Blues on Grand Gets New Life

Street view of the newly renovated front of
 the former Blues on Grand location in Des Moines.

Hey everybody thanks again for reading my blog here at Music Reviews by a Musician. If anybody has a topic they would like me to blog about please send me a request at jesseastewartmusic@gmail.com.

So recently I was informed that someone in Des Moines is reopening the former Blues on Grand location. The location downtown is being renovated and is set to open sometime in April. For the full article from KCCI in Des Moines click here.

Arguably the former home to blues in the midwest; Blues on Grand was a staple to the Des Moines music scene until it closed in October of 2010. Now new owner Frank Farrell is set to reopen the spot as the Gas Light; not Blues on Grand.

What is my take on this you may ask? Well as much as I loved Blues on Grand and the fact that it was a home to blues in Des Moines; I am all for the reopening of the location under a new name and with a new style. Des Moines is in need of quality music venues and the room at the old Blues on Grand location was one of the best in my opinion. Granted it was not a very big place but the aura that it put off and the sound that came out of that room was tremendous.

It will definitely be different to step foot in the old Blues on Grand once it reopens as the Gas Light. Judging by the changes to the outside of the building I can only guess the inside will be changed as well. Nothing in my opinion will ever replace the history and vibe of Blues on Grand. However when one tradition dies it allows for a new one to rise. Hopefully the Gas Light can start its own tradition in that location and help further the music scene in Des Moines.

Live music is where it is at and the more venues there are for it in Des Moines the better it is for all of us eager musicians out there just chomping at the bit to play as much as possible. Kudos to Mr. Farrell for trying to add to the Des Moines music scene; hopefully this works out for the best.

Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,

JAS

Photo credit goes to  fellow friend and musician Josh Tilton

The Thursday Night Jam

So last night I attended the new open jam session at the Copa Cavana in Des Moines. Housed in the old Ingersoll Dinner Theatre, this building is definitely an interesting entertainment venue to say the least.

Now this jam is hosted by Rob Ankum, the long time host of the jam at Blues on Grand, which closed its doors in November of last year due to reasons that many people are not quite sure of. For a blues/rock/funk fan such as myself this was a huge blow to the Des Moines music scene and arguably the music scene in the Midwest.

Blues on Grand was a great place to hear and or play live music. It attracted some of the finest musicians around on a weekly basis and it always had this vibe of a down home, true blues bar. I will always miss Blues on Grand and it can't be replaced in my opinion.

However when Blues on Grand closed down I also lost my jam spot on Thursday nights. I was not sure where I would go to get my jam fix on in Des Moines anymore until I heard that Rob was starting up a jam at the Copa Cavana.

Well to all those who miss the jam at Blues on Grand I must say this. Come on out to the Copa Cavana and enjoy the new jam. Yes it may not have the vibe and the feel of Blues on Grand but in my opinion it has its own vibe and feel that is kind of curious. Its a big place with a big stage and dance floor for people to dance on if they hear some music that they like.

And that should be no problem as Rob and the boys are playing the same great blues/rock/funk tunes that they did at Blues on Grand. It is definitely going to take some getting used to but I think in the end it is good for the music scene in Des Moines. It provides aspiring musicians like myself a chance to get out there and strut their stuff on stage for a few songs once a week. I will most definitely be going back and I hope that it can become a new tradition for music in Des Moines.

Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,
JAS