Tornado Disaster Relief Event

The Elbow Room is hosting a Tornado Disaster Relief Event to help our friends and neighbors who have been impacted by this week's storms and tornadoes.

Hartle Road and Ming Donkey will be performing for your listening pleasure.
 
There will be a $3.00 cover at the door from 8 pm to 12:00 am. Proceeds will go to help local victims of the tornado that struck East Columbus. 

We are also collecting personal care items and toiletries for the Red Cross. Soap, shampoo, razors, shave cream, lotions, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc. Help us fill our bin to overflowing. 

Where: 
Elbow Room
418 2nd Ave. N.
Columbus, MS

When:
Friday, May 2, 2014

What:
Neighbors helping neighbors.

Mississippi Tornado Disaster Relief

The Elbow Room is partnering with the Red Cross to help with the tornado disaster relief. We are collecting personal care/comfort items to be distributed to victims throughout Mississippi.

We are asking our bar patrons and friends to help us help our neighbors and friends.

Items we are collecting: soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, hand lotions, hand towels, bath clothes, and etc. Please drop your donations off at the bar and we will deliver them directly to the Red Cross. 

If you have any questions, contact us here and we'll answer right away.

Music History at the Elbow Room

When I opened the Elbow Room in September 2013, I knew she was something special; something to be preserved. To me she held a personal history. As we renovated, a long forgotten mural made its appearance. That alone is worthy of preservation. But, the Bow has much more to share with us. She’s gradually making her history known to this new generation of patrons, artists, and proprietors.

As is the way of time, treasured memories are lost if not recorded for posterity. I was asked recently what makes the Elbow Room historic; which tells me that the facts and stories of the bar are beginning to be lost. I will try to rectify that.

In a recent post, I shared the story of Buckshot, the bartending dog. In my search for old photos. I found one that pictures the old refrigerator that stood in the back corner of the bar. The very same refrigerator that Buckshot would open, retrieve a beer, and close. But, the refrigerator was not the only thing in the photo.

Yet another fact, revealed itself. While unknown to me and probably most of the current patrons, I’m sure some of our old-timers may recall the days when the legendary James “Son” Thomas and the Blues Professor, Walter “Wales” Liniger, performed at the Elbow Room. 

James "Son" Thomas and Walter "Wales" Liniger
performing at the Elbow Room Columbus, MS in the mid 80s.

While taking a deeper dive into the lives and times that Son and Wales performed at the Elbow Room, I found another link to a Mississippi Blues legend and a historic event that happened right at the Bow. In an interview, Bob Rowell, Mississippi Spoonman was asked how he got the name Spoonman. The story began, “In 1989 I was at the Elbow Room in Columbus, Mississippi, and James “Son” Thomas was there.” To learn more about how Rob Rowell got his moniker, read the interview here. http://www.americanbluesscene.com/2012/11/at-home-mississippi-spoonman-2/

Mississippi Spoonman, Bob Rowell, got is moniker from James "Son" Thomas
at the Elbow Room Columbus, MS

Further evidence of Elbow Room contributions to the promote Blues Music in Mississippi is a mention on a historical marker in downtown Columbus. 

I strongly encourage everyone to read Walter Liniger's site. It's steeped with Blues history and personal insights on how he found his music. 

Walter “Wales”Liniger

http://bluesprof.com/index.php

James “Son” Thomas is not with us today, by his memories and music live on to inspire today's artists and music lovers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Thomas_(blues_musician) (Elbow Room photo is featured on this wiki page)

https://www.facebook.com/pages/James-Son-Thomas-Sonny-Ford-Delta-Artist/153458851366024

http://soulsgrowndeep.org/artist/james-son-thomas

Elbow Room - Columbus, MS: Socks for Veterans

Elbow Room - Columbus, MS: Socks for Veterans: Freedom isn't free; and when the war concludes, the battle doesn't end for the veterans who return. Statistics tell us that one...

