06/17/2024
FAREWELL
The Other Brother’s Bar (The OBB) has permanently closed. Thanks, first, to all the customers for your business, your notes in the books, your great online reviews and comments, and for supporting The OBB and all the musicians who performed here over the past two years.
Big thanks to the wonderful staff I assembled and had the pleasure of working wif: Bailey! Kimberly! and Segrid! (alphabetical, rather than any other ranking). You’re all aces, and I’ll miss tapping my foot next to yours as music filled the room. I miss you all terribly, already.
The OBB had country, punk, jazz, rock & roll, blues, folk, bluegrass, indie-rock, indie-folk, indie-pop, indie-indie, metal, even country-punk(!), and it leaves me with with some wonderful memories… hopefully for you, too. I’ll never forget the 3-piece punk band that kept rattling the bar tools off the countertop, the spontaneous dancing that often clogged our way to your tables, and the corny jokes one particular band member told every time they played here.
I’ve been enriched by meeting new friends: customers, musicians, service technicians, neighboring business owners and, of course, my staff members. As I said to many of you: “Thanx for finding the place!”
I have no idea what the landlord intends to do with the space where The OBB was located. He wanted me out by Saturday, and I think I surprised him being out three days early. Apologies to those of you who showed up for Chelsea’s music on Wednesday night, Maui (Oahu!) Mike on Thursday and Richard Petrich on Friday night; it was my fault. I was just too busy moving stuff to notify you of the quick closure, so don’t blame the musicians, dammit! In the future, if you find yourself in Cannon Beach, I encourage you, entreat you, beseech you to shun the slime molds who inhabit the rest of the old Fireside building (except for Pollo; he’s a nice guy), and eat elsewhere. I suggest MacGregor’s Whiskey Bar in midtown, at the Cannon Beach Hotel. They have more brown liquors than I ever attempted to stock, and it’s only about ten blocks South. That’s a measly 1/4 mile. You need the exercise anyway, right? Eh? Huh? Hah?
Special thanks to the Sunday Gems Open Jam Irregulars, who brought delight to so many customers who had found their way into my little dog and pony bar on a late Sunday afternoon, and then sat for hours listening, calling out requests, making fun with Bill or Bill or Tod or Gary, and sometimes even joining the circle. Some of my featured performers were products of the Sunday Gems jams.
Thanks to Eric & Lil, to Bill & Jane, to Billy Bango, to Sumiko, and to Holly & Cornelius for recent and ongoing support, which shall remain betwixt our bad selves.
And thanks to my twin brudda Chip MacGregor for saying “Hey John, I’m moving; do you want this room?” He’s ‘responsible’ for me being there over the past two years.
What next? Dunno, at this time. I’ve got minor surgery (having my brain replaced) soon. Certain people are encouraging me to open another music venue. After a bitto recovery time, I might consider it. The OBB musicians all loved the fact they always got paid & fed, so I’ve got a positive rep there. Plus, the salmonberries are coming on all over, so we’ve got that to look forward to.
I’ll leave you with two thoughts:
1) Even the best day can be made a little better by listening to a Todd Rundgren song! and;
2) Support Live Music! Seek out venues that offer local or visiting musicians. It’ll enrich your life.
Peace out, as the kids used to say.
-John, the Other Brother
