(This article posted the evening of February 10 on the MidRivers Newsmagazine site. From the very next day and even through today, it has been the most read article on the entire site!)
Since its first known use in 1889, ‘honky tonk’ has carried mostly negative connotations as tawdry country music nightclubs or dance halls. But there’s nothing of poor quality at Main Street Honky Tonk, especially regarding its musical acts.
Dustin English and Paul Wegeng bought Uncle Joe’s Bar and Grill last April. They shut it down around July 1; then, held a grand opening for Main Street Honky Tonk in Historic Saint Charles on Dec. 16.
“It was a bit later than we wanted," English said. "But it’s been nothing but good things and good vibes.
“Our goal is just to give people a different experience on Main Street. I wanted a bit older and established crowd to come down there. The idea was to get ones who used to come down but kind of shied away because of some of the events that have happened recently. We’re trying to bring a different energy to Main Street. Our target market is about age 35 and older, but we want all ages to be there and feel welcome.”
The major selling point of Main Street Honky Tonk is its abundance of live country music, which is offered every night, except on Tuesdays when it's all about karaoke. English attributed a great deal of the venue's musical success to Anthony Russo, who serves as its music booking manager.
"Not only was he a big help on the music side, he actually helped with some of the finishing construction stuff for us so we could get this place opened up as quickly as possible. He deserves a lot of credit,” English said.
Russo, who has an extensive entertainment background, also performs at Main Street Honky Tonk on a regular basis. He describes himself as "a backbeat type."
“Look up old artists like John Hartford, who was an old St. Louis musician who would take a banjo and flat foot dance at the same time. I’m more of a rhythm tap dancer," Russo said. "My band, and even when I’m playing by myself, do stop time which is when the band punches the downbeat of a measure then hold quiet for a second, and I’ll tap dance. Then, they’ll punch the downbeat and I’ll dance more. I’m trying to bring a little of the old style with the new. It goes over really well.”
His resume includes touring the world as a tap dancer beginning at age 17.
His maternal grandparents bought the Performing Arts Centre on Kingshighway in St. Charles in 1974. It moved to Main Street for 27 years, then to Country Club Plaza. His dad, Jerry, who passed in 2014, played guitar, acted and served as a carpenter for local theaters and was the technical director for New Jewish Theatre in Creve Coeur.
“I've always enjoyed performing,” said Russo, who noted that Main Street Honky Tonk is answering an unmet need.
“We’ve been saturated with the classic rock cover bands for as long as I remember,” he said. “I grew up on Main Street before you could drive down on it when it was still all cobblestones and brick fountains. There was Baja Rock Club, Tuners and a lot more classic rock acts and entertainment. But as far as the demographics go ... two hours away in every direction from St. Louis City, you’re going to find your majority market is country music."
Russo said Main Street Honky Tonk features solo acoustic acts during the week with duos, trios and full bands on Fridays and Saturdays. English added that, while most of the entertainers are from around the St. Louis area, they’ve also had people from Nashville and neighboring states.
“We felt pretty confident that live country music would go over well in St. Charles,” English said. “We want to give out a Nashville feel where they can enjoy the live music. People are having a blast! "
The one downside is the venue's size but soon it will have a sister venue – Margo Margo Ritas Plus Tacos – right next door.
“As patrons walk up to the Honky Tonk, if there’s a line up and down the sidewalk, (and they want) a little extra room to spread out, (they) can pop next door and have some food,” Russo said. “We also have a huge parking lot out back, and we are among some of the best bars and restaurants in St. Charles.”
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