23 Comments
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Patris's avatar

Such a good story. Freeways have a way of taking out the homes the powers don’t care about.

But I’d really I’d like to stop in at Fenner’s.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Here's one of the inspirations. https://g.co/kgs/bn6aTu

There is another venue, but I know increasing popularity brought it increased scrutiny and I don't know it it's still running.

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Patris's avatar

I can see it - the bands, the whole environment

- and the excitement of hearing music and a voice come out of a real human in real time.

Miss those days

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Patty Mallett's avatar

Interesting. I liked the Black Bottom footnote/link to Wikipedia. We did some shitty things to build freeways all over the state.

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Marc Typo's avatar

My favorite kind of fiction is historical fiction. What happened to Black Bottom and Paradise Valley happened all over the country. Railroads were built right through vibrant black and brown neighborhoods and contributed to segregation. Great story, as always, Jimmy.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Thanks Marc! I was just feeling the people when I started writing them I thought it might be wise to add the historical nonfiction that inspired the fiction.

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Coffee Times's avatar

Thank you for sharing this glimpse into the soul of a city, and a heartfelt Happy Thanksgiving to you as well.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Thanks Winston! Happy Thanksgiving

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Ben Woestenburg's avatar

2nd to last line you called "FENNER'S" Renner's

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Mashed Potato fingers. Thanks for the edit. I'll grab it.

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Joe's avatar

Real roots.

Reminds me of Cornelius Bumpus, who was headed for Murphys, CA. I used to live an hour from there and my daughter went to Columbia JC. People were saying why was a big name going to a place they'd never heard of? He was going to his roots - one of those places where real music exists.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

When you can find those places it's truly priceless.

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Kate's avatar

I can feel the love for music in this story.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Music brought me where I am today

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C.L. Steiner's avatar

Reminds me of Ry Cooder’s “Chavez Ravine” album, about the destruction of a vibrant Latino community to build Dodger Stadium.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Kinda doesn't surprise me. I'll have to listen to it

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Ain’t that the way of things? All the old places disappear or change.

And there is a difference between playing the right notes and making music.

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Musicians always find a place but sometimes the crowd doesn't follow them. It's a shame.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

True of any art.

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Luke's avatar

Excellent story!

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Jimmy Doom's avatar

Thanks! Obviously one that needs to be told.

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PJ Ryder's avatar

Detroits has torn a lot. Especially neighborhoods, almost whole neighborhoods. But, my sister and brother in law, who live in Manhattan, came to Detroit to look at all the great old architecture and buildings. Didn’t even stay with us because they wanted to stay in a renovated older building. They say Detroit has held onto so much more than NYC. They tear everything down in New York.

Sometimes we need out of towners to tell us what we have.

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Carol Angel's avatar

This is all true, hard to find that feeling of music, smoke filled friendly neighborhood dens. Someone should create a directory for this type of soul moving spots.

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