KAROO SALOON is an oasis just outside Barrydale where music is celebrated weekly, thanks to owners Marius Slabber and Janet Brewer.
Their passion for music is the main reason why the Karoo Saloon is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and if what has happened there over the past year serves as an indication of what the future holds, there are definitely exciting times ahead.
Between October 2020 and at the time of this publication, some 64 artists have had the opportunity to perform at Karoo Saloon; all musicians who had been without an income for several months due to lockdown regulations.
This year several of the artists who had performed at this very popular music venue on Route 62, made an effort to thank Marius and Janet, by filming a video as a tribute to these custodians of SA Music. When Marius watched this tribute video which featured the likes of Michael Canfield and Nicole, Savannah Collins, Johnathan Martin, Rudi and Arthur Dennis and even young gun Jeandre Swanepoel – he wept.
Apparently this was only the second time in the Karoo legend’s life that he cried. The other time was when Bryce Lawrence blew the Springboks out of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
“Marius’ role in the lives of these musicians has been monumental,” said Jonathan Martin, well-known guitarist of the late Piet Botha’s group, Jack Hammer. Martin was specially flown in from Pretoria for the inauguration of Karoo Saloon’s Piet Botha Stage. It was his first major performance in more than six months.
“The music industry has almost collapsed, but Marius and Janet’s Karoo Saloon is one of very few bright lights that still shines in the dark.
“Thank you very much Marius, you have made a big difference in our lives and your advice and counsel is worth gold.”
In its 10th year since it first became such a popular destination for rockers, bikers and anyone with an ear for good music,
Marius took matters to the next level by hosting no less than four big festivals between October 2020 and now: a Blues festival, Heavy Metal festival, Under Karoovian Skies festival, Karoo-stock and the inauguration of the Piet Botha stage.
These all made Barrydale one of the best places in the Karoo, if not the country, a music lover could wish to stay. (By Mickey Mentz of News62)
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