Fabulous!  I need to know more about the Pin-Up contest.  Must I have all of my teeth to be considered?  I can just make out that the winner will be crowned Ms. Trout Bait.  There are several jokes regarding personal hygiene that may follow this comment.  My previous request to sweep the sidewalk and clean the gutter are being suggested again today.  Good luck to Trout's.  May you need to hire someone to count your money.

Well now, maybelline...I sure appreciate your sense of humor and your honest suggestions for making things better all around at Trout's!  It would be a good thing if more people actually had an opinion...that woud at least prove they are thinking about ANYTHING...maybe that they care about SOMETHING, eh?  I look forward to, and welcome, all of your comments!

Thank you so much for your wishes of good luck, as well!

Aren't you just the sweetest thing? 

Please let Rockwell know that Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys ARE NOT early rock-a-billy.  Heavens, he is the king of western swing - for Pete's sake.  I'm certain you are aware that Merle Haggard was a Playboy early in his career.  Unfortunately, Oildale has changed for the worse. I still wish Trout's all the best in a try to improve Oildale.  I do hope that Trout's will remain an Oildale icon where rednecks will still rule.  Some things just shouldn't change.  Don't you agree?  

My dear maybelline, I promise to pass your message on to Rockwell; although Bob Wills is cited as an "influence" by most all Rockabilly bands, he remains the King of Western Swing, of course!  Thanks so much for taking the time to make sure that this fact is not forgotten over the weekends' festivities.  While it is a sad fact that Trout's (and Oildale, in general) suffer from a bad reputation, things really never are as bad as "..you hear..." and I urge everyone who has not been inside Trout's since late 2007 to stop in...even if you just pop in during a random afternoon when you find yourself driving by.  You just have to stop in and see for yourself; it's definitely a Honky Tonk, but now there is a safe and comfortable atmosphere that is condusive to a very enjoyable and friendly "night out".  It really IS just beautiful, even my own reaction to the remodel and expansion was one of absolute enchantment the first time I walked in to see the final product; and I personally witnessed several stages of the project during my own infrequent (and usually brief) visits to the club for friend's birthdays, special events, etc over the duration of it all ..and so many of the old "regulars" who stopped coming out are sporadically showing up once again and the gasps of surprise, and the smiles beaming on their faces when they see how perfectly the balance has been maintained really is a strong testament that we are moving in the right direction when those people who have been around since the original Honky Tonks were thriving are giving their blessings and their patronage yet again...

You are very kind to extend your best wishes for the success of the current projects underway that emphasize the historical significance of the Bakersfield Honky Tonks that all of Bakersfield should be aware of, as well as a resurgence of taking pride in that same significance because it really does matter!

Thank you again for your taking the time to let everyone at Trout's hear your thoughts...and I promise that they are doing everything in their power to provide this town with something new and exciting...and maybe even something to be proud of.

Write anytime!

Lynda

Lynda,

You are most definitely a great amassador for Trouts and they are lucky to have you speaking on their behalf.  No matter what is said here you always reply with grace, kindness, and class.   That's a rare gift...and you wear it well.

Good luck to all.  Maybe some day my old friend and steel player Richard will come back to town and sit on the stage where he played so many times.   Now THAT I'd get off my lazy duff to see.

"If you build it, they will come..."

Nancy, my friend...you just tell me his full name and I promise that I will do my very best to accomodate (Richard being willing, that is!).

I do appreciate the feedback and lovely, encouraging words and I even appreciate the negative remarks left here because they show me the primary areas of focus that need to be addressed so that I am able to actually DO my best to prove that Trout's is here to provide of the people in this town with an attractive and FUN evening of entertainment every time they choose to walk through those doors...and it's important that this is not just about a "BAR", it's about preserving the history, and promoting the future of the amazing musical accomplishments associated with our hometown.  I am proud of the fact that so many of the legendary artists, and current country super stars, cite "Bakersfield" as a primary influence in their biographies.  Having that kind of "branding" is an amazing thing if you think about it...and it's almost a responsibility (at least I see it as one) to not let everything that has been done just fade into obscurity...promoting and supporting the local musicians is just the right thing to do, isn't it?

You already know I think you are a person I would LOVE to meet face to face and talk to for as long as you can tolerate having someone like me loitering in your personal space...haha...so you tell me who this guy is and I will do everything within my power...which is virtually limitless ::cough:: and I will get his butt onstage at the first opportunity; if he will let me make that happen, of course!  Write to my private email (you still have that info, yes?) and let me know...please!

Thanks darlin...I always enjoy hearing from you!

Lynda

Thanks Lynda, but he moved out of state years ago and at that time had given up music.  I talked to his one of his kids a year or so ago and she said he had no intention of coming back to CA.  Last I heard, he was in TN somewhere.  I have a picture of him playing steel for one of Bonnie's visits to The Junction years ago.  I'll have to dig it out and send it to you.  They loved playing together when she was in town because he knew all the old stuff.