Socks for Veterans

Freedom isn't free; and when the war concludes, the battle doesn't end for the veterans who return.

Statistics tell us that one in seven homeless people in the U.S. is a veteran.
There are roughly 68,000 homeless veterans across the nation. More than 400 are in Mississippi.

Thanks to the members of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 60, in Columbus, MS, many of these homeless veterans will have warm, dry feet. That may seem like a small thing to some, but it’s a big thing to the veterans in need.

The Elbow Room proudly supports Sock for Vets. And we encourage all of our patrons and friends to do the same.

To donate to the worthy cause, contact:
American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 60
PO Box 425
Columbus, MS 39703

https://www.facebook.com/SocksforVeterans

If you're buying, we are selling

Recently, the Mississippi legislature  passed the Freedom of Religion bill. It was immediately signed into law by the Governor. On the surface, this bill sounds like a protection of the rights intended by our forefathers and the constitution that governs us.

But, don't let the name of the bill fool you. At its core, it's a bill that legalizes discrimination. A business can refuse service to anyone who they believe lives differently from them. 

I'm here to say that the Elbow Room does not discriminate, and we fully support the "If you're buying, we're selling" campaign. 

Even if you are not buying, you're welcome at the Elbow Room. If you just want to come in, sit, enjoy the music in a place where everyone really does know your name, the Elbow Room welcomes you.

The Elbow Room was one of the first to stand with "If your're buying, we're selling." Thanks to the Jackson Clarion Ledger for their coverage and their nod to the Elbow Room.

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2014/04/11/business-response-religious-freedom-bill-surges-statewide/7582567/

Mostly Music, by Paul Swain

Many thanks to Paul Swain for the excellent Op-ed article that recently ran in the Columbus Packet.

One of my pet peeves over the last few years, as many of you know, is the loss of places that still use live music and give musicians a haven to congregate and swap lies and guitars.

There are not many of those places left in the Columbus, Mississippi, area but there is one beacon in the dark.  The Elbow Room in downtown Columbus not only hires live music but encourages musicians.

I know that a lot of you folks have heard that the Elbow Room has had some hard times and that there was a terrible atrocity committed there but let me tell you times have changed.

The new owners Barbara and Rob Swindol a mother and son team bought the Bow, as it is locally known and immediately set about cleaning the place up and getting rid of a lot of years’ worth of  smoke and nicotine stains, as well as the cheap paneling on the walls.

Lo and behold behind all that old paneling was a mural and it is in remarkable shape and if nothing else, if you are around you should drop in and have a look.

Barbara bought the Bow late in 2013 and installed Rob as it’s manager as she resides in California, and only gets back to this area a couple of times a year.

I had the good fortune of playing for Rob on his Grand Opening night and the Bow has been rocking ever since.

Rob does not discriminate when it comes to music if you play he is supportive of you no matter what genre you are into.

I play for Rob at least once a month and that sort of covers his old folks Country and Rock and he has other live music at least two to three weekends a month.

Rob says he would love to be able to have live music all the time but of course the crowd will determine that.

Rob himself is a better than fair musician and plays an alternative genre that I like and I have given the name of soft Rock.  He plays several instruments and was even into making drums at one time.  

One thing that amazes me, is how in a very short time musicians began showing up and jamming or as I stated earlier just sitting around swapping lies and guitars, just by word of mouth.

I once asked Rob (after seeing a local DJ in the Bow) was he going to be using Karaoke and he gave me a look that would wither a cactus and informed me “As long as I am running this place there will not be any”.  

Having said that the Bow has “Open Mic Night” every Wednesday and anyone is welcome to come and bring your guitar, horn, bass, keyboard or whatever else you have and if you don’t have one you can usually find one sitting around that you would be allowed to play, but make real sure you ask first.  Picking up someone’s guitar without permission is like taking a Texan’s hat off his head; you might find yourself in deeper water than you wanted to try and swim in.  

