Mike Michelson will return to the local music scene on Sept. 28
Four weeks ago, we talked about the silly decision by the Truman Hotel/Library Lounge to let Mike Michelson go.
This was almost as stupid as some of the recent comments by Todd Akin.
Almost.
But there aren't many things in life as stupid as some of the recent comments by Todd Akin. Thanks for playing, Todd.
You can go home now.
Michelson is Jefferson City's Piano Man. He is home. He's the best. And his personality matches his talent. But after a 39-year stint at the Library, he was told his services were no longer needed.
In this very space four weeks ago, the headline of Michelson's story was called "The Day the Music Died."
He's back ... and the name of the place he's returning to is Bones.
Funny, huh?
"That is a little ironic," Michelson said Wednesday with a laugh. "I love it."
All fans of Michelson --- and if you aren't one, you should be --- will be happy to hear that Michelson will be back on the local music scene at Bones in the alley starting Sept. 28.
"I really like the room, it's real warm, it's intimate ... it's like the TV show Cheers," Michelson, 59, said. "It's closer to what I was used to playing in.
"I feel really good about it and so does my wife, Karen."
The piano keys at the Library hadn't even cooled down when he was contacted by the owner of Bones, Danny Farmer.
"He called me the next day after my last show at the Library," Michelson said.
And Farmer caught the big, talented fish.
"It's going to be great; it should be a great fit," Farmer said. "Even when I had an off night, I went out and saw him.
"Anybody who's been in town any length of time knows how good he is."
Farmer wasn't the only one chasing Michelson. Spectators, Old Munichburg and O'Donoghue's were in the running to the end.
"They were offering me the same money, maybe even a little better money," Michelson said. "They'd build me a piano bar ... whatever I wanted. It was a tough call.
"Probably the defining factor was the room."
Farmer is doing the same --- building a piano bar and small dance floor on the first floor in the right corner of the room, just when you enter.
"Danny was agreeable to do anything I wanted to do," Michelson said. "He said, 'Just do what you're doing, we'll get your people here and make this thing work.'"
Have no doubts, it will work. And he makes it look as easy as Michael Phelps doing laps in your neighbor's pool. Michelson will entertain Thursdays and Fridays until the holidays, and then he'll go Tuesday-Friday.
Life is normally complicated. This isn't. It's a good move by Bones, not so good for the Library.
Our Piano Man is going back to work. His work is our pleasure. And his.
Enjoy.
"I love what I do and that's to entertain," he said. "And I just love the people in Jeff City."
Mike Michelson is our ear candy. But then, what would you expect from a guy who's initials are M&M?
The music never died, it just took a break.