Goble Tavern just plays on

After renovation, historic Goble Tavern is still the place to jam

By Darryl Swan

The South County Spotlight, Mar 11, 2010, Updated Mar 18, 2010 (1 Reader comment)

MUSIC LOVERS ALL — (Left to right) Guy Live, Miz Mary, Jay Looman, Linda Myers and Harvey Wicklund settle into a familiar role at the Goble Tavern.

Darryl Swan / The South County Spotlight

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Correction appended

Some regulars call it “Nashville West.” To others, it’s the home of the stars.

Some point to the legend about Willie Nelson’s mom – yes, the Willie Nelson – who worked there as a bartender in the 1950s.

But no matter what you call it, or how many yarns can be dug up from the past, the story about the Goble Tavern for yesterday and today is one about music and character.

“You meet more interesting people in this tavern than you can imagine,” says Linda Myers, a patron since 1972 who leads and sings for The Linda Myers Band, a collection of rhythm-and-blues personalities who have kicked around the Portland metro music circuit and beyond.

In many cases, they’ve landed at the Goble Tavern, sipping alcoholic or, in Myers’ case, non-alcoholic brews and dreaming up the next music venture. She recently auditioned for “America’s Got Talent” when the show’s scouts passed through Portland.

Myers husband and band mate, Harvey Wicklund, 67, toured as the rhythm guitarist for surf music hall-of-famers, The Ventures, in the years 1982-83.

“I love those guys,” says Wicklund of the experience.

None is likely as vehement about championing the tavern as Guy Live. “It’s always been the thing,” Live says of the Goble Tavern’s music prowess.

Sporting a chest-length iron-gray beard tied off with a cobalt bead at the tip, Live and his wife, Miz Mary, 36, make up a blues and music promotions duo who seem as much regular fixtures at the tavern as are the mounted bison head over the door or the recently refurbished mural-turned-portrait of a 1950s-era Mt. St. Helens.

In fact, when Live – one of the founding members of the Blind Rootin’ Hogs, the historic Goble Tavern act that to this days commands nods of respect – gives a tour of the tavern’s stage- and sound-system-equipped backyard, it’s like he’s giving a tour of his own. “It’s better than it’s ever been,” Live says. “The soul is still here.”

If the soul hasn’t changed, the bones have. The Goble Tavern underwent major reconstructive surgery in November 2006, shortly after its purchase by new owners Mike and Merril Avent of Rainier. The foundation was raised, exposing three bowed ship beams used as structural support. It was shored up and solidified, holes in the bathroom floor patched and the space softened to give it an old-timey, mountain-music feel. Many of its artifacts remain, however; the skeleton of the viking boat still haunts the parking lot, and historic bric-a-brac hangs from support beams and walls.

The timing was right for the renovation, says Jay Looman. Some regulars had stopped going to the tavern, claiming it had become overrun by a bad drug scene. When the tavern re-opened in 2008, it seemed to have shaken off the bad vibe and crowd, but not all of the respected regulars have been back to check it out.

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