So go ahead give the “New Elbow Room” a look-see, I think you will be pleasantly surprised and for you nonsmokers you will enjoy the fact that it is a nonsmoking bar.  Now you know.  Y’all have a goodin’ and tell your mama and them hi.  

Paul Swain playing at the Elbow Room

Elbow Room has gone to the dogs--in a very good way

The Elbow Room is a dog-friendly bar. Sally, has grown up in the bar. She has her favorite spot and if you are sitting at her table, she will patiently stand next to you until you leave.

Buddy is a service dog extraordinaire. He is super sweet and lovable. From time-to-time we get visits from Booger, Sumo, and Credence Clear Water.

Of course, our K9 customers are required to behave properly just like all of our other patrons.
Being dog friendly is not new to Elbow Room. In the mid 80’s the Elbow Room had a famous K9 celebrity as a regular customer—Buckshot the bartending dog. Buckshot frequented the bar with this Owner, John McClanahan.

John McClanahan was a bass fishing guide, falconer and home remodeler, and Buckshot's owner, trainer and top fan. It was his wishes that were Buckshot's commands. As the pair sat side by side at the bar, McClanahan would say: "Buckshot, would you please get me a beer?" and in an instant, the dutiful dog was off his barstool and racing for the back of the tavern. There he grabbed the handle of an old Crosley refrigerator with his teeth and pulled down, opening the door. He selected an icy can of brew, returned and placed the can upright on the bar in front of his master.

"That's good," praised McClanahan, "but you forgot to close the door." Off went Buckshot, back to the fridge where, by delicately lifting a front paw and pushing, he shut the door with a click before returning to his place at McClanahan's side. The standing-room-only crowd roars, and a series of toasts are raised to this most miraculous of man's best friends. A teetotaler himself, Buckshot basked calmly in the limelight. McClanahan would say, "He's a natural-born ham who enjoys attention."

When McClanahan finished his first beer, he made another polite request. "Buckshot, would you please get rid of this empty?" Buckshot picks up the empty can, takes it to the nearest trash can and drops it in. Everyone cheers, but Buckshot appears unmoved. "Buckshot's head hasn't gotten any bigger," asserted McClanahan. "Dogs just have the ability to handle stardom better than most people."

Buckshot could also pick dollar bills off the bar and place them in the open cash register, as well as play a mean game of pool. Reacting to three key words ("over," "back" and "Buck"), Buckshot understood to jump on the table, find any ball named and drop it into any pocket selected. One of his tricks involved snatching a person's hat right off his head. At the right word from his master, Buckshot would scan the room for headgear and bring John any cap he spots.

From the Montreal Gazette December 12, 1985

 

Elbow Room - Every girl deserves a makeover

I've come to the realization that I have everything (everything substantially relevant, in my opinion) it takes to be the perfect women. I'm educated. I'm independent. I'm gainfully employed. I have a bar. That's right a bar. What more could anyone want? (That was rhetorical.)

Well, bar might not be the best description for it. It's more of a pub. Okay, that might also be a stretch. Let's call it what it is--a beer joint. A beer joint because there is no kitchen so we don't serve food. In Mississippi, without a kitchen and percentage of the income from food, one cannot get a liquor license.

This small beer joint located in the historic district (not the good street) of Columbus, Mississippi was opened in 1952. At least that's what the sign out front says. Some locals say that it' been around longer.

I knew the bar well before I decided to re-open it. It had been a place I rarely visited as an adult when I lived in Columbus--the town where I grew up--but visited often on return visits. I should mention here that I live in California and the bar is in Mississippi. (A long story which will be addressed later.) The bar had been closed for about a year when I made the decision to venture into the world of late nights and cold brews. I was certain that this would be a relatively easy, turn-key start up business. It's not like I was starting from scratch. Or so I thought.


