SAY IT AINT SO SMOKIN JOE.... Nate Dow just posted on Facebook: 7 hours ago near Boston, MA · Edited I have been writing this eulogy in my mind for months now because I know that Smoken Joes BBQ & Blues has been bucking the odds to stay in business and keep live music flowing seven nights a week. As sad as it is thats its closing in two weeks, I have to salute Joe and Wendy Dodd for creating and maintaining the only live music venue that has ever truly felt like a home-away-from-home for me. It was never just a business, or a restaurant, or a music club to me. It was the hub for our FAMILY. Most of the meaningful friendships I have made in this city over the past seven years were established and fostered there — and not just with fellow patrons, but with the owners, the staff and the musicians. And it says something when those friendships span multiple generations and extend far beyond the walls of Joes. There was a uniquely reaffirming feeling of both togetherness and belonging there. It was like a family dinner/house party every Tuesday night. I have so many found memories — and, more importantly, quality relationships — that will endure long after the windows are shuttered. I thank Joe and Wendy, every beloved musician and staff member, and all of our great regulars for enriching my life and keeping me happy even in down times. Perhaps the importance of this particular home to us is best underscored by the legion of voluntary employees who just couldnt resist but to help. Ive never seen so many people rally around a business in which they had absolutely no stake, save for personal enjoyment. I loved it all. I will miss it all. But I shall carry it with me forever. And now to invoke those words we dreaded to hear at the end of the night. ... Last call! LikeLike · .. Erin Harpe, Alexander Wajsfelner, James Clifford and 49 others like this. . Gretchen Bostrom AMEN! 7 hours ago · Like · 1 .. Katy McNaughton Hayes Im with you my friend!!! 7 hours ago · Like · 2 .. George Gianopoulos Well said, Nate. I want to add some comments, but cant think of anything profound at this moment - am still too shaken by this news. We all need to support Joe and Wendy by attending shows and having dinner at Smoken Joes during these 2 weeks. 6 hours ago · Like · 3 .. Al Cecchinelli Couldnt have said it better. 6 hours ago · Like · 3 .. Ricky King Russell Well Said, Nate! Sadness! 6 hours ago · Like · 3 .. Howard A Phillips Nice write-up, Nate. 5 hours ago · Like · 3 .. Will Mariner THIS IS SAD 5 hours ago · Like · 3 .. Joanne Cullen Beautiful tribute to a one-of-a-kind little club. I am very sad to see it go 5 hours ago · Like · 4 .. Johnny Barnes Nnoooooooooo!!! 5 hours ago · Like · 2 .. Dan Margarita Im sorry to hear this. Got to work out a lot of stuff there.. 5 hours ago · Like · 2 .. George Skaubitis Amen brother! I could not have said it any better. Well be talking about Smoken Joes for years to come. 4 hours ago · Like · 2 .. Pilotwhale Hayden High praise Nate! 4 hours ago · Like · 2 .. Erin Harpe So true Nate, its always kind of like playing a friends house party (with great food!) We are so sad! 4 hours ago · Like · 1 .. Tharah Montefusco Beautiful tribute! Every time Ive ever stopped in, have always felt welcomed. And the music .. Well thats always pretty fantastic too! Really sorry to hear about this.. 4 hours ago · Like · 1 .. Steve Morse Why is it closing? Any prospects of reopening somewhere else? This is not the kind of club we can afford to lose. 4 hours ago · Like · 1 .. Steve Coveney Long and short of it is, Steve, they have horrible landlords. Dont know if they are re-opening. 4 hours ago · Like · 1 .. Nate Dow It appears to be a lost cause, Steve. They have been getting pressured out by a landlord who wants to expand his own (crappy) business. They have depleted all their energy and funds in fighting it. The writing has been on the wall ... 4 hours ago · Like · 1 .. Allan Dines Well said Nate! 3 hours ago · Like · 1 .. Mark Dempsey Wow! Cant believe this. First Im hearing of this. Very sad, after all theyve been through. Were losing not only a great music venue, but a great BBQ joint as well. Hope they can relocate. A sad day for the blues/live music community. 3 hours ago · Like · 1 .. Michael Kurgansky This is a tragedy for the blues community and for Boston arts in general. This was a rare venue which valued the musicians they attracted as well as their loyal patrons and friends. It is one of our most beloved finds since moving to Boston six years ago. Smoken Joes will be sorely missed. Many thanks to Wendy and Joe for so many great times. We will miss seeing you and all our Smoken Joes friends. 3 hours ago · Like · 2 .. Al Hayes Well said, Nate. As sad as Katy and I are about the closing, we are so grateful to have experienced it. 3 hours ago · Like · 2 .. Joy Marie Aw first I have heard. Joes was the best joint I have ever worked in and the only community I had when I first moved to Boston. Sad to here. Will definitely make it point to stop in... 2 hours ago · Like · 3 .. Bernadette Hood I am so sad to read of this news. I relate to every word you wrote, Nate. When I lived a few blocks away, I was there a lot. Ive kept up with the news via the friends I made there and watched longingly via playjones, missing the real life connection. I will value and treasure the memories of folks I met there and the good times, good music and good food. 2 hours ago · Like · 2 .. Hugh Holmes SO, SO, SORRY.... 2 hours ago · Like · 2 .. Nathaniel Stringfield I AM TRULY BLOWN AWAY! I AM HURT! ITS LOSING A HOME FOR ME AND MY GROUP HOUSEKWAKE AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT FREQUENTED THIS ESTABLISHMENT I WILL TRULY TRULY TRULY MISS JOE & WENDY TO THE HILT MY LOYALTY TO THE BOTH OF THEM CANNOT BE TOUCHED THEY BOTH KN...See More about an hour ago · Like · 6 .. Nate Dow Bless you, Black! about an hour ago · Like · 1 .. Steven Yeaton WTF! I was turned on to the place by my Friend Alizon Lissance and life will never be the same without it , Now Im Pissed!!! Im going to miss Wendy and all the support she gave me over the years! about an hour ago · Like · 1 .. Mario Perrett Well said my friend...well drink the bar dry and raise our glasses to the permanence of impermanence and remember the good times and move on to make more good times and good music in another church. 17 minutes ago · Like · 1 .. H Nat Stevens Is there any way we can have a fund raiser to carry them another two months and the work on something more permanent...???? about a minute ago · Like
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 03:50:48 +0000
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