Andy's Bar Staff Needs Your Support

"After 30 years of business, Denton music venue Andy's Bar" closed "at the end of February... Andy's Bar opened in 1994 in a three-story historic building at the corner of N. Locust and W. Oak streets in downtown Denton." (The Dallas Observer) After declining bar sales due, in part, to a larger cultural shift in sober bar patronage, and the rising cost of rent looming under a proposed new lease, Andy's Bar has shuttered their doors. With the loss of this historic venue comes uncertainty for their incredible staff who have devoted countless hours to the music culture that has pervaded the rich history of Denton social life.

As the staff members said their goodbyes throughout the last few weeks of back to back shows, and back-breaking shifts, this sudden closure meant little time to find temporary or alternative employment. Any amount contributed to this fundraiser will be given to those staff members who have no backup, mainly Erica Pipes, to help pay the bills while they search for stable employment.

Speaking personally, as a member of a local band here in Denton, I cannot express enough how much the venue and the staff care about their community, their bands, and every fan that has walked through their doors (even the ones that weren't actually there for the show, and got lost on the way to Paschall upstairs). My band, and I, had many of our firsts at Andy's. First music video / single release, first green room, first booking contact, first touring band, first merch table, and the list certainly continues. More important than those firsts were the friendships we made. Erica, a veteran among the staff, went from a friendly acquaintance that handed me my allotted drink ticket Lone Stars with a smile, to the bartender of my wedding in October of last year. Though we had to pull out of our last show at Andy's due to illness a few weeks ago, I can't think about Andy's, and all the things their establishment and employees have given us, without thinking of how we should give back.

I asked Erica last week if she would share her thoughts about her time at Andy's so I could share her message with you all. This was her response:

"It's been an absolute honor and pleasure to host all of you for 14 years. I've made some of my best friends in that building, been through a handful of heartbreaks, multiple GMs, a change of ownership, earned a bachelor's degree, signed 2 bands, toured nationally, even had my drag debut recently. While I'm nearing the end of the 34 shifts in 30 days and can barely move, I'm trying to soak it all in because I know I will miss it dearly. Thank you to every single person who ever booked a show or came to a show there, every employee who threw down, every album release, every tour, every festival, all the booking homies. We couldn't have done it without all of you and I hope to see you around at shows. I love you."

Please consider donating to support the staff as they undergo this uncertain transition.

With love,

Taylor, Smothered