Mike Johnson - Posted - 11/16/2009:  20:41:27

---

I saw the query about bluegrass in Jacksonville on this forum page and felt compelled to raise this topic.Who on the Hangout remembers The Malabar Lounge of Jacksonville Fl?What stories can you share of that erstwhile "skull orchard "that was transformed into a veritable Bluegrass "Camelot " spanning nearly eight years?Have the intervening decades dimmed the memory of the golden heyday of the Malabar and its old-home extended family livingroom atmosphere?Does anyone remember that time when you could actually hear recorded and "live" bluegrass broadcast on the Jacksonville public radio affiliate ,WJCT FM with monthly "live" real-time broadcasts from the Malabar? M

Mike Johnson

---

Edited by - Mike Johnson on 11/16/2009 20:42:23

TITM - Posted - 11/17/2009:  03:36:58

---

Mike,

I'm sure you knew this would bring me out from under my rock. Sorry I've missed you and our "Banjo Wars" the last number of times you've been to town, health has been an issue for me this year, I hope this comming year will be better.

When I saw the question about bluegrass in Jax I was ashamed to reply, Jacksonville is pretty much a bluegrass waste land compaired to the late '70s to mid '80s. European Street has a bluegrass show once in a great while, most recently a Payton Brothers reunion. The NFBA is still going strong but most activities are out of town in RV parks and campgrounds. A few monthly jam sessions but nothing like Wednesday night at the Malabar.

The Malabar cemented my love for the banjo and bluegrass music, thanks for the part you played in that. So many memorable things, the great banjo players, you, the good Dr, Tom Mckenny, Paul Champion, Jim Fee, Murphy Henry, Robert Noble and many more. My first exposure to old Gibson banjos and the chance to pick at least three old RB flatheads before I'd been picking two years. My first time on stage with a banjo, with you and the Sounds of Bluegrass on a Friday night with the PBS cameras rolling. Wow, what a way to start. First gig for the " Ol' Time Bluegrass Band" As you know, a way of life that went on untill we lost Jack three years ago next month. Bluegrass radio was a big part of the magic, thanks to you and Landon. I still have tapes I recorded fron WJCT, and enjoy listening to them from time to time. The chance to meet Chubby Anthony in the last days of his life, good stuff.

The Malabar is now the "Show Bar" I'm sure you can figure out what the entertainment is. Something about that just ain't right. Whatever happened to Rudy at the bar, the company bottle of Jim Beam on Milton's desk, Paul picking the good stuff after hours untill daylight, the Wednesday night jam, live music every Friday and Saturday night? Man I miss those days.

Thanks again for the part you played in the most special times in my life.

Bailey Henry

Oldpiper - Posted - 11/17/2009:  06:03:07

---

I remember many nights at the Malabar (and some afternoons) listening to great bluegrass. Mike, didn't your mother play bass - Polly, I seem to remember and the left handed guitar player who always amazed me with his upside down playing. You're right, there isn't much here any more except the NFBA jams usually out of town and I don't own a camper.


Fred USN(SS) Ret.

Mike Johnson - Posted - 11/17/2009:  06:28:05

---

Hi Bailey and Fred,
Mama did play bass (and still does but has retired from gigs).Glenn Smith is the gentleman that was our guitar partner for 34! years and has retired from regular gigs with the 'Sounds of Bluegrass ",which is an entity I still maintain and for which I have future plans.Glenn is a prolific song writer and continues to produce .Glenn does play upside down lefty on a conventionally strung guitar and remains the best rhythm guitar player I ever worked with.Without the solidity of Polly and Glenn it would have been impossible to perform as a trio for the majority of our bread and butter gigs.

Mike Johnson

---

Edited by - Mike Johnson on 11/18/2009 19:04:02

5 String - Posted - 11/17/2009:  06:34:07

---

I was in the Navy stationed at Mayport Naval Station outside of Jacksonville, FL from 1978-1982 and frequented the Malabar quite often.

It was at the Malabar that I had the very fortunate opportunity to meet and become friends with Mike Johnson, Bailey Henry, Danny Taylor, Paul Champion, Jim Fee, Murphy Henry, and many, many more of the great Florida bluegrass musicians that performed there.

It was at the Malabar that I had my first exposure on stage playing guitar and banjo, courtesy of Mike Johnson (and his band, The Sounds of Bluegrass). Because of Mike I was able to share the stage with Dr. Ralph Stanley, The Osborne Brothers, The Lewis Family, and the legendary Don Reno. These memories are forever etched into my mind and I am much obliged to him for affording me this opportunity. Thank you Mike.

It was at one of the Wednesday night jams there that I met and became friends with Bailey Henry - we traded many a Scruggs lick at those jams. Wonderful memories I will never forget.

It was there that I met both Glenn Rimondi and Danny Lanier. Befriending them eventually led me to play banjo with their groups - The Valley Grass and The Southland Express, respectively.

It was at the Malabar that I met Danny Taylor. Danny was a great finger-style guitar player and song writer. I kept in constant touch with Danny through the years and last visited him about 6 months before he passed away in 2006. I miss him very much.

