Goble Tavern
By M. Sebenoler
The Goble Tavern has an interesting history.
At the turn of the 20th century, the little town of Goble, Ore., nestled
between St., Helens and Rainier on Highway 30 off the Columbia River,
was a prosperous community. The railroad from Portland ended there.
Railroad equipment was ferried across the river to Kalama, where it
continued north. As time went on, the work slowed and a devastating
fire wiped out the town.
Goble disintegrated unceremoniously into oblivion. As one approaches
Goble on Highway 30 about 10 miles north of St. Helens, all that seems
evident of a town is an old style building with a large surrounding
lot. A replica Viking ship is anchored in the center of the lot, salvaged
from the mighty Columbia. You have arrived at the legendary Goble Tavern.
In the late '50s, a young guitar player's mom worked at the tavern,
but he was too young to hang out there himself. Goble resident Willie
Nelson still performed around the area though, jamming with friends
before he moved to the big lights of the Portland - Vancouver area.
But that's another story...
Jerry and Sindee Modin (pronounced mo-deen) bought the old building
about two years ago and turned it into a low-budget restaurant.
Jerry, a local resident who grew up across the river in Kelso, was also
a part-time musician and fancier of old and unusual objects, treasures
and junk. After a year and a lot of "personal decorating," they
converted the restaurant back into a tavern. Jamming with friends around
the area, a house band emerged, The Blind Rootin' Hogs. Soon other acts
appeared and live music has become a steady diet at the Goble.
Upon entering the tavern, the atmosphere is unique, to say the least.
At first you feel like you've stepped into the past 50 years, but as
you become accustomed to the light, you realize there is a certain casualness
to the domain. The stage area is like a large living room, replete with
tapestries and a large oriental-style rug along with an upright piano,
electric organ and an assortment of amplifiers and instruments. A small
P.A. is hooked up and patrons who have any musical ability can get up
and play any time of day when no live entertainment is happening. Old
rock posters, guitars, music paraphernalia and assorted unique items
adorn the walls and ceilings. Indeed it is a very homey atmosphere.
The Blind Rootin' Hogs is a glorified jug band without the jug. They
host a Wednesday night jam and play the tavern at least once a month.
Guitarist Guy Live leads the hogs; soul mate Miz Mary plays washboard.
Curtis "King" Chamberlin thumps the washtub bass and occasionally
plays a logging wood saw. Former Portland attorney Eric Peterson blows
flute and Modin anchors the music with solid rhythm. Fun and loose,
The Blind Rootin' Hogs define the tavern's atmosphere.
Sept. 16 is the one-year anniversary of live music at the Goble and
a fantastic music festival outside the tavern is planned all day Saturday.
Dubbed "Goble Warming I," the event will feature most of the
steady acts that perform at the tavern. Performers include Lisa Miller
and the Trailer Park Honeys, Haywire, Kinzel and Hyde, Dave Hoover and
the Bloozbatz, The Fat Cats, Jones and Roadman, Chris Wetteland and
the Jackson Andrews Band. A special appearance of the Legendary Batz
is probable and of course there will be The Blind Rootin' Hogs. The
day long family-oriented event will feature a beer garden for the grown-ups
and plenty of barbecue foods will be available. Admission is free.
A lot of bands, big and small, have played at the Goble Tavern the
last year and the general consensus of the musicians is how comfortable
and casual the gig is. San Francisco group Jimbo Trout and the Fish
People played a recent Saturday night on their recent west coast tour
and said it was the most fun night of their trip. They played almost
an hour overtime. The legendary Baby Gramps makes occasional appearances
there and the incredible Jon Koonce and his trio will be performing
at the Goble Labor Day Weekend.
The Modins' future plans are to eventually build a bigger club on the
property and convert the tavern into a museum, which it already is,
sort of.
Come out Saturday, Sept. 16, for a great day of music and fun and check
out the great down-home atmosphere Jerry and Sindee have created at
the Goble Tavern. You'll wonder why you're still living in the city.
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