Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Weber.
Jim, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
In high school and college I worked as a runner for SRO Productions (my Uncle’s company that promoted concerts) early on I was exposed to live music and what goes into all aspects of a concert. A runner is there when the band loads in and until the band leaves and your job is to run errands for them, drive them around, and whatever else they need. Whether it’s taking the laundry of a crew of 80 to get done, a lot of hardware store runs, hotel pick up drop offs, taking gear to get fixed, or scouring the city for a special British candy for a British rock band. Sometimes I didn’t run one errand.
In college I started throwing keg parties with my friend’s bands and then moved them into a warehouse space. We were under 21 and we would throw keg parties with live bands that drew big crowds. Then at the last one we threw, shit hit the fan when some new neighbors came by and caused trouble. A big fight broke out that ended with someone getting stabbed, no one was seriously injured and after a brief hospital stay was fine. The kids that started were arrested and the police found guns in their car. The bands that played that party ended up being part of some big national music projects.
That was the end of underground parties. So I started putting on shows in the bars and clubs around Minneapolis. I started booking and managing my friends bands which eventually turned into a full time career working with some great Minneapolis bands – Soul Asylum, Shannon Curfman, Golden Smog, Iffy, Kraig Johnson, Manplanet, as well as booking some bands like the Groovie Ghoulies (from California). I also worked with some local radio stations as an independent promoter.
Some friends of mine were comedians and came to Minneapolis to work on a commercial campaign for the Star Tribune. I started putting on shows with bands and comedians and got a little involved in the comedy scene. We also set up some comedy and music shows in New York and Los Angeles, at the time the comics were fairly unknown but now are comedians regularly scene in movies, television, and became established touring acts.
Then after a falling out with someone I worked with I moved to Chicago to help a friend with his business. Planning on moving back to Minneapolis, did not happen as I started taking care of my three nephews in Chicago. I started helping out at the bar I lived above and got close with the owners. They decided to close down, remodel, and rebrand and brought me in officially to run the place. At first I focused on live music while doing a few comedy shows but soon started hosting more and more comedy shows and fewer live music shows. Working in music Chicago was always a difficult market to crack – it is so big and spread out that it is hard to get something going. So I started reaching out to comics that I met through friends to bring them to town because they weren’t regularly performing in Chicago. The comedy shows have been going great and we are hosting more and more really funny touring comedians.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road is never smooth but with good people and family in your life the struggles become manageable. Doing what I enjoy doing and basically being my own boss is very satisfying and being around live performances is a good place to be. You never know what will happen and to see people having a good experience and a connection at a live show still amazes me every time. To see a performer and audience connect is like a religious experience it creates this energy that words can’t describe but if you go see live music, comedy, or theater you have most likely experienced a show like that. It brings likeminded but different people together.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with @North Bar – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We are a bar / venue that at first tried to have live music, but live comedy took over and our primary focus is on comedy shows, special events, and some live music. I am proud to see people that have performed on our stage to climb the ladder in what they are doing. Most recently a singer from a band that played here regularly moved to Los Angeles not even two years later he comes back to town to play Soldier Field singing in Beyoncé’s band. The night before her concert he set up a show here with all her backup singers and a lot of the band and crew showed up. It was such a great night and to see someone I always believed in – he has so much talent, and such a nice, humble, and thankful for everything he’s gotten to do. It meant a lot to me that he did that show here.
I worked in artist management and booking for a long time so I understand the various dynamics and complexities of artists. I learned early on that if the artist was as comfortable as they could be, the show would be better which creates a better experience for everyone involved. When I promoted shows or for our bands shows everything was important to us – the setup, sound, lighting, set, pre show music, post-show music, etc. Everything enhanced the show and made it more of an experience. It always surprised me that so many venues would fight us on certain issues even when we consistently drew a big drinking crowd. The ones that got it were the ones we would always return to even when we out grew the place it was important to us to support those that supported us because we wanted to make sure they stuck around. I take pride in making sure the room is set up to the way the artist wants it. Always encourage them to come as early as possible to set things up so everything goes smoothly. My job is to make sure everyone has a good experience and I have realized that usually won’t happen if the artist is not happy. I want the performance to be the focus of the room not just back round entertainment and do everything we can to ensure that which the Artists appreciate.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
More comedy shows and hopefully start doing comedy shows in other cities, so many talented and funny comics that people need to and want to see. Nothing is better than the experience of real laughter, the kind you can’t keep in, and make your sides hurt. I also believe in all that is going on in the world that is keep people divided humor as Mark Twain wrote is really the only effective weapon we have to fight it. How can you be mad at something or someone when you are laughing.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1637 W North Ave
- Website: www.liveatnorthbar.com
- Phone: 773.697.3563
- Email: jim@liveatnorthbar.com
- Instagram: @AtNorthBar
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtNorthBar
- Twitter: @LiveAtNorthBar
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