I remember very well the bluegrass radio shows on WJCT - hosted by Mike Johnson and the monthly 'live' broadcasts from the Malabar. I was fortunate to have been a part of these live broadcasts performing with Mike Johnson & The Sounds of Bluegrass. Again, a huge thanks to Mike Johnson for this experience.

I moved back home to Virginia in February 1983 and started my own group which I continue to front and perform with today. I don't think I would have been able to do this had it not been for the experiences afforded me at the Malabar and the bluegrass scene in Jacksonville during the late 70's/early 80's.

I miss those times and the wonderful musicians I met there. Each and every one played a part in where I am today musically. Many thanks to all of them.

A very special thanks to you Mike Johnson. I am forever indebted, eternally grateful and will never forget you.


Robert (Banjo Bob)
www.willowbranchbluegrass.com

---

Edited by - 5 String on 11/17/2009 15:17:23

Mike Johnson - Posted - 11/17/2009:  09:21:52

---

Hi Bob, I seem to recall one time early after Milton Smith and all of us had successfully scoured the Malabar's reputation ,it apparently had somehow remained on an obsolete "off limits"list .I think Mama ,Milton and Jacksonville Sheriff's office beat captain(who was truly happy with what the old Malabar had become) all sent a letter to your skipper who rescinded that listing,much to our relief.Am I remembering that correctly,Bob?

Mike Johnson

5 String - Posted - 11/17/2009:  09:44:05

---

Mike,

You are correct. I certainly am glad they did that.

How's your mom doing? Tell her I said howdy.

Do you ever hear anything from Milton? If so, tell him I asked about him.


Robert
www.willowbranchbluegrass.com

---

Edited by - 5 String on 11/17/2009 09:55:35

5 String - Posted - 11/17/2009:  11:39:19

---

Bailey,

Rudy at the bar...that brings back some memories. It didn't matter whether it was 10 a.m. or 10 p.m., he was there. I also remember the elderly female bar tender there who worked the day shift but I can't remember her name. I often wonder whatever became of those two?

It was always fun watching her and Rudy fuss at one another like an old married couple when she would cut him off after she thought he had too much to drink. She would take a nip or two herself behind the bar and get to feeling good and the more they'd argue the louder they'd get. Milton would finally come out of his office and put an end to it (or so he thought) and usually ended up taking Rudy home. I remember on a number of occasions having to drive Rudy's car to his house while following Milton when he was taking Rudy home.

I agree with you, the Wednesday night jams were the best. Free beer as long as you played, it didn't get much better than that. I don't drink much anymore but I look back on those nights with fond memories.



Robert
www.willowbranchbluegrass.com

---

Edited by - 5 String on 11/17/2009 15:29:07

Mike Johnson - Posted - 11/17/2009:  17:20:36

---

How about when one of Sonny's picks flew off and the first three rows were crawling on the floor looking for it when he said "nobody move!-Isee it"

Mike Johnson

TITM - Posted - 11/18/2009:  03:16:32

---

Robert,

Your right, 10 to 10 was Rudy's schedule. I can't remember the bartenders name either but I can still hear Rudy's rants when she cut him off. Along about '85 or '86 Rudy married one of the weekend bartenders, can't remember her name either, she was at least thirty years his junior and a pretty good looking girl, she worked the toll booth on the Hart bridge during the day. I'm sure Rudy got what he wanted out of that relationship, don't know if she did or not.

Mike, I think I was one of those on the floor looking for that fingerpick. Sonny was and is one of my favorites, if I'd found that pick I expect I'd have kept it.

Anyone remember Milton singing "Doing My Time" in 5/4 time?

Bailey

5 String - Posted - 11/18/2009:  04:48:35

---

I remember the flying pick incident with Sonny. I don't recollect Milton singing, sorry I missed that.

I was thinking the elderly female bartender's name was Dottie.

Is Ken Fish still around in Jax?

Robert
www.willowbranchbluegrass.com

---

Edited by - 5 String on 11/18/2009 06:38:30

John Rose - Posted - 11/19/2009:  05:28:54

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mike Johnson

I saw the query about bluegrass in Jacksonville on this forum page and felt compelled to raise this topic.Who on the Hangout remembers The Malabar Lounge of Jacksonville Fl?What stories can you share of that erstwhile "skull orchard "that was transformed into a veritable Bluegrass "Camelot " spanning nearly eight years?Have the intervening decades dimmed the memory of the golden heyday of the Malabar and its old-home extended family livingroom atmosphere?Does anyone remember that time when you could actually hear recorded and "live" bluegrass broadcast on the Jacksonville public radio affiliate ,WJCT FM with monthly "live" real-time broadcasts from the Malabar? M

Mike Johnson

---

John Rose - Posted - 11/19/2009:  05:46:14

---

Hey Mike--Like others, I have many good memories of the Malabar. Here are a few that you (and other patrons) may recall also:

The "mini festivals" which would be an evening of entertainment that included mostly North Florida bands coming on stage one after another. The Malabar would be packed to the gills. I believe at least one of these events was also broadcast over Stereo 90 (FM). At one of the mini festivals there was a call for all banjo players to take the stage (I have a photo of this somewhere). Don't recall all of them but pretty sure they included you, Murphy, Pat Ogilve, and Paul. I need to dig up the photo to refresh my memory. Unable to remember what was played, but I was impressed with the sound and sight of the presentation.

