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Topic: Club 21 Dancehall burns down Uhland Tx |
Janice Brooks
From:
Pleasant Gap Pa
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Bill Terry
From:
Bastrop, TX
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 25 Oct 2010 7:30 am |
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Its a real shame. Nothing can replace it.I had a gig there coming up on friday.
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Bob |
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Mike Ester
From:
New Braunfels, Texas, USA
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Posted 25 Oct 2010 8:56 am
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Wow!!! This is a shock.
I haven't played in there in a while, but it was an experience that makes one a true Texan.
_________________
U.S.A.F. 1978-1982
2005 Carter S12U 7x5
1978 Sho-Bud Pro II Custom 8x4
If you can't be a good example, be a horrible warning. |
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Colm Chomicky
From:
Kansas, (Prairie Village)
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Posted 25 Oct 2010 3:18 pm
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Sad...was there a year ago to see Herb Steiner play. Enjoyed that place.
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Herb Steiner
From:
Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064
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Posted 25 Oct 2010 5:38 pm
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What news to wake up to this morning. I played many, many gigs there over the course of the last 38 years.
Truly the end of an era, literally. 
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
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Milton C. Willmann
From:
Spring Branch, Texas, USA
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Posted 25 Oct 2010 6:04 pm
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Tragic news. Hits pretty close to home here at Anhalt Hall. The builder of both halls was Christian Herry an immigrant that was a master craftsman. There are only a few halls left that he built. Fischer Hall, Clear Springs Hall and Anhalt Hall. preserve those old dancehalls, they aren't making anymore like that.
http://texasdancehall.org/
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Milton C. Willmann |
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Glenn Suchan
From:
Austin, Texas
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Posted 28 Oct 2010 7:38 am
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Some of my most cherished gig memories are of playing at Club 21. In my mind's eye, when I think of an old, rural Texas dance hall, Club 21 is the archetype: Great wooden dance floor, family-based, multi-generational patrons, and gracious proprietors. Much like James and Gail Henry, owners of what was once a legendary Austin honky-tonk, "Henry's", William and Barbara Ilse treated the bands playing at Club 21 like old friends. And Barbara's magnificent hamburgers were true culinary masterpieces.
William also preached family values as evidenced by one of my favorite anecdotes, which was a sign posted near the front door. It read: "TEENAGERS! 'Tired of being hassled by your parents? ACT NOW! Move out; get a job; pay your own bills... while you still know EVERYTHING!" 
I really can't believe that I'll never again have the great opportunity to play at Club 21. 
http://www.club21dancehall.com/
Keep on pickin'!
Glenn
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Steelin' for Jesus |
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Bill Terry
From:
Bastrop, TX
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Posted 28 Oct 2010 8:06 am
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I'm with ya Glenn, William and Barbara personify Texas Hospitality.
I heard from some friends today that even though he initially indicated he wouldn't rebuild, William is now saying he may. It won't be the same without a bunch of 100 year old wood, but I'd still be mighty happy to play there. I hope the rumor is true.
_________________
Lost Pines Studio
"I'm nuts about bolts" |
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Herb Steiner
From:
Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064
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Posted 28 Oct 2010 8:28 am
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I'd be glad to see the Ilse's rebuild, but I was just having this discussion with a friend of mine yesterday. Part of the whole vibe of the Club 21... and places like Anhalt, Twin Sisters, Kendalia, Quihi, and the Broken Spoke... is all the history, music, burgers, loves lost, loves found, and more that went down in those places. The history and the stories those buildings can tell.
Those stories can't be retold in a new building, because the walls weren't witness to the events.
I remember Jay's Lounge and Cockpit in Cankton LA, where I worked a lot in the 1970's. Literally a ramshackle shack, the walls were one-board thick in the dancehall/bar and the bouree room, except for the cockpit room which was cinderblock. Fighting chickens out back. Cajun vibe out the wazoo, a great place to play. Jay decided to get fancy and move to a large metal building across the highway. The vibe went away, at least for me it did.
William and Barbara didn't have insurance on the Club 21. I wish them the best, and I'll do what I can to help... if I can. But I think the expense of building a new place may be a big nut to crack. I'm hoping I'm wrong.
All my best to W. and B.
_________________
My rig: Infinity and Telonics.
Son, we live in a world with walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with steel guitars. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? |
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Chris Schlotzhauer
From:
Colleyville, Tx. USA
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Posted 28 Oct 2010 10:41 am
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I too have played Club 21 many times.
It's always a shame to read stories like this, because once a building like this gone, they can never come back or be rebuilt because they are no longer grandfathered from current codes.
I fully expect to read any day the same fate for The Broken Spoke, Anhault, London Hall, Gruene Hall.
They are all a small spark away.
The Spoke is the scariest. It's always packed and IF a fire broke out, it would go so fast and there are just a couple of exits and no windows.
The other old halls at least have open side windows you could jump out of. |
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Glenn Suchan
From:
Austin, Texas
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Posted 28 Oct 2010 11:38 am
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Chris, you're right about the 'Spoke. However, I've always thought, a good gust of wind would probably topple that ol' girl. Have you ever checked out the walls at the Broken Spoke? If folks ever had to leave in a hurry, for whatever reason, they could probably just kick an 'escape hatch' in one of the walls. (Oooops! That comment is borderline blasphemy). One thing to note, the 'Spoke has survived a tour bus impact. I don't know any of the details, but it happened just a handful of years ago. 
Keep on pickin'!
Glenn
_________________
Steelin' for Jesus |
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Janice Brooks
From:
Pleasant Gap Pa
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Posted 20 Jul 2011 3:15 pm
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| On a related note the Copeland Dance Hall has been shut downas of today 7/20/11 |
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Jody Sanders
From:
Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.
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Posted 20 Jul 2011 9:49 pm
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| An Era has ended. Jody. |
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Dave Hopping
From:
Aurora, Colorado
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Posted 21 Jul 2011 5:34 am
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| And Waylon will soon be natural second homeless. |
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Charles Davidson
From:
Phenix City Alabama, USA
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Posted 21 Jul 2011 9:57 am
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This is so sad. It's sad to see these old places go that so many of us had so much fun in 40 and 50 years ago.Don't give a damn what ANYONE says, those WERE the good old days. Rode by an old club the other day that I have written about in the stories section,they were tearing it down,Thought about the GREAT times I had there in the 50's.For myself I really don't care very much for so-called progress. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.
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Hard headed, opinionated old geezer. BAMA CHARLIE. GOD BLESS AMERICA. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST. SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC ! |
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