I got this e-mail today from My Texas Music. I've played at the Old Quarter quite a bit. This just disgusts me. Dear MTM Members, Many of you know Wrecks Bell (also an MTM member) who owns the Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe in Galveston. His venue is one of the few places in Galveston County that showcase original Texas artists, and his place has been the stepping stone for many of us. If you haven't heard, Wrecks has just been sued by corporate conglomerate Starbucks (yes, the coffee people) because he concocted a home brew of beer (think Lone Star and Shiner Bock) and named it "StarBock Beer". (You can read all about it at; www.oldquarteracousticcafe.com) He does not distribute the beer, he only has it specially brewed for sale at his only venue in Galveston. Seems Starbucks thinks that people will have a hard time differentiating between a cold draft beer and a hot mug of coffee, so they are suing him over the name. (Yeah, I know - but it just gets better....) ANYhow, it's obvious that their intention is to put him out of business, because they will be able to keep him tied up in this frivolous case for ever, and cost him every dime he owns. MTM Members, L'Amant, are scheduled to appear at the Old Quarter on Friday, March 26th, and they are inviting other MTM members to join them in performing that evening, with 100% of the door proceeds going to help Wreck's Legal Defense Fund. If you are free that evening and can lend your talent to this cause, please contact Jon at: lamant01@yahoo.com - he wants to get some advertising behind this in order to draw the biggest crowd possible. It's obvious what could happen if Wrecks can't defend himself - and we don't even want to think that this wonderful establishment that has helped so many could possibly close it's doors over this. All of this is of course, our opinion, but one we wanted to let you know about. SO - please contact Jon of L'Amant if you can lend your talents that evening. If you can't make it that night but want to help, please make a check for any amount out to: STARBOCK BEER (Put Legal Defense Fund in the memo) 413 20th Street Galveston, TX 77550 Thanks - and don't worry, Wrecks - we got yer back! Thanks so much! MyTexasMusic.com
I heard about this last year. I basically think both sides have a point. By the way, Starbucks wants him to change the name of the beer. Hell, I believe just calling it "BockStar" beer would appease them. And if you don't think the beer guy didn't see the resemblance to Starbuck's when he named the beer, you're being a little naive.
Wrecks is a good guy, and I always have a blast there. In fact, the night I met my wife, we walked from the square on the Strand to the Old Quarter. When she fell down in the street without spilling a drop of her beer, I knew she was the one. Anyway, I digress. If you've ever been to the Old Quarter, you'd know that its the complete antithesis of everything Starbucks. I think this really is a pretty frivilous lawsuit. I'd love to see the new Starbucks in Galveston picketed, but it won't do any good. They've positioned themselves quite nicely by the new cruise ship terminal.
