Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Meier.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in the San Francisco bay area. I have moved around quite a bit due to school and work. I now split my time between Clarksdale, Mississippi and the Pacific Northwest. I love the diversity of the regions and the chance to experience the balance the culture, music, and food of the two regions.
Along the way, I have spent my time at music clubs listening to emerging bands. For example, I backed a little-known band in the early 90s called Everclear and then proceeded to join a group buying a well-known grunge music club in Seattle, The Crocodile Cafe, from one of the band members of REM. The club has done very well and it was a great outlet for me while working in high tech. It was my first BUT not my last involvement with world class music clubs.
One thing led to another and back in 2017 I traveled to the Mississippi Delta for my in person indoctrination to Delta Blues. I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Luckett, Morgan Freeman, and Howard Stovall who had co-founded Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale back in 2001. With a lot of hard work, luck, and the legend of Clarksdale, the club has become the epicenter of blues hosting millions of avid listeners from around the world over the last 22 years. Because of our world-class “product” delivered by blues artists, great venue, and excellent staff, the club has become the number one blues club in the world. Juke Joint Festival in April, our anniversary party in May, and New Year’s Eve are epic.
I joined Bill, Morgan, and Howard as an investor in 2018 and assumed a greater role with Bill’s passing in 2021. The Luckett family, Morgan and Howard have remained very active and supportive of the club.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Ha. Life is not a smooth road. How boring would that be? But it has been incredibly rewarding. We have a great team running the day-to-day operations.
We have had to navigate the pandemic, for example. We are a live venue hosting fans from around the globe coming to see authentic blues artists. When the pandemic hit, we wanted to continue offering world-class music. So, we launched the Quarantine Series. The result was over 1 million people attended our 12-part series via Facebook. Morgan Freeman and Bill Luckett provided the introductions and artists such as Kingfish, Super Chicken, Big A, and Ben Payton streamed their craft. The Quarantine Series kept our brand alive, delivered wonderful life experiences to fans around the globe, and allowed the artists to maintain their exposure during this challenging time.
It allowed our listeners to stay connected. Also, our merchandise sales were incredibly strong at that time.
People wanted something to remind them of the club when they couldn’t be there in person.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Ground Zero Blues Club?
Ground Zero was started in 2001 by Bill Luckett, Morgan Freeman, and Howard Stovall. They opened a world-class Juke Joint in the heart of Clarksdale, MS by converting an old cotton warehouse into a blues club. Over the past 22 years, the club has been recognized as the top blues club in the world and one of the best live venues in the world. We have kept the place as an authentic juke joint hosting great artists including numerous award winners such as Bobby Rush, Kingfish, Wynonna Judd, and Willie Nelson.
Over the years, the club has maintained an authentic look and feel complete with graffiti, flags from around the world, murals, fried green tomatoes, tamales, creaky floors, oh, and a killer sound system. The restrooms could probably use an upgrade but it completes the vibe.
All major domestic and international TV networks have filmed at our club to help tell the “Ground Zero story”. And of course, Morgan has done his fair share to promote as well…which doesn’t hurt.
Patrons come here to enjoy great music, experience, hospitality, and the Mississippi Delta mystique. I am pleased to say that our success has now led to a second Ground Zero Blues Club on the coast in Biloxi. Come visit!
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the people here in Clarksdale, MS, the music we deliver to our patrons, and the friendliness. Our team at the club is awesome. The managers, wait staff, sound engineer, and kitchen promise to provide an authentic Delta experience. We wouldn’t be here today without them.
While the journey to the Delta can take a little extra time, it is worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.groundzerobluesclub.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gzbluesclub/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GroundZeroBluesClub?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Ground Zero Blues Club