Another occasion that stands out in my memory was during one of the Osborne Brothers appearances at the Malabar. You and Milton had arranged for Chubby Anthony to come by that evening. When the Osbornes got to their 2nd set, they asked Chubby to join them on stage. Sonny then announced something to the effect that this set is going to be the bluegrass we grew up with and we are fortunate to have the real deal here with us tonight on the fiddle (Chubby) to help us recreate that sound. Needles to say, it was a mighty fine set.

The Malabar---defined bluegrass in Jacksonville during its time period, the birthplace of a number of bands, generated many bluegrass enthusiasts and inspired a number of them to become pickers themselves, always knew you could attend a jam session on Wednesdays and listen to live bluegrass on Fridays and Saturdays, name bluegrass wanted to play there and did (Osbornes, Lewis Family, Don Reno, Ralph Stanley, Johnson Mountain Boys, Lost and Found), many life-long friendships were formed there, and home of the only "bluegrass Jukebox" I have ever seen/heard. All of this with a special gratitude of thanks to the Sounds of Bluegrass (Mike, Polly, and Glenn) along with Milton and Bernice.

John

Mike Johnson - Posted - 11/19/2009:  06:16:03

---

Welcome to the hangout John!

5 String - Posted - 11/19/2009:  06:54:27

---

Welcome John,

Hope you'll be a regular here. I remember attending many shows that Paul Champion and you played at the Malabar. Good times indeed.

Robert Noble (Banjo Bob)
www.willowbranchbluegrass.com

---

Edited by - 5 String on 11/19/2009 06:55:07

John Rose - Posted - 11/19/2009:  07:20:49

---

Bob and Mike--Thanks for the welcome greetings. Glad to be on-board.

John

TITM - Posted - 11/19/2009:  11:51:46

---

John, welcome to the Hangout, good to see you here.

Robert, Ken Fish, The Bluegrass Reporter, moved to Palatka in 1986, his wife Dottie passed away a few years later. I haven't heard from Ken in years.

Bailey

Mike Johnson - Posted - 11/19/2009:  21:25:43

---

Milton is going to join up and pop on here any minute now if Bob will work on him a little bit.m

5 String - Posted - 11/20/2009:  04:15:49

---

I responded to his email yesterday but haven't heard back from him. I'll see what I can do to get him on here.

Dail Moore - Posted - 11/20/2009:  19:14:11

---

I remember the one night that Mike, Polly,Glenn, Gary, myself and the great Chubby Anthony opened for the Osborn Bros. I never will forget Bobby and Sonny peaking around the corner to see who the hell was burning it down.

Dail Moore

CurtissWhite - Posted - 11/21/2009:  00:24:39

---

Mike, I never made it to Jacksonville at the time, I was underage. But I do remember you, Red Henry, John Hedgecoth, Ellis Padgett, Joel Daves, as well as too many others to name, joining us at the Lake Shore Motel and Drive-In in Pompano Beach, Fla, around 1967. We ended up playing on the roof and watching "Bonnie & Clyde" at the drive-in.

---

Edited by - CurtissWhite on 11/21/2009 00:26:32

pearcemusic - Posted - 11/21/2009:  05:52:52

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by CurtissWhite

Mike, I never made it to Jacksonville at the time, I was underage. But I do remember you, Red Henry, John Hedgecoth, Ellis Padgett, Joel Daves, as well as too many others to name, joining us at the Lake Shore Motel and Drive-In in Pompano Beach, Fla, around 1967. We ended up playing on the roof and watching "Bonnie & Clyde" at the drive-in.

---

I never made it up there either ... it was a long way from South Fla. huh Curtiss?
Are you still pickin'?

Mike Johnson - Posted - 11/21/2009:  06:01:04

---

Hi Dail, Welcome to the hangout.Ihope you will stick around and become a regular.m

CurtissWhite - Posted - 11/21/2009:  12:48:44

---

Yup, Doub. I was hoping to find you here. I'm NC now. We gotta get in touch. I haven't been able to find any pickers here yet but I'm told that they're all over hills up here.

pearcemusic - Posted - 11/21/2009:  13:01:24

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by CurtissWhite

Yup, Doub. I was hoping to find you here. I'm NC now. We gotta get in touch. I haven't been able to find any pickers here yet but I'm told that they're all over hills up here.

---

I tried e-mailing you a couple of times ... thru your BHO contact e-mail .. didn't hear anything from you so I figured you were avoiding me

my bho e-mail is my home e-mail, so let's catch up !!!

NC is NICE this time of year, huh? ... lots of color

talk with you soon

--dp