Many already know but for others the closing of Newby's on Highland comes as a shock. Todd Adams was basically forced to close the doors stemming from a 2008 law suit from BMI (music licensing). Todd fought the suit because they changed the rules after Newby's had been licensed for many years under agreed terms. They changed the guidelines which caused the licensing fees to rise drastically, something on the order of $12K per year.

Regardless of the circumstances concerning the two involved parties, Memphis has lost a great place for both national and local music. Todd continually brought in great bands and Newby's is no longer. This is just sad on many levels.

a classic place for many of my younger transgressions

Isn't this the place that Loeb bought to renovate so that the old Newby's owner bought the new Hi-Tone from Kiersky by Crosstown?

(02-06-2015 02:48 PM)kabluey Wrote:  Isn't this the place that Loeb bought to renovate so that the old Newby's owner bought the new Hi-Tone from Kiersky by Crosstown?

Loeb bought Newbys from the bank - it was in the process of foreclosure and they had lost their liquor license.

The new Hi-Tone is owned by the former Newby's bar manager who was also in charge booking for Newbys.

The owner of local was a longtime Newbys bartender. Lots of businesses and people have ties to that bar. It was a shame to see it close but it had seen better days.

(02-06-2015 01:55 PM)SayWhat? Wrote:  Many already know but for others the closing of Newby's on Highland comes as a shock. Todd Adams was basically forced to close the doors stemming from a 2008 law suit from BMI (music licensing). Todd fought the suit because they changed the rules after Newby's had been licensed for many years under agreed terms. They changed the guidelines which caused the licensing fees to rise drastically, something on the order of $12K per year.

Regardless of the circumstances concerning the two involved parties, Memphis has lost a great place for both national and local music. Todd continually brought in great bands and Newby's is no longer. This is just sad on many levels.

This is only part of the story - lots of factors led to Newbys closing.

Part of it was the BMI lawsuit, part was Dave (aka Newby) Harsch's family also suing Todd for using the trademark when Dave passed and didn't leave them anything, and part was Todd's personal life. Other music venues like minglewood and 1884 opening changed some of the types of acts that they would get and often had to settle for (although one could still see great music up there).

Sad any way you look at it.

Many, many fun stories from that place. Was pretty funny standing outside the door one night talking to Todd when a kid walked up to the bouncer and said "It's cool, I know Todd" to which Todd said "Really? I'm standing right here."

For many years it was the best music venue in the city. The past few years were tough to watch as both a patron and someone who called Todd a friend. Hope he ends up on his feet, he's a great guy.

Hate to hear this. My hanging out days were mainly when Dave was there. Played many a game of backgammon against him. He was good but I was won more than not. A lot of fun memories there. One saturday afternoon a friend and i went in there for a couple of beers. The bartender was doing his first sat. night solo and wanted to practice making shots. He was first charging us a buck a shot and then started giving them to us. Next thing I know we are making it rain at the PP club and closed it down. Rent was late that month. lol

Anybody know any details on Loeb's game plan for Newbys? They appear to be renovating it right now.

Thought I read somewhere where they were going to reopen it but don't know if that was going to be under a new name or what. Unless they are doing some pretty major work in there, I would suspect it would still be setup to host the same level of live shows, just in a an upgraded setting.

(02-06-2015 01:55 PM)SayWhat? Wrote:  Many already know but for others the closing of Newby's on Highland comes as a shock. Todd Adams was basically forced to close the doors stemming from a 2008 law suit from BMI (music licensing). Todd fought the suit because they changed the rules after Newby's had been licensed for many years under agreed terms. They changed the guidelines which caused the licensing fees to rise drastically, something on the order of $12K per year.

Regardless of the circumstances concerning the two involved parties, Memphis has lost a great place for both national and local music. Todd continually brought in great bands and Newby's is no longer. This is just sad on many levels.

Am I in a time warp?

This happened a while back, right?

(02-06-2015 04:54 PM)pkptigers07 Wrote:  Anybody know any details on Loeb's game plan for Newbys? They appear to be renovating it right now.

