“About the middle of April, I stood out in the parking lot and flipped a coin. I had to decide if I shut The Listening Room down, walk away and stop a the bleeding or dig a little deeper and ride it out. I thought all along it was a great idea but Mobile has been slow to respond. We would have 60 in here one night and 8 in here the next. The coin came up heads, but I didn’t have much deeper to dig. Lisa Mills played that Saturday night and blew it out and it has taken off since then and we have survived. This room is not for everyone, it has to be the right people for a listening room. A lot of people can’t sit still and listen.”
I just have to educate myself on a new way to tell these stories
“My grandfathers were coal miners. They raised large families: six on one side, ten on the other. They raised a lot of...
I love this place!! Best spot to LISTEN to music IMO. Unfortunately I don’t get out very often and when we do we tend to stay away from downtown Mobile because of recent events. We live in Eastern Shore and prefer to stay close to home. But I always give a good word when i know folks want to hear good music! Best of luck whatever you decide!
I know full well what you were going through. Nine years ago we bought a little tavern in northern Ontario & started booking live music in a region where Karoake was king. Almost bankrupted us but now we have an educated customer base.
Thank you, Jim! Yep, Lisa’s show was one damn fine performance — for her and for YOU!
Thanks chip. You the man.
Jim, what you have begun here is essential and much needed and welcomed in a community known for its rich musical heritage. It’s been slow to start, we have seen, but you have really gotten the ball rolling and that momentum is growing! We as music lovers are encouraged to bring our friends and let them witness, first hand, the beauty and unique vibe of The Listening Room.
Thanks susan
Hi Jim Love the place, just visited first time last Thursday and coming again Saturday night.
Thanks mark
The Listening Room is a fantastic venue, Jim, and I think that anyone who has played there or gone as a guest has come away with an understanding of what live music could truly be like in Mobile if the public supported it. Personally, I would hate to see it go. But I realize that business is business and music is music. I support whatever you decide, but I hope you can stay open, for music’s sake. Take a look at one of your neighbors, Veet’s. It has survived some really low times but is one of the premier music venues downtown today! Keep the faith, my friend!
Great venue where the artist and listener matter. Jim Pennington is one of the nicest, most generous people I’ve ever worked for. This place should be filled to capacity every time the doors open.
So glad you did brother! I love you and what you’ve done.
Thanks my man
Love your place Jim. People young and old mingle. Everyone is friendly and civilized. I enjoy the music and I feel safe. Thanks for hanging on!
Where are you located?
It is in downtown Mobile.
If only we lived in Mobile! I bet you’ve seen us every time we’ve had a date night on the Western Shore. Love The Listening Room and all my local bands and performers!
Thanks melanie!
Wish you all the luck to keep going. Mobile needs Live Music Venues. I would drive from Tx to see Ricky Chancey and Lisa Mills at Crockmires. Will visit 1st trip to Mobile.
Email is all lowercase.
Where is your listening room?
It is in downtown Mobile.
Thanks, Jim, for taking the time and having the heart to let the place grow. Mobile is a great city, and deserves to have you and The Listening Room.
There’s a delightful ambience in this awesome little venue that brings out the best in a performer. Jim Pennington’s generous spirit and genuine love for music and songwriters is a huge draw for me. He wants the audience to hear what I write about, he doesn’t want me to be background noise, and he is the catalyst that connects me with new friends every time I play there. I’m grateful beyond words that this place has settled in and I hope it becomes one of the iconic venues on the Gulf Coast. The Listening Room deserves to be on that historic list.
Thank you, Jim.
Happy for the Heads Up 🙂
Jim has created such a great venue in Mobile…The intimate setting and sound quality of his Bose system brings out the best in artists, which in turn makes every evening at The Listeming Room very special. Thank you for believing, Jim!!