Alive & Well In Its Own Place
What do seasoned musicians do when they tire of life on the road playing far-flung dates and clubs?
They open their own spot and settle in at a place they can call home. That is, if they happen to be the members of Alive & Well.
About a month ago, the six members and their co-owner/general manager, Steve Wickering, opened their new club, Pocketts, at 2756 Birchcrest Drive SE.
Not only did they takeover ownership of what was once the Pier 28 lounge behind Pietro's resturant south of 28th Street, their own blood, sweat and tears went into remodeling and redesigning the atmoshpere of the place.
Though the idea of owning and operating their own club came up three years ago, the band Alive & Well had its beginning more than a decade ago under the name Stillwater in 1973.
Siblings Jerry Adams and Cindy Kropf, with Cindy's husband, Dale, formed the original core of the band. In 1974 they acquired the services of guitarist Dan Lomas and drummer Carl Andrews and later the keyboard skill of Roger MacNaughton.
In the years since, the Lowell natives in Alive and Well have done everything from opening shows at the Lowell Showboat for the Osmonds and Dottie West, to warming up the crowd at boxing matches.
"It was semipro boxing," said lead vocalist Adams. "We'd set up in the ring, play, tear down and then they'd box. It was an interesting crowd to play for. That was about five years ago."
The life of a working band provides its share of surprises and anecdotes.
"We also warmed up for the demolition derby," Adams said, "We've paid our dues."
"Hey, we did get the best seats in the house for the derby, though," Cindy chimed in.
The band members opened Pocketts after being convinced they could pull together all the ideas they had seen over the years in the clubs they had played, then incorporate them into a place of their own.
"It couldn't have worked out better," said Lomas.
With the help of interior designer Nancy Henrickson, Alive and Well has created an art deco-style environment to house its blend of Top 40 dance covers and '50s and '60s medleys.
The club's space was designed by Dale Kropf and features a sunken dance floor and an as-yet inoperative "sound and light booth" that has become a favorite roost for patrons who want to survey the entire room. A raised stage in the north end of the bar insures that everyone can see the band working out its chops.
"We did everything that didn't require licensed contractors," Andrews said. "Cindy was our resident drywall expert."
Alive and Well plays five sets a night, Tuesday through Saturday, starting at 9 p.m. and ending about 20 minutes before closing time at 2 a.m.
Alive and Well won't be the only act to take the stage at Pocketts. A performance by Gary Puckett has been scheduled for Sept. 8 and tickets for that show will be available for $10 at local Believe In Music stores.
Lomas said the hope also is to schedule performances by comedians and additional music acts at Pocketts.
The club offers cocktails and a munchie menu and features a unique warning card on each table that counsels customers on the wisdom of drinking in moderation.
"We want our quests to get home safely so thay can come back again," Lomas said.
Andrews said Alive and Well rehearses new music a couple of times a week to make certain the members stay current with the hits on the charts, and the band plans to finish an album after fine-tuning the business end of the new operation.
The satisfaction the band members get in their latest undertaking is evident when they lean back and survey their handiwork.
"It gives is that much more pride to know that we did this ourselves," Adams said.
Todd Halterman.....The Grand Rapids Press
They open their own spot and settle in at a place they can call home. That is, if they happen to be the members of Alive & Well.
About a month ago, the six members and their co-owner/general manager, Steve Wickering, opened their new club, Pocketts, at 2756 Birchcrest Drive SE.
Not only did they takeover ownership of what was once the Pier 28 lounge behind Pietro's resturant south of 28th Street, their own blood, sweat and tears went into remodeling and redesigning the atmoshpere of the place.
Though the idea of owning and operating their own club came up three years ago, the band Alive & Well had its beginning more than a decade ago under the name Stillwater in 1973.
Siblings Jerry Adams and Cindy Kropf, with Cindy's husband, Dale, formed the original core of the band. In 1974 they acquired the services of guitarist Dan Lomas and drummer Carl Andrews and later the keyboard skill of Roger MacNaughton.
In the years since, the Lowell natives in Alive and Well have done everything from opening shows at the Lowell Showboat for the Osmonds and Dottie West, to warming up the crowd at boxing matches.
"It was semipro boxing," said lead vocalist Adams. "We'd set up in the ring, play, tear down and then they'd box. It was an interesting crowd to play for. That was about five years ago."
The life of a working band provides its share of surprises and anecdotes.
"We also warmed up for the demolition derby," Adams said, "We've paid our dues."
"Hey, we did get the best seats in the house for the derby, though," Cindy chimed in.
The band members opened Pocketts after being convinced they could pull together all the ideas they had seen over the years in the clubs they had played, then incorporate them into a place of their own.
"It couldn't have worked out better," said Lomas.
With the help of interior designer Nancy Henrickson, Alive and Well has created an art deco-style environment to house its blend of Top 40 dance covers and '50s and '60s medleys.
The club's space was designed by Dale Kropf and features a sunken dance floor and an as-yet inoperative "sound and light booth" that has become a favorite roost for patrons who want to survey the entire room. A raised stage in the north end of the bar insures that everyone can see the band working out its chops.
"We did everything that didn't require licensed contractors," Andrews said. "Cindy was our resident drywall expert."
Alive and Well plays five sets a night, Tuesday through Saturday, starting at 9 p.m. and ending about 20 minutes before closing time at 2 a.m.
Alive and Well won't be the only act to take the stage at Pocketts. A performance by Gary Puckett has been scheduled for Sept. 8 and tickets for that show will be available for $10 at local Believe In Music stores.
Lomas said the hope also is to schedule performances by comedians and additional music acts at Pocketts.
The club offers cocktails and a munchie menu and features a unique warning card on each table that counsels customers on the wisdom of drinking in moderation.
"We want our quests to get home safely so thay can come back again," Lomas said.
Andrews said Alive and Well rehearses new music a couple of times a week to make certain the members stay current with the hits on the charts, and the band plans to finish an album after fine-tuning the business end of the new operation.
The satisfaction the band members get in their latest undertaking is evident when they lean back and survey their handiwork.
"It gives is that much more pride to know that we did this ourselves," Adams said.
Todd Halterman.....The Grand Rapids Press