Thought I read somewhere where they were going to reopen it but don't know if that was going to be under a new name or what. Unless they are doing some pretty major work in there, I would suspect it would still be setup to host the same level of live shows, just in a an upgraded setting.

Loeb is remodeling it and an old bartender is moving back to m-town to run it for Loeb. I doubt they'll use the Newby's name.

They will try to repeat the success of Overton on the Highland strip and Newby's is part of that plan.

(02-06-2015 05:06 PM)salukiblue Wrote:  

(02-06-2015 01:55 PM)SayWhat? Wrote:  Many already know but for others the closing of Newby's on Highland comes as a shock. Todd Adams was basically forced to close the doors stemming from a 2008 law suit from BMI (music licensing). Todd fought the suit because they changed the rules after Newby's had been licensed for many years under agreed terms. They changed the guidelines which caused the licensing fees to rise drastically, something on the order of $12K per year.

Regardless of the circumstances concerning the two involved parties, Memphis has lost a great place for both national and local music. Todd continually brought in great bands and Newby's is no longer. This is just sad on many levels.

Am I in a time warp?

This happened a while back, right?

The foreclosure, like most, was long and drawn out but the business has been closed for several months. There was a "last hurrah" so to speak that was just old friends stopping in and out.

(02-06-2015 05:06 PM)salukiblue Wrote:  

(02-06-2015 01:55 PM)SayWhat? Wrote:  Many already know but for others the closing of Newby's on Highland comes as a shock. Todd Adams was basically forced to close the doors stemming from a 2008 law suit from BMI (music licensing). Todd fought the suit because they changed the rules after Newby's had been licensed for many years under agreed terms. They changed the guidelines which caused the licensing fees to rise drastically, something on the order of $12K per year.

Regardless of the circumstances concerning the two involved parties, Memphis has lost a great place for both national and local music. Todd continually brought in great bands and Newby's is no longer. This is just sad on many levels.

Am I in a time warp?

This happened a while back, right?

It did, but I did not see a prior post when I did a search on MT.org. So I did this post for those who did not know and for those who have moved away. I ran into Todd at Kroger the other day and it reminded me to see if anything had been posted here. Newby's was more than just a night club and music venue. It was a great place to hear great music, and meet new friends. It is kind of like an old friend passing away. Hope Todd can make a come back happen.

Gotcha.

Yeah, it was a great place.

I saw some great bands and had some fun in that joint.

Some recent information connected to Newby's. Thanks for the clarification re who from Newby's was shifting to Hi Tone.

The facelift is underway at Newby's

"Renovations and repairs continue on the former Newby's bar located on the Highland Strip near the University of Memphis.

Loeb Properties Inc. was issued a $37,000 building permit Jan. 16 for what was described as demolition, new doors and concrete work at exterior masonry walls.
...."

The Hi-Tone Café in Crosstown set to change ownership

"Former Newby's general manager, Brian "Skinny" McCabe has agreed to purchase the Memphis music venue the Hi-Tone Café from current owner, Jonathan Kiersky.

...

McCabe, who also owns the newly launched T-shirt company Dirty Cotton, said the official Hi-Tone sale should occur later this month.

"I hope everyone will come over and see me and have a few drinks," McCabe said. "Not changing the formula."

After Newby's announced their closure in November due to a lack of funds, McCabe said he considered finding his own venue but was hesitant to open a new space.

...

McCabe received the call about the potential Hi-Tone sale Dec. 4.

The only alteration planned for the 16-year-old Memphis establishment is to add a full kitchen, so the Hi-Tone can offer what McCabe called an "upscale menu with casual prices."

...."

I have some great half-memories of that place.

(02-09-2015 02:12 PM)3601 Wrote:  

old picture. That awning got hit by a beer truck and knocked down years ago.

I think I'll miss it most on warm spring evenings when we used to eat crawfish.

(02-08-2015 09:42 AM)TigerBill Wrote:  I have some great half-memories of that place.

I have a picture of a live donkey in the bar among others.

was sad to hear it closed, but was glad to be able to be there that last night. ah, the memories.

(02-06-2015 05:31 PM)tiger2000 Wrote:  I doubt they'll use the Newby's name.

I think they might.