Granada owner, Mike Schoder - celebrating four years Photo: Bill Ellison

Four years may not sound like a long time but, in these fickle and trying times of the DFW music scene, it’s a rarity for a club to stay open more than a few months. It’s also tough to keep a place afloat that regularly features local talent. Owner Mike Schoder has surpassed expectations and the business model in making The Granada a world-class venue. Security became “Serenity,” the place is smoke-free and they actually believe in (gasp!) customer service. So to celebrate their anniversary this night, a cross section of local and regional acts were organized for a very memorable show.

Big D’s Flat People got things rolling early with a tight set of Wilco-inspired psychedelia. They demonstrated that simple can be complex while sprinkling their melancholy arrangements with other-worldly keyboard melodies and liberal doses of pedal steel guitar that cut deep.

Dove Hunter proved why they were voted Best Indie Act by that Dallas weekly alternative paper. Sounding like Modest Mouse on a Jack Daniels bender, they provided the most dynamic show of the evening right down to the hand percussion.

Next, Austin’s Black Joe Lewis and The Honey Bears got the crowded house jumping and dancing with a feverish revival of the James Brown sort. Complete with a three-horn section, Lewis threw down original after original of pure vintage sounding soul.

Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights closed things out in the wee hours of the a.m., dazzling the girls with their looks and charisma. Having just signed with Atlantic Records, they should be the next big thing out of the area.

Congratulations to Schoder and staff for their continued commitment - and may there be many more.