Pickin' & Grinnin' at the Olde Town Pickin' Parlorphoto & story by Laura "Spunky" McGaughey
(Originally published in the July 2009 issue of Pow'r Pickin' magazine, the official publication of the Colorado Bluegrass Music Society.)
Stepping into the Olde Town Pickin’ Parlor for any musician is much like a child stepping into a candy shop filled with delights. The Parlor is a haven for anyone to come in, take a beautiful, high-end instrument off the wall or its stand, take a seat, and strum away with any number of friends she or he may meet. From Martin to National Resonator guitars to vintage Gibson mandolins and Morgan Monroe banjos, all the instruments are in a space worthy of their exquisiteness. With an inviting atmosphere and friendly, helpful staff, it won’t take long for any picker to find the right fit.
Founder and proprietor Kit Simon, also affectionately known as “Uncle Kit,” has created an ambience that is as welcoming and attractive as the stunning instruments. He established the store in 1991, after meeting “Banjo Bob” Anderson the previous year. Banjo Bob had a shop up in El Jebel and convinced Kit that they should open a store together in historic Olde Town Arvada. Bob had a theory that “the best acoustic stores are near army surplus stores,” Kit laughs.
It was the start of success. Today the Parlor occupies a space that is three times the original location. It’s still in Olde Town Arvada, at 7515 Grandview Avenue, adorned with living plants and 19th century brick walls, and its service to the music community in the area is unmatched. “I wanted a comfy, big space for people to play,” Kit says. Truth be told, it’s not only a place for people to meet, play and buy instruments and supplies, but to get their instruments repaired by, learn from, and listen to, respected professionals.
“With the repair shop, we can set up instruments for every individual,” Kit tells me, “and people come from afar because he (Edward Dick) really knows his stuff.” Dick is the head of the repair shop and has a good 35 years’ worth of experience as a luthier, building more than 300 instruments. The staff and teachers at the Olde Town Pickin’ Parlor also have formidable experience. Currently there are about 15 teachers providing classes six days a week on anything from bluegrass flatpicking to fiddle and banjo. Included on the teaching roster are Long Road Home’s Martin Gilmore, Spring Creek’s Chris Elliott and Reckless Abandon’s Ernie Martinez.
“Some of the teachers have been with me a long time and they keep their students because they have a great personality in addition to a great ability to teach students what they like and want to learn. Their students look forward to their lessons,” Kit says. “The teachers are an integral part of the store. They not only bring people in for the lessons, but for buying books and other supplies. They also open their students’ eyes to different music.”
Exposing patrons to the dynamics of music is an important component of what makes the Parlor so special to the Colorado music community at large. Intimate performances and song circles also take place within the Parlor’s space, providing further community enrichment. Every third Tuesday of the month the Parlor hosts America’s Soul Live with Jon Chandler, a round-robin, Austin City Limits-esque acoustic concert showcasing regional and national singer/songwriters.
The Parlor also hosts other special performances. On July 9 they’ll be presenting Steve Smith and Hard Road, a show sponsored by Swallow Hill Music Association. A leading mandolin player, Smith has been performing for more than 30 years and has long associations with Kit and his Parlor. “I first met Kit through (Colorado mandolin player) Charlie Provenza, and would always visit when working in the Denver area with him,” Smith says.
Smith and his songwriting partner, Chris Sanders, are joined by banjoist Bill Evans, bassist Bill Amatneek, violinist Megan Lynch, and guitarist Aaron McCloskey, the newest member of Hard Road. McCloskey was a student of Smith’s before he was enrolled as a member. The band mates are scattered throughout the country: Smith and Sanders in New Mexico, McCloskey in Colorado, and the remaining three in California. “The week before our run of gigs begin, we usually get together and power rehearse,” says McCloskey about their logistics.
This is the fourth performance Steve Smith and Hard Road have done at the Parlor. “The fact that Kit offers a performance space within his place of business to me really shows his willingness to support and promote good music. It takes a lot of work to put on any show, as you know, but they also have to rearrange the store, do chairs, promo, etc. That’s dedication!” Smith says. “I wish we had such a place in New Mexico!”
Tickets for the July 9 Steve Smith and Hard Road show are available on line at www.SwallowHillMusic.org or you can make a reservation through the Olde Town Pickin’ Parlor by calling 303-421-2304. The Parlor is open for business Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also find them online at www.PicknParlor.com.
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