This really took place about a month ago, but last time I critiqued the place on this forum the poster that goes by Flobama asked me to come to them first in the future. So I did that, and never got a response in the message I sent them. So I just wanted to post it here and see what everyone elses opinions are.
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I agree, they are missing out on the best local music offerings.
A lot of places don't want to PAY bands. Perhaps they get these mediocre bands because they'll play for tips and/or a meal. Don't really know in this case, just a guess. But I will say that, as your comments prove, if places will hire good bands, they will more than make up the cost of paying them with all of the extra business they will bring in.
Yeah O No! that is a fair point. But as you said, if they bring them in they may get more business anyway, thus cancelling out the payment thing. I don't really know the guys who run Flobama but the interactions I have had with them, they don't strike me as cheapskates. But I really do not know the reason behind their inclusion, or exclusion of certain acts or certain types of acts. I just really feel they are missing out, and in turn we the public are missing out.
Someone here locally tried to book Alabama Shakes there for the Black Friday show this year, but FloBama balked at the idea.
The show was held at JD's and they had to turn people away at the door on a few occasions because they were at their firecode capacity.
Sounds like a missed opportunity to me.
That's a shame. Some of the places in Sheffield seem to get the bands in. Doc, the Shakes, The Pollies, etc. Not sure what the issue is here in Florence, especially with Flobama. SCM Electrix plays smokehouse sometimes and I make a point to see them there everytime, but the last two times they were booked, the owner screwed up and double booked so they didnt play.
alabama shakes would be great at flobama.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but most of the acts at FloBama play mostly covers, correct?
That has been my experience there Olwiggum and most aren't that great at covering. If you are going to cover a song, at least attempt to make it your own. One night I was there and a guy was playing, he was up before Second Creek and he did some originals but mostly covers and his covers were great. He put his own spin on them. He was original at least. I did not catch is name though. Did a wonderful Free Falling cover.
Covers are fine every now and then. Hell, I was IN an 80s cover band a few years ago, but that stage and sound system should be utilized to focus on some of the original talent as well. There are too many good bands here to be passed up.
other local bands that could play flobama...
the kojaks
the drive by truckers
the secret sisters
the civil wars
solo truckers...patterson/cooley
Great facility. Too bad the owners have no idea how to run a restaurant or bar. With marginal talent on stage, they've got to make some quick changes, or they'll be history.
It's also too bad that we have more food sales than alcohol sales in Florence. With such restrictive regulations, it's a wonder UNA can keep student census @ 7K. The town's just a little too quiet for young adults. We need places like FloBama to put some life into this campus' life.
All this talk about all the bands and all the venues for music in this area makes me wonder just why the City of Florence ever thought there would be a need for city government to establish an "Arts & Entertainment district."
Aren't the musicians and the restaurants, lounges, dives, etc. producing food, music and booze without help from gummint?
They tried to put an entertainment district in East Florence. Not enough takers or money to get it together, however.
It's a good idea to keep all the party people and noise in one place--where few people are affected by the revelers.
My father dated my mother from 1938 until 1940, when the toll across the bottom of the old railroad bridge was 10 cents each way. He'd pickup my mother in Florence and take her home every night--40 cents per night tolls. Back then, he said all the fun places (roadhouses) were in Colbert County, and everyone about went broke running back and forth to Florence. Funny, but the town's still quiet--despite having the college and all the fern bars.
