college town bars in the country by Playboy Mag.) was home to the blues. The Peacock booked national acts such as Etta James. Gatemouth Brown, Little Charlie, Charlie Musselwhite, etc. Great local acts such as Paul Delay, Curtis Salgado, Norman Sylvester, and Duffy Bishop were regulars. I think Colin Rae started here. I've seen them all because the Peacock brought them to town.
So, my goal since becoming serious about harp was to get the chance to play the Peacock. On Friday night, that dream came true as I was asked to join the Gary Burford Band for their last performance at the Peacock. For George Edmonston, the bass player, This last performance marked the 313th time he played Peacock. For me it was the first and last. Everything went great (even though I played through the PA), good band energy, good sound man, nice crowd. The sweet was sweet.
But it was hard to realize that after all these years this institution of the blues will become just another sports bar (read "another #&*#% cookie cutter sports bar!). Some of you will remember the "Corvallis Smoking Ban" which we discussed many months ago on this list. Well, Tommy Conner, the Peacock owner, lost $500,000 this year at the Peacock because of the smoking ban. This has forced him to sell and the new owners will remodel and toss the old format. So, my friends (especially those of you in the northwest--Donnie, Tim, . . . ) I bid a very fond farewell to the Peacock Tavern and am thankful that I have joined the ranks of those who have played this venue. Goodbye old friend.
