#151 Frank Hicks - Owner, Knuckleheads World Famous Music Venue; C.E.O. of the F.O.G. (F*cking Old Guys) Club - Powered by LOC8 Real Estate Marketing Agency & Summit Lending

 Famous musicians to play Knuckleheads:  

• Merle Haggard, Sturgill Simpson, Bruce Hornsby, Edgar & Johnny Winter, Aaron Neville, Kevin Bacon, Blackberry Smoke, Burton Cummings of the Guess Who, Buddy Guy, David Allen Coe, Don McLean, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Johny Lang, Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Costner, Los Lonely Boys, Marcus King, Poco, Queensryche, Uncle Cracker, Randy Bachman, Skid Row, Tanya Tucker, Bob Jovi, Soulshine
• Humble beginnings - Motorcycle repair shop (FOG Cycles) turned best live music venue in the midwest.
  • Story of how the name of the business came to be? (Three Stooges)
  • Importance of not being married to an idea or business idea for eternity - plans change sometimes, growth mindset, etc.
• Leon Russell first show you booked, that didn’t quite pan out? - 6 Gold Records, 2 Grammys - Story about getting burned and life lessons surrounding this occasion
  • Schooled up on contract law, etc
• Story of murals of deceased musicians?
• History of Knuckleheads site and buildings? History of Music and entertainment in the East Bottoms
  • Late 1800s - Heim Brewing Co
  • Railcars would carry customers to/from the brewery & City Market
• Defiance during covid - Govt overreach, importance of live music during troubling economic and uncertain times
• Knuckleheads - 5 venues in one - How did the idea of turning the bike repair shop into a live music venue turn into 5 venues?
• My first experience and knowledge of Knucks - “Billy Bob Thornton’s band plays there!”
  • Actually just played there last week
• Before Reiger Whiskey’s massive operation ... .why and how did you choose the East Bottoms area in KC and how did you, essentially, convince people from all over to visit the E.Bottoms when they probably wouldn’t have otherwise?
• TRAIN - The train’s howl shakes walls and rattles doors. It’s also frequently responsible for eerie, magical moments that can happen only at Knuckleheads. “Joe Ely was playing here one time…..
• Expansion of outdoor area - why? Big cost to you?
• Business lesson: Slow and steady wins the race, 1% better every day and then 25 years later….you’re where you are.
• “This is the kind of stuff that makes you feel like you’ve done something.” - Frank Hicks
• “Was never about the money. It was about having a big party with friends, in my backyard. Everyone who comes here is equal and we all come for the same reason - to enjoy live music.”
• Known for charity fundraisers and community events - Frankie D, 86 year old Kansas City man who was dragged to death in a carjacking in 2017, while trying to fight off the thief

The Always Be Cool Podcast (ABC) celebrates people doing extraordinary things, chasing their passions, and betting on themselves. Each episode features authentic conversations that inspire and entertain. Brought to you by Summit Lending and LOC8 Real Estate Marketing Agency, helping real estate professionals get found on Google and win more business. 

🎙 The Always Be Cool Podcast is brought to you by:

🏡 Summit Lending – Your trusted partner for home loans and refinancing. Learn more at SummitLendingUSA.com - SummitLendingUSA.com

🔎 LOC8 Real Estate Marketing Agency – Helping real estate agents, mortgage pros, and inspectors get found on Google with powerful Google Business Profile + SEO strategies - LOC8MyBusiness.com

Support the show

Summit Lending
SummitLendingUSA.com

LOC8 My Business - Real Estate Marketing Agency

https://loc8mybusiness.com/