The Hall
Gadsden's newest and grandest nightclub, Second Street Music Hall , creates the illusion of being in the romantic New Orleans' French Quarter, and carries guests back to an earlier more elegant era with its ornate balconies, street lights, original art work and fascinating array of antiques and memorabilia.The building housing Second Street Music Hall is rich in history. Built in 1892, the remarkable interior design came from an unlikely duo. French architect, Pierre Claude Van Dame, who designed the building and Zeke Smirdlapp, a shiftless drunk and sometimes traveling evangelist who waned to erect a grand structure after the devastating 1891 earthquake.
The result was Gert's Emporium of fun, food and frovolity characterized as one of the most popular entertainment spots during Gadsden's riverboat era. the restaurant/bordello offered fine food, gambling and fast women right up until the dark days of the depression in 1933. Three years later, in 1936, the building was used as a theatre for Gadsden's legendary Sally Endfinger's Traveling Puppet Show and home for unwed mothers.
With the end of World War II, Sally's Puppet Show turned out its lights and hung up its strings. In the 1960's, the building reopened briefly as a storefront church led by none other than Jim and Tammy Baker, who went on to form the now disgraced PTL club. Next, the premises were taken over by a militant faction of the Salvation Army. The building continued on an ignominious decline that hit bottom when the building was used as the local Republican headquarters, and was later condemned by city building inspectors. At last minute reprieve saved it from demolition and the tarnished and abused structure was restored to its original gandeur by none other than ABC Television's April 1st, 2004 episode of Extreme Makeover Club Edition.
In June 2004 the Second Street Music Hall was opened and happy music lovers filled the hall once more and has enriched the lives of those who have come to be transported in spirit to an earlier and more romantic time and place. The idea behind this small wonderland is to make your life today more pleasant.
Second Street Music Hall provides music for the discriminating listener, which combines the best of the "old school" music with the finest of the new. From Kenny Wayne Shepard to Percy Sledge; from Nappy Brown to Lee Roy Parnell; and from Captain and Tennille to colonel Bruce Hampton.
If you are looking to enjoy your favorite blues artist or Jam Band in a warm, civilized and intimate setting, come join the ranks of those who have delighted in the beauty and charm of this historic building throughout the 20th century.
Second Street Music Hall is located at 208 South 2nd Street in historic Gadsden. Be sure to check out the rest of the web site for upcoming shows and events.
THE SECOND STREET MUSIC HALL HOPES TO SEE YOU SOON IN GADSDEN!
Reprinted with permission from Thunder Roads Magazine.
SECOND STREET MUSIC HALL
The Second Street Music Hall is a 2500' sq. ft. warm eclectic room. The decor creates the ambience of New Orleans' French Quarter. It has been dubbed "one of their favorite rooms" by Tommy Shannon & Chris Layton of Double Trouble. the 23' X15' stage is flanked with guitars autographed by Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eddie Van Halen, Kenny Wayne Shepard, Eddie Van Shaw Jr., Tommy Shannon, BB King, Derek Trucks, Kenny Neal, James Solburg, and many more to come. Also in the Hall is the Second Street Music Hall Gallery of classic photos, Awards, Show Bill Sheets, Harmonica's, Microphones, Posters and More. It is something a Blues or Music Lover will definitely love.
Despite our brief existense, Second Street Music Hall has played host to an amazing amount of musical talent;Eddie Shaw and the Wolfgang (former band leader for Howlin' Wolf), Tommy Shannon and Chris Layton of Double Trouble, Sandra Hall, Kenny Wayne Sheperd, Kenny Neal, James Solberg, the Nighthawks, Colonel Bruce Hampton and the Codetalkers, Bill Perry, Tinsley Ellis, Percy Sedge, Bob Margolin, Tab Benoit, EC Scott, Lee Roy Parnell, Jimmy Hall, Jack Pearson, Rev. Jeff Mosier, & Blueground Undergrass, Capricorn Rythym Section featuring Scott Boyer, Tommy Talton, Bill Stewart, Paul Hornsby and Johnny Sandlin.
Bottom line, the room has the atmosphere and acoustics to assure a great performance and sound for the artists as well as the fans.
Partial Equipment List:
Front of House PA System
- Meyer Sound Laboratory Model CQ1 Sound Reinforcement System Loudspeakers flown above the stage and A Meyer Laboratory Model 650p Subwoofer.
- Mackie 32x8 Console for Sound Reinforcement
- DBX compressor Limiters
- Allen & Health 16 Monitor Mixer DBX induvidual Monitor Equalizers
- Countryman Direct Boxes-Shure and AKG Microphones
- 1955 Hammond B-3 Organ with Leslie 122
- Otari 18R Analog console with 40 inputs and Eagle Automation
- KRK-E-8 monitors
- Yamaha NS10 monitors
- CROWN Studio Reference Power Amplifier
- DBX 160A and 160X compressor limitiers
- Lexian 300 Reverb/fx processor
- 2-Tascam CDR 2000 Recorders
- Tascam DV-RA-1000 high resolution digital 2 track Super Audio Compact Disk Recorder (DSD)
- Drawer Gates
- Complete Sonica-X/Nuendo recording system
- 24 Channels of RME A/D & D/A converters
- Full complement of microphones including many vintage microphones and vintage amplifiers.