The following column will appear in the December 2008 edition of Gaston Alive:
The Double Door Inn turns 35 years old this month. And while that’s impressive in and of itself, the fact that it has been owned and operated by the same person in the same place is even more impressive.
Live music is not an easy sell. Let’s face it - it has a niche appeal. Some people get it and some people don’t. But the ones that do get it are very passionate about it.
Passion is one of the many reasons the Double Door has made it as long as it has. Owner Nick Karres is passionate about the music. If he wasn’t – he would have been gone a long time ago when times got tough.
The Double Door Inn has been Charlotte’s home for live, original music for 35 years. That’s remarkable in a city that is known for tearing down the old and building up the new. Anything that’s been around for 10 years or longer in Charlotte is considered a landmark.
Nick Karres, and his brother Matt, first opened the doors in 1973. It was originally designed to be a neighborhood bar. However, it didn’t take long for live music to make its way into the old house.
The Double Door has been the home of many musical genres over the years. However, it’s reputation for bringing in some of the best blues acts is known worldwide.
Over the years, many notable players have graced the stage including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Delbert McClinton, Leon Russell, and Merle Watson. Even Eric Clapton made a special appearance back in 1982 that is still talked about today.
Nick Karres has found a way to adapt the venue over the years. He has always found a way to keep it relevant to the live music conversation in the Charlotte area.
So, here’s to the Double Door! Going strong for 35 years and she shows no signs of stopping.
Sure, it may not be your father’s Double Door, but you can bet as long as Nick says there’s room in the Inn, there will be music.
The Double Door Inn will be celebrating its 35th birthday on Monday,
December 22 by throwing a party and celebrating the release of the new
book Home of the Blues: The Double Door Inn. Authors Debby Wallace and
Daniel Coston will have books available that night for purchase.
More information on the birthday celebration and the book is available online at www.myspace.com/ddithebook.
Comments