Ed Beeson

From Cooking to Booking

When Ed Beeson got his first recording in the late 1950's little did he know that the music would ignite a long career in concert promotion and the food & beverage industry.  That first LP, one of Ray Charles', hangs today in his Ballard office as a reminder of where he's been as he continues his notable career in Puget Sound.

Beeson entered the world of food and beverage when he opened his first restaurant in Ellensburg in the 1970's.  Selling that establishment and moving closer to Seattle, Beeson took over a two story grange hall in Duvall and christened it The Silver Spoon in 1978.  Originally providing wholesome meals to the area's then sparse populace, it wasn't long before patrons began arriving with their instruments and started  striking a few chords within the structure.  Within a year Beeson latched onto the welcome addition and began booking concerts in the upstairs loft.  "Scott Cossu, Riley & Maloney, and Bryan Bowers were some of the first to play the room," said Beeson during our recent interview session.  "Later came artists like Michael Tomlinson and Uncle Bonsai."  Soon agents around the country were hip to Beeson's room and began providing nationally touring artists to Beeson.  A concert promoter was born.

By 1983 the town of Duvall grew wary of the excess traffic and success Beeson was having, so Beeson tapped his sound man, Dan Mortenson, and purchased the Backstage in Ballard from it's owners.  The Backstage  was a perfect spot to migrate to as it featured a kitchen and stage, just what Beeson needed to continue his now growing legacy.  He kicked the opening off with a bang when he booked in David Lindley and El Rayo-X who were on a major national tour to promote Lindley's second solo release on Asylum Records.  The list of names Beeson booked into the room following that show is endless covering nearly every genre of music and artists, representing popular styles from nearly every decade of the century.      

Beeson's strengths at booking were noticed by others around town, many who themselves had opened night clubs and would use him to book and promote their rooms.  In 1995 he began working with One Reel to book and promote events such as Summer Nights at the Pier, WOMAD and Bumbershoot.  By 1997 Beeson was booking more than 500 shows a year.  Unable to give The Backstage his undivided attention, Beeson sold the venue and took on full time duties with One Reel.

Beeson kept his hands in food and beverage at One Reel, becoming the company's ace in the whole - setting up the food services for it's popular Teatro Zinzani - which has now begun a run around the US.

In 1997, together with Tractor nightclub owner Dan Cowan, Beeson purchased Hattie's Hat, the famed Ballard eatery which has survived decades.  "We saw what was happening to places like The Dog House and wanted to grasp the opportunity to keep a part of Seattle's history alive," he notes.  While having a cocktail with Cowan one night after a Tractor concert, Beeson, realizing how much business the club was bringing to Hattie's after shows, said bluntly to Cowan "We should buy this place!"  A deal was struck with Hattie's former owner soon after and a renovation was just around the corner.  

Most notably the mural that resides over the dining counter was indeed a classic work of art painted in the early 50's.  But four decades of cigarette smoke, grease and grime had taken their toll on this masterpiece.  A restoration expert was hired to come in, clean it up and apply a protective coating to the mural.

'Guest bartender' nights are a once in a while event that Hattie's holds and it's always a lot of fun to attend.  Local Ballard resident PJ ??????? put his best foot forward in this capacity one night wooing patrons with Godzilla videos and a bizarre mix of music he had preprogrammed for the affair.  Hattie's Hat was also the site on election night 1997 when a mock 'Mayor of Ballard' election was held. One way or another it's always fun to visit Hattie's and Beeson and Cowan have succeeded in keeping this landmark alive and well.

Today, Beeson continues his work in local food and beverage projects and the independent world of concert promotion.  He shares office space with a fellow promoter, running his Backstage Promotions company in Ballard.  His son, Abe, recently began a career in radio and dee-jay's a number of air shifts at two of the area's more popular public radio stations.  Will Beeson open another concert venue anytime soon?  "I'm always on the lookout," he says.  "There is an obvious void today in the clubs, which The Backstage filled.  Older people don't have many rooms in the city they can count on to see the kind of music they like anymore."

The Silver Spoon is gone, The Backstage nightclub is now a gym, but Beeson continues to provide quality shows and food concessions to people in Seattle.  Luckily this is one story that isn't finished yet...

Tom Mehren/Winter 2000

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