Personal Profile:

Ona's Music Room
The emphasis is on "Music"

Profile by Tom Bullock

Edited by: S.E. Means – Reno  Entertainment, Inc.

 

 

Ona's Music Room is neatly tucked into the 400 block of 20th St. South. Judging from the outside, a passerby might think it's a small place but it's proof of the axiom, "appearances can be deceiving." The inside is comfortably large, with table seating for perhaps 100 people and another dozen or so seats at the bar. The room is done in mostly black. Black walls, ceiling, chairs, and tablecloths, with red walls or mirrors on the upper half of some walls. A stage is on a long wall opposite the bar. Tables are arranged to face the stage, with a small dance floor in front of the stage. The eye is drawn to the stage That is Ona Watson's intent: focus on the music.


Ona Watson

 

Ona with American Idol winner Taylor Hicks and Idol contestants Bucky and Elliot

 

 

The Bar at Ona's Music Room
The bar at Ona's Music Room

 

Ona's Music Room was established in 1997. Watson established it because he felt Birmingham had a need for additional venues for musical artists. He wanted the place to be home for a variety of musical styles and for that reason, he chose the name "Music Room." It's a place for all kinds of good music. Music that evokes emotion and make people feel good.

Music has long been part of Watson's life. The son of a minister, he began singing in the church choir at age thirteen. He loved music and would spend hours listening to it and singing while other kids were playing basketball. He recalls that he and friends would often sing on street corners just for their own entertainment and pleasure.  His older brother would occasionally sneak Watson into clubs to allow him to listen to the groups.

In elementary school Watson played horn, under the direction of  Dr. Frank Adams. The band needed a trombone player so Watson became a trombonist to help fill the void.  Later in his school years, he concentrated not on instruments but on singing. He became the lead singer for the group "Alpaca" and recalls times singing with the group when payment was $5 a night and all the hamburgers you could eat. He spent time on the road with the group, making a route of Charleston, Boston, and New York. He wasn't performing for the money but for the sake of performing. He said he hadn't realized, in his youth, people were paid to sing--he just liked to sing.

In early years,  Watson primarily listened to the popular music of the time, and emulated the popular singers. As he grew older, he received guidance from a number of  experienced local artists and studied the works of legendary artists such as Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra and Al Jarreau.  Watson was encouraged and determined to spend more time listening to the “classic” singers of the forties and fifties.  These influences greatly contributed to shaping Watson’s ability to handle groove tunes along with contemporary ballads.

 

 

 

Watson had a desire to teach because he loves kids and wanted to contribute to shaping young lives. However, the demands of music with respect to practicing, performing and perfecting one's skills left time for little else. Watson says a successful musician has to have a drive, a fire in the belly about music, and must be willing to devote a great deal of time to it. He had that drive and knew as a teacher his available time for music would be restricted therefore he felt he had to choose one or the other. He  chose to pursue music.

In 1986, Watson was the youngest person ever inducted into the Alabama Jazz  Hall of Fame.  He performs in a variety of venues, from occasional private bookings to opening a show for a headliner. His biography lists co-performances with Phyllis Hyman, Nell Carter, Eddie Kendricks, Bobby Womack, and Grover Washington.

Watson's love of music inspired the design of Ona's Music Room. He is personally aware that some clubs have distractions: people dining and chatting, televisions playing and the noise of arcade games. The stage is usually relegated to a small corner of the room.  He intentionally eliminated those distractions at Ona's Music Room, where the focus is on music. That's why the stage is centered, why drinks are served but not food, and why there's only one television -- and that television is not on during performances.

Entering Ona’s Music Room has the genuine feel of pure night club: dimly lit, candles on the tables, mirrors on the walls, with attention drawn to the stage and the dance floor in front of it.

The clientele of Ona's usually prefers dressy attire…and sometimes casual, but not too casual.  Athletic attire and head bandanas are prohibited.  The dress code lends itself well to the ambiance of the room…a sense that you're in a nightclub. Watson wants people to view the room as a friendly place, a comfortable room where a variety of people can feel at home.

The walls of the room are filled with photos and accessories. You'll find photos of Watson, renown performers, supporters, local artists, TV personalities and dignitaries, framed musical artwork, newspaper and magazine articles, certificates and plaques of recognition.

The former Mayor of Birmingham, Richard Arrington, Jr., commended Watson for his contributions to the entertainment community in Birmingham.  He recognized Watson for being a champion of worthwhile causes, devoting his life’s work in pursuit of entertaining, inspiring and motivating others and for choosing Birmingham to practice his genius.

Ona’s Music Room has been named the “best Jazz Club” in Birmingham by Birmingham Magazine, one of the top “10 Jazzy Places” in the country by USA Today and commended by the State of Alabama for its positive impact on the community.

The establishment of Ona's Music Room marks the attainment of a goal.  Given Watson's accomplishments to date, his new goals might include a hit record or possibly even a Grammy.

Ona's Music Room is a great place to enjoy music, where the emphasis is on music.

 

 

Ona's Music Room:

Location:

423 20th Street South
(across from the Ramada Suites Hotel)

Hours:

Wed thru Fri  5 p.m. until 2: 00 a.m.              Sat. 8:00 p.m. until 2:00a.m.
Performances generally begin at 9:30 p.m.

Phone:

322-4662

 

Article and photos copyright Reno Entertainment, Inc.

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