blues icons Bo Dudley , Johnny Copeland , Albert Collins and Clarence “ Gate mouth ” Brown , who took him under their wing .
“ Growing up in Galveston , I dreamed of playing The Balinese Room which was part of Galveston ’ s history ,” he said .
Operated by Sicilian immigrant barbers-turned-bootleggers Sam and Rosario Maceo , the Balinese Room was an elite spot in the 1940s and 1950s ( Galveston ' s open era ), featuring entertainment by Frank Sinatra , Bob Hope , Peggy Lee and The Marx Brothers .
The venue , which extended over the Gulf of Mexico at 2107 Seawall Blvd ., was destroyed by Hurricane Ike on Sept . 13 , 2008 . Indeed , The Balinese Room was a pop culture icon ; ZZ Top even wrote and performed a song about the club called , “ Balinese .”
Loomis said that one of the highlights of his career was performing at the historic nightclub . In fact , he played there almost a dozen times before its demise .
“ Growing up in Galveston as a young musician you dream of playing there , and when it becomes a reality it ’ s so satisfying , and at the same time very humbling and gratifying ,” Loomis said . “ I feel totally honored to have been able to a part of that history and to share that history .”
Loomis is doing his part to keep The Blues going strong , and the harmonica workshop at Galveston College is a big step in that direction . It ’ s a great chance for music lovers 12 and up to get some hands-on training from one of the best .
The workshop costs $ 60 per person , and takes place from 6-9 p . m . on April 24 and 25 at the Galveston College Fine Arts Building . Participants will receive a new 10-hole harmonica , a practice CD and informative materials .