The Bistro and the Bottom of the Barrel were two clubs (aka 'listening rooms') in Atlanta during the late 60's and early 70's you could go to hear great music. Among the known names were Kingston Trio, Chad Mitchell, Fred Neil, Gabe Kaplan (comedian - Welcome Back Kotter), Carolyn Hester, Towndes Van Zant and John Hartford at the Bistro; Buffy Saint Marie, Odetta, Nina Simone, Len Chandler , Jeff Espina at the Barrel.

Lesser known but some of my favorites - were David Buskin; Jim Dawson (of Good Earth with Bill Swafford who became Oliver); John D.Loudermilk (wrote Tobacco Road); Manchild (from Louisiana - Sam Broussard was a member); Ron Kickasola (who at the time was with Don, Sharon, and Barry Dunaway; and most of all the local favorite - Silverman. Silverman was def. one of those groups that should have 'made it'. Ron Norris was an incredible singer, writer and guitarist, Deborah McColl sang with a voice like an angel, and Karl Cusio played flute - as well being a funny, funny man. It was a sad day for Atlanta when they disbanded. Deborah toured with Jimmy Buffet for a time. I heard that she had recently been singing again in California, after many years hiatus during her career as a psychologist, but don't know anything else about ROn or Karl.

The first time I ever heard Ron, he was playing with "The Hand Band", at the Barrel. Another member was Pat Alger - in the years since, Pat has written a number of top country hits, including performers like Garth Brooks.   

The Bistro held larger crowds, and there were many nights that the line stretched down the sidewalk as people waited to get into a show.       It was a converted house, owned by Tom and Sandy Hayward. They were equal partners in running the club, and equal in their ability to make anyone who came thru the door feel like part of their family.

They gave performers a place to stay, invited them into their homes, fed them,(Sandy was a gourmet cook), helped them meet other people and network.
   Tom built the club's sound system himself, and continually worked to improve it's quality as the technology expanded. He managed booking the entertainment, and always had a good ear for new talent. Scouts from record labels like Columbia frequented the Bistro, knowing the quality of entertainment, and brought their up and coming acts there to be exposed to a discriminating audience.   
    Sandy took care of the customers - she knew the names of all the regulars, and what they liked to eat and drink. Beer and pizza were served, but woe be unto the dummy that talked during a performance - Sandy was quick to tell them to be quiet in no uncertain terms.

It was a wonderful time to hear live music in a small venue in Atlanta. The performers were top notch, the listeners were appreciative and respectful, and the club owners were fervent in their desire to showcase the best music available.

The Barrel was quirkier, and much more like an old style NY style coffeehouse - with beer.   It was located in the bottom of a row of old townhouses, and was damp and cold in the winter;, hot and stuffy as blazes in the summer. In the summer that cold beer was a necessity to deal with the heat in a small crowded room! Neil Estes and ? ?Cohen? were the owners. They loved true folk music passionately, and treated their customers well. Because the Barrel was a smaller venue, and you sat just a few feet from the singers. This made for an incredible sense of involvement with what was going on on stage. It felt like you were sitting in your living room, and you were blown away by their musicianship. I can still see the half smirk on Jeff Espina's face as he sang "Tennessee Stud", and   Len Chandler's eyes   blazing with the intensity of his message.

Both clubs provided an intimacy and a give and take between performer and audience that will never be experienced in a large concert hall.
I am glad that I was able to have that time in my life.