They're calling it a battle of the bands, but the only battle actually being fought is one to save a well-known St. Paul rock and blues venue, the Minnesota Music Cafe.
Veteran acts including the Soul Tight Committee, Westside, Jay Bee & the Routine, High & Mighty and the Good, the Bad & the Funky are banding together today to help pay some of the bills at the bar, which has been in business for 11 years at 499 Payne Av.
Soul Tight singer Maurice Jacox says the bar's owner, Karen Palm, has been hit hard by the recession and smoking ban, plus she had a falling out with former co-owner Billy Larson. The original plan was to host a big festival over Labor Day weekend, but Jacox said the situation is dire enough to require immediate action.
"Karen is the kind of club owner who pays musicians well even before they have a following, so we all want to do what we can to help her now," Jacox said. "Plus, we can't afford to lose another music venue in this town."
The music will start at 4 p.m., and donations will be taken at the door. For more information call 651-776-4699 or go to MinnesotaMusicCafe.com.
