Lessons in How Not to Run a Business from Dan’s Silverleaf in Denton, Texas

If you are familiar with The Flatlanders, the trio of singer/songwriters who formed in Lubbock in the early ‘70s, you may know that Butch Hancock often penned some of the best material for Joe Ely and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.  When I saw Jimmie Dale Gilmore recently, he said, “I would have written more songs, but I was more interested in learning the songs that Butch Hancock wrote.”  I have been interested in seeing Hancock for years, so I was excited to see that he was performing in Dan’s Silverleaf in Denton, Texas.  Dan’s Silverleaf is an intimate venue in a college town that has a vibrant music scene.  I have seen Joe Ely there on several occasions and had never had a bad experience at the venue.

When I arrived last night, it looked like about fifteen advance tickets had been sold.  The tables in front of the stage are often reserved, but weren’t last evening.  I sat at a front table with the realization there would be plenty of seating for anyone that attended.  The show started late, as the norm, and I killed time playing with my phone.  During the opening act, several people around me took pictures, a few using flash photography.  I snapped a picture using my iPhone without flash and a tall gentlemen came up to me and stated, “HEY, you AREN’T going to be THAT GUY that sits there and takes pictures ALL NIGHT, ARE YOU?”   I thought the person was exceptionally rude, but I wasn’t going to start a confrontation and simply said, “No, I’m not.”  From the guy’s tone, I had a feeling I would be hearing from him again.

Between sets, the gentlemen introduced himself as “Danny,” and said that he had been having legal issues with people posting photographs and videos.  I quickly deduced that he was the owner of the club.  He said that someone had posted a picture of a turntable “on Google” and he had received a $1,000 lawsuit over the image.  He also noted that he had been  “profiling me” since I was sitting by myself and not drinking alcohol.  I tried to be as polite as I could since I had driven over an hour to see this show.

Two points to make here.  One, if you don’t want photographs taken inside your venue, then why not simply state that policy on your website/tickets/venue?  Other people around me took pictures and I didn’t notice any issues.  Secondly, if Danny thinks there is a drinking requirement to see a performer, maybe he should be managing a strip club.

After Hancock started his set, Danny asked to sit by me, which of course made me feel incredibly comfortable after our previous conversations.  After Hancock finished a song, he would scream with a bewildered tone “WHAT THE FUCK?”  Later, he went to the back of the club.  One of the things I had liked about the Silverleaf in the past was that it was a true listening room.  If customers were talking during the performance, the sound manager would politely, yet firmly, tell them to be quiet.  During Hancock’s set, the club owner was being rudely loud, projecting loud conversation and self-initiated laughter over the music.

I would have loved to have said a few words to Butch Hancock after the show – about how much his music has meant to me and it was an honor to see him perform, but I felt like I needed to leave quickly to avoid another manufactured confrontation.

So, Danny Boy, don’t worry about profiling me in your club again, because I’ll never be back.  And, if you don’t like this pic of Butch Hancock that I took during his soundcheck, sue me.