The lease was signed, licenses and permits applied for. All was done and the only thing left was to get the key and hire a cleaning crew to go in, clean up, and stock the inventory.  My heart sank when I receive a one line text from my bar manager (the most awesome son a mother could have.) "This place should be condemned."

That one-line text was followed by these photos. 

The previous proprietor simply closed the doors and left

The ceiling was falling down from leaks in the roof.

That's not dust, that mold. Serious mold remediation had to be done.

The condition was almost a show-stopper. But, as is my nature,
I decided that I was up for the challenge.

Putting on my "Project Manager" hat, tapping all my resources (awesome son, especially), mold remediation done, and maxing a credit card; three and one-half weeks later, this is what she looked like.

Every girl (Yes, the Elbow Room is a she.) wants to be loved for who and what she is, regardless of how she looks. But, from time-to-time, every girl deserves a makeover. We are giving the Elbow Room her makeover.

Elbow Room - Gives up her secrets

During the recent renovations, we’ve learned that we are not the only ones who have missed her. Almost every day during the renovations someone stopped by, took a seat at a non-open bar to reminisce about their memories. We heard about first legal beers, how spouses were met, performers who played there, and, of course, about Buckshot the bartending dog. (More about Buckshot and his best friend John later.)

As we renovated, the Elbow Room gave up some of her secrets. When paneling that was installed in the late 60s was removed, we were amazed to find artwork. Behind this paneling layered with paint, we uncovered two large silkscreen-on-canvas panels attached to the original walls. These art panels have been concealed for more than 60 years. We are currently cleaning and conserving these hidden treasures and feel that they are a perfect match for the new atmosphere of a safe, smoke-free hometown pub (aka, beer joint) where everyone really does know your name.

The Bow giving up her secrets

 

Coming clean. Slow meticulous process to remove a half century of nicotine.

Communing with Daddy

 As a child of the 60s, I recall walking to town to run errands with my dad and sister. Errands usually included a trip to Sherwin Williams and Western Auto followed by a stop at the Elbow Room. (Obviously, there were lax laws about taking kids into bars back then.)

I fondly remember the nickel pinball machine. Neither my sister nor I were large enough to play it, so bar stools were placed on either side so we each had our own flapper. My dad and his friends kept a stack of nickels for us to play while they enjoyed a few beers in an always-friendly atmosphere.

Sadly, I was still a teen when I lost my dad. With time, all the places that held memories of him were out of business or torn down; save one, the Elbow Room. Well into our adult lives, my sister and I would visit the Elbow Room, especially during times of personal difficulty. We referred to these visits as “communing with Daddy.” Somehow, being there, sitting at the bar where he had sat, having a drink in his memory brought us comfort.

After the Elbow Room closed, I found that I missed my visits there and missed the opportunity to commune with Daddy. This was the driving force behind my venture to reopen the bar.

Opening the Elbow Room is a tribute to my Dad, Don Carlos Dilley.

My Dad, sister and brother. That me, the short pudgy one.

 

What's in a name

I recently reopened a small bar in my hometown. The first response I get when people learn I have a bar is a surprised, "Really!" The most often question I get is, "What's with the name?"

Across the country there are many Elbow Room lounges and bars. But, today, few seem to understand the meaning behind the name.  Many speculate that it is a small bar and everyone needs elbow room. That's a reasonable guess, but not the meaning of the name.

The name comes from the idiom, to bend one's elbow. Which means to drink.

bend (one's) elbow definition

and bend the elbow; lift (one's) elbow

1. to take a drink of an alcoholic beverage; to drink alcohol to excess. :  He's down at the tavern, bending his elbow. ,  If you didn't spend so much time lifting your elbow, you'd get more done.

I'm not sure when elbow bending was first used to refer to drinking, or when it fell out of fashion. But, there is a word still used today that is derived from elbow bending. I guess you can call it a slang of a idiom. That word is "bender."

bender

1. a wild drinking spree.

 And there you have it, the origin of the name of the finest little pub in Columbus, MS, Elbow Room.