There’s a small blue and red building that sits back from a busy highway in Little River, that one regular customer describes as an “artistic mecca” for musicians.
The Star Tavern, no ordinary bar, has been in business since 2014. Everything about it, from the nightly, live music to the comradery of customers and musicians, embodies one man’s vision to create “that bohemian feeling that we had when I was in college when the musicians all got together and jammed and played,” said Star Tavern owner Ron Johnson.
Ron Johnson smiles for a picture outside Star Tavern with Little River.
Johnson, who had been playing in a band at another Little River bar, decided to open his own place to create what he remembered from his early days of music. Through the years, “We never tried to chase any trends. We basically just stayed with the music of our time and figured that people of the same age range would still like what we like.”
While other venues along the Grand Strand cater to tourists, Star Tavern appeals to locals and visitors who want a more authentic sound, which Johnson describes as “musicians playing what they love and people responding to it.”
That music includes a lot of classic rock from some of the area’s best bands, including Johnson’s own, The Nasty Chaps, which plays every Wednesday night. He knows he hit on a winning formula because “people request the same songs year after year.” He believes that “the music people grew up with is always going to be important to them. It’s like a time machine. It just takes you back to high school. Everybody relates to that.” When he can, Johnson “sneaks in a little country. I love writing by Merle Haggard, Kris Kristopherson, Willie.”
Star Tavern “defies all the rules of running a small bar,” said Will Jackson, who began performing there when he was 19. Introduced to Johnson through his musician father, Jackson spent several years in Nashville before returning to the Little River area and Star Tavern.
“It’s pretty amazing for a place that only holds 88 people.” Besides the outstanding music, the people are friendly. “Somebody’s going to talk to you before you sit down,” he said.
Jackson says that from the beginning, “no one made me feel like a kid. I was one of the guys.” Johnson was in some ways a mentor to him. “Musically, he was a great example.” Johnson always wanted to help musicians improve their craft. “He corrected me in a friendly and genuinely helpful way,” said Jackson. “It’s all about sharing his knowledge.”
Johnson started learning to play guitar at age 8, but it wasn’t until a few years later when his dad took him to a Jerry Lee Lewis concert that he became passionate about music. “It was just like magic.” Until age 39, he stuck to playing guitar. Then, he began singing “out of necessity more than anything,” he said. “Music isn’t about competing. It is communication and a chance to reach people on an emotional and spiritual level. Music is cathartic to the soul.”
Although performing music has been an important focus of his life, Johnson spent many years managing a tractor dealership and worked at and owned recording studios in Whiteville and Wilmington, both in North Carolina.
He also added “songwriter” to his resume, and he has recorded albums at Sun Studios in Memphis and at Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Although he’s working on a third album, he’s not sure if he will complete it. “In today’s Facebook and YouTube world, it’s kind of a moot point to put out a CD,” he said.
He continues to write and record songs, however, and is collaborating with Lynn Grissett, a Star Tavern regular who played trumpet and horns for Prince. “He’s one of the most talented musicians I’ve ever met and one of the most gracious humans I’ve ever met,” said Johnson. The two have posted their content online, and Johnson is helping Grissett as he develops a new jazz album. “I’m learning so much,” said Johnson. ”It’s a really cool synergy. He has helped me with a renewed love of music.”
Like many of the musicians who frequent Star Tavern, Grissett first came in as someone’s guest. In his case it was LeRoy Harper, who played with James Brown for many years. And like many of the other musicians, Grissett “started playing with most of our bands,” said Johnson. “He fell in love with the Star — the atmosphere, the comradery. We’re all trying to better the music scene, because we love it.”
Johnson is equally proud to work with “up-and-coming kids, younger guys who are just incredibly talented” and with the many world-famous musicians who drop in frequently. “It’s a lot of fun and definitely has been a labor of love.”