Now that everyone is pass the shock of the arbuckle ballroom shutting down and the rumor mill is running. John and I would like to tell the truth of the matter. The truth is the ballroom would have been closed 5 years ago if it wasnt for John and I. John and I believe in music. Music in our mind could save the world. We took on the challenge of trying to save a historic piece of Oklahoma music. We were meet with consist heartache. The building its self is 45 years old (if not older). It needs lots of work done to it to compete with the rise in casino concerts. No matter how much work John and I put into that place. As soon as one issue was fixed another would happen. That building needs over $150,000 facelift to compete with the casinos. Just over the winter we had over 10 pipes freeze and bust resulting in $1200.00 water bill that Davis water does NOT adjust due to pipes busted. Not to mention all plumbing is cooper pipes which means high pluming bills. The insulation on the ceiling needs replaced which is over $65,000. We had 3 A/C units stolen that was $6,000 each and to old to be covered by our insurance. The building is on top of a mountain in Oklahoma. So In the summer it was HOT and in the winter it was COLD. This was a constant complaint by people and we would try to explain this to people to only be cussed out and our place bashed. And in John and Is mind this was a minor detail cause we are trying to save a historic venue. So big deal we get the constant cussing and hatefulness of people. We searched for historic grants (which the place has to be 50 years old) an historic music funds. Anything we could do to keep the music alive in that old barn. We searched for sponsors local and national and so many had been burnt by other promotors. They were not willing to take a chance with us. Even though we have a excellent reputation in the music world and our good people. They just didnt want to donate. A lot is also to do to the economy. People got scared to spend money and the cost of gas is on the constant rise. Which makes the cost of everything go up. Including booking bands. (Which Ill come back to that) Another fact is social media. People would rather sit at home and find dates then go out to meet someone or you can check and see what your friends are up to by looking at your phone. All of this has made a HUGE impact on live music rooms. Now back to booking... Bands live on the road and away from their families. They need to be paid! They have gas, bills, food, families and hotels they have to pay for. So their costs have gone up. Which makes ticket prices go up. Now with that being said places like casinos will over pay certain bands because they can and they want them when they want them and will gladly pay someone $30,000 to play a show. When really that person is only $5,000. So guess what!! When we try to book that same person guess how much they want. You guessed it. They want that $30,000.... thats what casino pays them so thats what they expect from everyone. Venues and music rooms like us CANT compete with that. We by no means blame the bands cause we understand this industry. Being a band you got to make that money when you can. You can ask any band. John and I have always told bands that. Go make your money we will figure something else out. So that put the big name bands out of out price range. Cause we worked our asses off to keep ticket prices $20 so it was affordable for every music lover. Even with this John and I was meet with consistent complaints. That ticket prices were to much. The complaints were none stop and consist. We tried booking local bands but no matter what we did or who we booked it was not supported. We always had bands that deserved to be heard. From Rock to Country. I pray you never have to have a conversation with a musician that you have admired for 12 years and wants to play your venues and you have to tell them no because our crowd wouldnt support it and I would lose my ass.. I had to have this conversation many times with legendary Oklahoma musicians and it broke my heart every time. No matter how much of our blood sweat and tears we poured into that place it was never enough. We have been fighting this decision for over 2 years now. An the answer we have came back to is Why should we care so much about this place when no one else does? Yes there is a few that do care about it as much as we do. But, in the long run the masses dont care. They want new and shiny. Not old and historic. The sad part is we are losing a piece of Oklahoma history those of us that have gave our hearts and souls to this cant give anymore. So its just time to let it go. Now with all the Debbie downer stuff out of the way. We held some amazing events at that old barn. Red Dirt Rising was by far one of the most special events and we were so proud to host.. What a amazing day of music! And a amazing day for Oklahoma. If you missed it you missed out. We held many fund raising events that turned into epic all night jam sessions. That turned into recorded songs on CDs. Stories of how songs and CDs came about. An of course stories of goats and monkey masks. (Still makes me giggle.) So many good times with good people and great friends. Its hard to walk away from that place. But sometimes you have to ask if its worth it. An yes it is.. Just not at the old barn anymore. As sad as you are about it closing I promise John and I are just as upset. Thank you for all your love and support the last 5 years. An always remember to support local artist and Oklahoma musicians. This is a dying scene and only you can save it. Go see a show, buy a ticket, buy a band shirt. Go see a band youve never heard of. Keep the music alive.
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 22:22:21 +0000
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