If you have original music and would like to play here, please use the phone and give Erin a call as she is allergic to computers. Winter Ave was built in 1940 as a residence until sometime in the 1980’s when it became a rental property. In December of 2005, after living in my van for 6 months between moves from Chicago to Greenville, Teresa Long from Bond County Real Estate showed it to me; small
, 650 square feet, dated, musty, a patio door with a broken seal and frosted glass. It was located on the western ridge of town with no neighbors behind me, just acres of wooded land and dark skies for midnight viewing. And I could afford it at only $300 a month. I was excited to unpack and buy a welcome mat never realizing this would be the place I would call home for the longest stretch in my life; 19 years in December, ’24. I purchased this property in 2016 and began renovations designed to make the space open to the west for sun and moon sets and able to accommodate a reasonable group for jam space and house concerts. The deck which runs the full length of west wall serves as comfortable and scenic space. Dale Hanabarger shared a vision of a house concert venue and with his knowledge and ability in all the trades along with a commitment to sustainability and reclaiming/repurposing/recycling, we were able to turn this 40 year rental home into a bright, welcoming, whimsical space for art, artists and creativity. During my early days in Greenville, introductions would invariably include being a musician, meeting musicians, and the name Swamp came up more often than not. When I did finally make the acquaintance of the local legend and told him where I lived, turned out, he and his wife Cinda had also lived at 613 W. More memorable than the fact they called it “the snake house” while living here, was the story of an adolescent Alison Krauss staying overnight during a recording project along with Swamp and Greenville area fiddle master, Jim Hoiles. The Music Box Listening Room has been long in the making. I ran an open mic while living in Chicago; hosted several since living in Bond County; produced the Songwriters Showcase Live Concert Series at The Globe Theatre for 4 years and have had radio programs on WGEL and WGRN promoting local and independent musicians. Live concerts are scheduled monthly and there are plans for poetry readings, comedy, and open mic nights to be scheduled soon. Chess boards are set up and other games are available for possible game nights also. Hospitality happens here as Art is the guest, acoustic and otherwise…come see/hear for yourself here, at, The Music Box Listening Room.