Now that I'm semi retired maybe we can make that face to face session happen.  For REALLY good old stuff, talk to Wanda Markham and Inez Savage.  They're both great people and a wealth of knowledge.  I worked with both of them back in the BW days.

You've probably already picked Inez's brain since she has always been so involved in the Country music community and  I've been out of the loop for a very long time.

Lynda - has Trout's considered getting the word out on the radio?  Does anyone really read the newspaper anymore?

Maybelline, thanks so much for yet another wonderful suggestion...we have used radio in the past and may pick that option up again in the future, but with word of mouth for an event like this being what it is and the use of the internet, flyers posted all around town and the amazing write up we got in both the Bakersfield Californian AND Bakotopia Magazine, the cost of radio versus the benefits is a fairly uneven ratio - especially when you consider that there are NO Rockabilly stations here to advertise on...(not many people listening to local rock or country stations will be too concerned with an event such as this...at least not enough interest to justify an ad campaign, so that option never really existed for us during the intial planning stages. 

But yes, we will be taking advantage of radio...and maybe television as well...when the benefits at least equal the expense; if even in the long term!

Thanks again for your support and suggestions...sincerely!

Lynda

Lynda - no ads.  Perhaps an interview on a talk station would help spread the word.  It's an interesting place with interesting events.  Some people listening to radio are listening to learn and interact rather than to hear music and advertisements.  In fact, one recent blog was asking about what do people listen to on their morning drives.

Nonetheless, hope the event tomorrow is a smashing success.

Maybelline,

I really enjoy opening my email every morning when I find a blog comment has been posted by you!  It is rare to run across a realistic, and yet still positive, attitude in this world...thank you so much for your words of encouragement, which are always tempered with concerned, and plainly sincere suggestions!  Ironically, it seems that things only really change when someone takes the risk of opening their mouth and giving their opinion...thats how it starts, anyway.  If more local people expressed themselves regarding the things that they would like to see and do, there will always be someone who will work themselves to exhaustion to bring that option to our little town. Whenever I hear someone complain that there is nothing to do in Bakersfield, I tell them that it is merely a lack of "Public Interest" that makes this so; there is no support from the community for the entertainment opportunities they claim to want, yet there is non stop complaint when vendors and sponsors stop throwing away their money on events that no one attends.  Local vendors have opened skate parks, ice skating rinks, and more to fill a niche that, until it was realized, squeaked so loud that it could not be ignored; however, the lack of participation and general interest in these projects, once the money had been spent, doomed these establishments.  People want to earn top dollar for the work they do and they want to be provided with quality entertainment, top notch service, and high quality products without paying a fair price for them.  It makes no sense, does it?

As for your suggestion regarding talk radio, I was only recently introduced to Scott Cox by Tanner Byrom while at the Crystal Palace enjoying another excellent performance by Monty Byrom and the Buckaroo's; since that "door" is open now, I will look further into the advertising options available within that medium.  Thanks for the reminder!

Today's event is, as far as I know, the first of it's kind to EVER happen in Bakersfield and it definitely has the potential to be something special; alot of time and effort has been put forth to make this unique event appeal to as broad a spectrum as possible,  and I truly hope that the people of Bakersfield take advantage of this, and all of the events that so many people put so much of themselves into in order to bring interesting options to town for them to enjoy. 

Please post some pictures of the event.

Sure thing Maybelline!  The Bakobilly Fest was a complete success and I will post an article (or blog comment...not sure which I will use for this) with photos soon.

 LYNENDER - Does Trout's have T-shirts or decals available?  I like to send Oildale items to friends and family no longer living here.  The Knotty Pine now has T-shirts.  Wicked has some great decals - Wicked Oildale 08.

 Maybelline - My apologies for not replying sooner; technical difficulties that I won't bore anyone with, but suffice it to say, I am back now!  Because I know that the exterior representation of the building itself was an issue that you yourself said you would like to see addressed, I would LOVE to hear YOUR opinion of the new paint job!

Of course we have merchandise for sale!  Trout's has a great selection of Tshirts (both short and long sleeve), tank tops, camisoles, sweatshirts, hoodies, and also an awesome selection of CD's featuring local artists available for sale at the club - we are working on getting all of this online so our friends all over the world can just log on and pick up whatever they like; in the meantime, I would be happy to provide you with photos and a price list OR you can always call with an requests! 

Tell your friends at the Knotty Pine and Wicked that we would love to feature their products - they can contact Rockwell at (661)399-6700 for information on having their products included in our ever expanding merchandise area!  Trout's is very open to promoting all local businesses, especially other live music venues and historically significant establishments, like the Knotty Pine, etc.

Thanks so much for providing an opportunity for me to share this information with the rest of the readers.  You are one in a million, Maybelline!