Asheville News

Two Black Mountain music venues face uncertain futures: White Horse holding benefit concert to keep doors open; Watershed closes after not renewing lease

Jason Sandford January 12, 2011

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

The White Horse Black Mountain venue is holding a Keep White Horse Kickin’ concert on Saturday, while The Watershed bar will close that day. Here’s the story from the Black Mountain News:

This Saturday will mark tough times for two entertainment establishments in Black Mountain.

One music venue, the White Horse Black Mountain, will hold a benefit concert to keep its doors open.

Another pub that sometimes features music, The Watershed, will close and its owners haven’t found a new home yet.

In some ways, the two businesses have different circumstances to explain their troubles, but in other ways, they faced some of the same difficulties.

The Watershed’s two owners, Benji Ford and Todd Dy, and their landlord, Larry Robinson, could not reach terms to renew their lease.

“We’re just kind of stepping back, taking a deep breath, and thinking about our next move,” Ford said.

Ford also said business had not been as healthy in recent years as before the economic downturn. In addition to the recession, he cited competition from other establishments and last year’s smoking ban as reasons for a decline in business.

Bob Hinkle, co-owner of the White Horse, said he is courting investors for a cash infusion and hopes to expand into the special events rental market to buoy revenue.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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3 Comments

Don Talley January 12, 2011

Black Mountain has several good music venues (including Town Pump Tavern, Pisgah Brewing, Straightaway Cafe). Each one is unique and each one adds value to the regional music scene.

As one of the organizer/sponsors of the upcoming White Horse Benefit, I'll try to answer Ashevillians question. White Horse is a for-profit business but they've not been making a profit.
Maybe we should just say "tough"…."sorry bout your luck"….but taking positive action seems to be a better alternative.
There are a loyal group of friends and supporters of White Horse (including both listeners and musicians) who appreciates what the past efforts of White Horse (including benefits for Haiti, WNCW, Full Moon Farm, Boy Scouts, bassist Chris Kew following brain surgery, 5-year old cancer patient Shayla Garrett, and others). Rather than just see the venue fold (like The Rocket Club did) we took it upon ourself to support something we believe in. We organized a benefit for White Horse in April of 2010 and are helping with the current KEEP WHITE HORSE KICKIN benefit this coming Saturday.

If White Horse ends up closing, at least we can say we made an effort to support something which has brought added value to our community.

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ashevillain January 12, 2011

Technically speaking isn't EVERY SHOW they hold a benefit show for White Horse?

I mean, they are a FOR PROFIT business correct? Why should people donate more money above the ticket price to keep the business afloat? Is there a slice of the ownership at stake? The owners might as well reorganize as a co-op if they are going to hold benefit concerts for themselves (this is not the first time they've done this).

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Hungry January 12, 2011

If White Horse promoted its shows and even told fans about the performers, rather than simply giving the name of the group, I think they might draw more from Asheville. It is as if they assume that their audience are insiders who knows everything about their performers. Actually, we don't know that inside info! How about an MP3 or a YouTube video from a prior show to help convince us to drive from Asheville? Maybe a quick summary to even tell us what kind of genre? For illustration purposes, consider that they do not have any info about the nature of the performers for their $20/person Saturday night benefit — nothing on their blogs or their calendar. Come on WHBM, show your fans some love and you'll probably get some in return…

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