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.