A ‘lonely’ celebration to mark the release of the Rochester singer’s new video – Post Bulletin

Loneliness is not usually celebrated, but songwriter and musician Becky Schlegel is preparing for just that.

She joined her mother’s country band at age 14. Since then, she has written many beautiful country-influenced songs. Her song “Lonesome” is one that harks back to her small-town musical roots, and she is preparing to release a music video for it, featuring one of the area’s most iconic small-town bars: the Douglas Saloon & Social Club.

Schlegel wrote the song “Lonesome” years ago during a concert in Ohio.

“Even back then, it had a very special place in my heart because it was about how I made music in the bar scene of a small town in the late 80s and early 90s and the influence that had on the rest of my life,” says Schlegel. She fondly remembers how she “sang into a thick cloud of smoke from the bar and looked into the faces of the people who were listening…”

Schlegel recorded “Lonesome” at Reverb & Echo Studio in Hugo, Minnesota. “It was a dreamy September day,” says Schlegel. “I went into the studio that day with an open mind about what the song could become.”

The musicians who recorded Schlegel’s song “Lonesome” included Clay Hess (guitar, bass, mandolin and vocals), John Niemann (fiddle) and Larry Beem (steel guitar). She describes them as her dream line-up.

Schlegel’s husband, Rochester-native banjoist Heath Loy, introduced her to the Douglas Saloon & Social Club. Schlegel lives just down a dirt road from this memorable small-town bar.

The Douglas Saloon is the kind of establishment where pickled eggs are kept behind the bar using a special recipe, every corner is covered in interesting signs and stuffed animals, and the pool table and pull tabs are always ready for new action. This ambience has led to a long history for the saloon, and in 2024 it will celebrate its 45th anniversary.

Schlegel knew the Douglas Saloon would be the perfect location for the music video for her song “Lonesome” because it reflected her childhood memories of performing at small-town bars with a similar atmosphere. In October, Schlegel had 14-year-old Addy Deurloo and a cast that included Krista Deurloo, Schlegel’s husband Heath, and her sister-in-law Edie come to the Douglas Saloon to shoot the music video for “Lonesome.”

The video was created by producer Dan Deurloo with assistance from Carter Brice. “They both have a talent and ability to come up with storylines and worked effortlessly together,” says Schlegel. She was thrilled to play on the legendary Douglas Saloon stage and says she’s waited 10 years for this opportunity. For the video, she had her husband and sister-in-law, people she calls her “strongest supporters,” act as her backing band on the saloon stage.

The entire video shoot took a day in the saloon. “I wanted the video to be as authentic as possible. I politely asked if I could smoke real cigarettes in it and I was so happy that they were willing to do that. They even threw in a cigar or two. Many of our friends and family members were there as extras during the shoot. It was an incredible morning, a once in a lifetime experience,” says Schlegel.

Now Schlegel is ready to release the video during a party on Thursday, June 20 at the Douglas Saloon. The event begins at 7 p.m. and, in addition to a screening of the video, will include performances by Honky Tonk Happy Hour, A Grand Ol’ Opry Show and The Rockin’ Hep Cats.

The Honky Tonk Happy Hour is a music project that Schlegel sings in that started earlier this year at Brothers Bar & Grill and features classic country music and some bluegrass. A Grand Ol’ Opry show started at the annual Banjo Bash that Schlegel and her husband host each summer. The performers “dress up” while playing music by the likes of Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn. The Rockin’ Hep Cats play lively rockabilly music.

Schlegel says her dream of making a music video was made possible by the entire crew at the Douglas Saloon and her good friend Dale Gruber, who “made the impossible possible.” Schlegel says, “I’m so excited to bring it (the video for ‘Lonesome’) to the world.”

What: Video release party for “Lonesome” by Becky Schlegel featuring performances by Honky Tonk Happy Hour, A Grand Ol’ Opry Show and The Rockin’ Hep Cats.

When: Thursday, June 20, 7:00 p.m.

Where: The Douglas Saloon & Social Club, 6460 75th St. NW, Oronoco.