Joe Gilchrist re-opens New Malibu Lounge under new format

Joe Gilchrist re-opens New Malibu Lounge under new format
Club (& ‘Bama) will host May 24-27 Mickey Newbury gathering
By Fran Thompson
Joe Gilchrist, founder of the Frank Brown International Songwriters Fest and co-owner of the Flora-Bama, has re-opened The New Malibu Lounge, which he bought and renovated in 2016 and opened on Jan. 19, 2017 in the Warrington neighborhood (1000 Gulf Beach Hwy. – 850-456-0999) close to wear he grew up.
Gilchrist wasn’t expecting to match numbers with the famed Lounge on the Line he helped build into a national treasure out on Perdido Key, but he did hope to attract a niche crowd that enjoyed good, simple food and mostly original music played by a group of “characters’’ who were also among his best friends.
“I just didn’t expect it to be so hard,’’ Gilchrist said. “We were never able to get enough people from the neighborhood to come in and I guess it was just to far for people from Perdido to drive to get here.’’
Shuttered since last fall, Gilchrist re-opened the Malibu to host a CD release party for songwriting pal Sonny Throckmorton the last weekend of April. Other longtime songwriting friends such as Bo Roberts, Ken Lambert and Rock Killough have also supported the re-opening. The club is open Thur-Sun with music each night ‘til 10 p.m., save Sunday and a very limited kitchen.
This weekend, May 24-27, Gilchrist will again host The Mickey Newbury Gathering, with nightly shows at the Malibu and a Saturday afternoon Legends Show from the Flora-Bama Lounge main stage.
Barbara and Felix Manion from Baird, Texas will again be participating by bringing their BBQ trailer to serve BBQ all weekend.
Newbury’s brother Jerry Newbury is coming back for the gathering and Mickey’s son, Chris, a Perdido resident, will play the closing show on Sunday afternoon.
Catherine Powers, the widow of legendary songwriter and FBISF regular Freddy Powers, will also be on hand to sign copies of her book, “The Spree of ‘83.’’
In addition, Terry Jennings will participate in the Gathering and sign copies of his book about his dad Waylon, “Waylon – Tales Of My Outlaw Dad.’’
Confirmed songwriters, in addition to Chris Newbury, include Jonmark Stone, Doug Gill, Lynn Langham, John Joiner, Nick Branch, Mac Walter, Karen & Don McNatt, Troy Martin, Larry and Gale Book and Rusty Budde.
Saturday’s Tribute To Legends special event at the Flora-Bama will be dedicated to the music of the FBISF songwriter family – most of them no longer alive. Expect to hear the songs of Wayne Carson, Hank Cochran, Mike Fincher, Larry Henley, Red Lane, Rusty McHugh, Jody Payne, Freddy Powers, Larry Jon Wilson and others.
“I think this is a good thing for our area to have players and fans from around the country that appreciate Mickey Newbury’s music come here,’’ Gilchrist said.
Past gatherings have been held in Oregon, where Newbury moved after leaving Nashville.
Gilchrist was a fan of Newbury for 25 years before, through mutual friend Bo Roberts, he was able to recruit the songwriter to the area for two shows at The Flora-Bama in the early 1990’s.
“He had a record deal fall apart before that and he left Nashville swearing he would never step foot east of the Mississippi again,’’ Gilchrist said. “We talked him into coming for four days. The first time he came, he stayed for a month. The second time he stayed for six months.’’
Whatever happens down the road, Gilchrist will this weekend be exactly where he wants to be – with others who love Mickey Newbury’s music.
“I honestly don’t know what’s going to happen,’’ Gilchrist said about re-opening the Malibu. “I know I don’t want to end up as a full band bar. Maybe people will want to rent it out for weddings, graduations and reunions.’’
Although he didn’t come out and say it, it’s probably not a coincidence that Gilchrist re-opened the Malibu less than a month before the Gathering.
“I do feel I have a responsibility to keep Mickey’s music alive as well as the other characters who have come through here over the years,’’ he said. “Hopefully, we will also have a ton of fun.’’
About Mickey Newbury:
Born in Houston, Mickey, after his military stint, lived in a ’54 Pontiac and traveled around playing gigs and working on shrimp boats ‘til signing his first publishing contract in 1964. In 1968, Mickey saw huge success; three number one songs and one number five – across four different charts; Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) on the Pop/Rock chart by the First Edition, Sweet Memories on Easy Listening by Andy Williams, Time is a Thief on the R&B chart by Solomon Burke, and Here Comes the Rain Baby on the Country chart by Eddy Arnold. This feat has not been repeated. Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in 1980, Newbury has had his songs covered by hundreds of artists. Over a 35 year period, Mickey recorded 25 albums, earning critical acclaim and legendary status among his fellow songwriters.
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Mickey Newbury Gathering Schedule

Thursday, May 24
4- 6 p.m.: Meet & Greet; New Malibu Lounge
6 p.m. – Open Mic; New Malibu Lounge
Friday, May 25
Noon – 4 p.m.: Guitar pull; Ashton Inn & Suites
6 p.m.: Music at New Malibu Lounge
Saturday, May 26
2-6 p.m.: Legends Show; Flora-Bama Main Stage
7 p.m.: Music at New Malibu Lounge
Sunday May 27
1 p.m.: Sunday Brunch; New Malibu Lounge
3 p.m.: Music at New Malibu Lounge