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Pioneer Inn eventually warmed to musicians

The Rocky

Published January 24, 2008 at 3:55 p.m.

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A cowboy painting by the late Dan Fogelberg hangs behind Pioneer Inn owner Bunny Spangler.

Photo by Laressa Bachelor / The Rocky

A cowboy painting by the late Dan Fogelberg hangs behind Pioneer Inn owner Bunny Spangler.

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The sign outside the Pioneer Inn made John Carsello hesitate: "No longhairs or unkempt beards allowed."

The grocery store next door had a similar sign: "No more than two hippies at a time" allowed inside.

But the disapproving looks the Caribou Ranch manager got when he stepped inside the Pioneer Inn convinced him he was at the wrong place.

"We thought, 'We're really gonna love this place,' " he said in a recent interview about that first visit.

"(The locals) hated longhairs," said Bunny Spangler, who bought the Pioneer in 1972 and has run it since. With Nederland's population at fewer than 500 people, "they didn't want any changes. The people in the town at the time were the old miners and the cowboys."

The Pioneer Inn, formerly Harry's Place, is a classic rough-hewn-wood Colorado bar. There's Pabst Blue Ribbon on tap, regulars who run a tab with a promise to pay later and great cheeseburgers. Turn-of-the- century antiques and architecture fill the place. One former bartender "got tired of people asking where the restroom was" so he tattooed "RESTROOM" on one arm and used it to point the way, she said.

"We've always had a cast of characters here," said Spangler, who took down the "longhairs" sign and brought a bit more progressive attitude to the place when she took over. Another sure sign of change: It became the home away from home for the superstars who recorded at Caribou Studios.

Recording at Caribou "was a minimum of distractions, except for the Pioneer Inn," recalled guitarist Joe Walsh.

"This was the one place they could go in town," Spangler said.

"When the bands wanted to go out for a beer, I brought them here," Carsello said. "They ended up jamming with the local musicians."

"The Pioneer Inn was the club. Incredible jams. It was a nonstop happening, especially on a Friday night," said bassist Kenny Passarelli.

If these walls could talk, they'd hardly know where to start.

"Tommy Bolin played here," Carsello said. "Tom Scott and some of the guys with the L.A. Express. Of course, Dan Fogelberg, Stephen Stills, Chicago. Three Dog Night. Joe Walsh. Supertramp. They would just jam with the local band that was playing. Dennis Wilson would sit in on drums. Fogelberg did actual shows, as did Stills. The Chicago guys would come in and jam, especially (the late guitarist) Terry Kath."

They'd just move the tables out of the back room and bring in guitars and amps through the back door.

"Joe Walsh actually worked behind the bar here for about 45 minutes before someone recognized him," said Addison Waite, the night manager. "He said, 'OK, I'm out of here' and went out the back door."

The Inn long sported a cowboy painting by Fogelberg, which Spangler now keeps at home. "I got nervous when people started asking me how much I'd sell it for."

"He was a good friend of Bunny's," Carsello said. "She took care of his dog" when he was on the road.

The musicians came because it was no big deal, just the local bar. No one bothered them.

"That was a crucial point. Everyone was absolutely respectful," Spangler said. "Those people came in, they enjoyed how much time they wanted to spend here and nobody bugged them."

Perhaps for that reason, no known tapes or photos of the performances exist. "We were so busy (with recording) at the studio we didn't think of it that way. This was a place for them to cut loose," Carsello said.

"It was sort of like family. You just didn't," Spangler said. "This was their private, private life. We were so honored that they came and played and had a great time."

Despite the closure of the recording studio, the bar's still a hangout. Wednesday nights see The Big Pick, a jam with various bluegrass musicians, and live music happens on Friday night, too. The Pioneer Inn even has a MySpace page, located at myspace.com/thepioneerinn.

"Robert Plant comes in now," Spangler said. "He loves to come up here and sit at the bar. Nobody says anything to him."

Comments

  • January 28, 2008

    6:13 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ayeotis writes:

    While I really enjoyed the great articles about the Pioneer Inn and Caribou Ranch which appeared last week, I have received numerous calls from 'old Pioneer' friends who question why Bunny Spangler, my former wife, takes all the credit for the inception and growth of the wonderful institution the Pioneer became and remains! While it is not a big concern in the scheme of things,it was me, Art Yeotis, who bought, promoted and nurtured the Pioneer Inn from my purchase in 1971 until I sold to her, through divorce, in 1990. While I do not deny that she was a valued wife/pertner, she did little to cultivate the majority of the valued patrons from Caribou Ranch! I want my Pioneer friends and family to know I am alive and doing very well in Michigan!

  • January 29, 2008

    7:48 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    RudyToot writes:

    As part of the Nederland, Colorado music scene in the late 70's, I would certainly like to say hello and thank-you to Art Yeotis for allowing, and indeed encouraging, so many great musicians to gather and play at the Pioneer Inn.
    Many of the jams involving guest artists from Caribou Ranch and musician neighbors who lived in the surrounding area, were absolutely high water marks for many of our lives, and Art was our host.
    The Rudy Toot Band was fortunate to prosper and grow calling the Pioneer Inn their musical home.
    Thank you Art..glad you're well.
    Thommy S., Rudy Toot Band drummer '76-'80

  • February 3, 2008

    7:34 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    luckyanderson writes:

    Hello
    I was walking by the Pioneer Inn in 1971 when I unrolled my sleeping bag in the street, undressed, hopped into my bag for three seconds, hopped out, dressed, rolled up my bag, and departed town, Charlie Chaplin style. The bartender with the tattoo on his arm later told me everyone laughed, thought it was funny. Those were fun times and I thank Art and Bunny for their hospitality. Miners, cowboys, hippies, musicians, poets, town people, crazies off the road, it was all interesting. I wrote a novella but it never got published. Here is a book that captures the insights of those wild days in Nederland: Original Self, by Thomas Moore.
    Yours truly, Lucky, John Cutler Anderson

  • February 6, 2008

    2:46 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    nacisroc writes:

    I was part of the glory days and would like to hear more. I was
    a manager of the PI My best to all.A story should be told about
    the closing and trial by the town. George Drew

  • February 6, 2008

    5:31 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    nancye writes:

    I, too, was part of the "Glory Days"! What a crazy time. I loved being a bartender at The Pioneer. Hi Art, Bunny, George, and Carl. Where is crazy Carl? And yes, I certainly remember being a witness at the town trial. Where is Skip? And where Is John? I loved living at Caribou Ranch! Nancy Ensign Dallas, TX

  • July 2, 2008

    9:49 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    BAlphabet writes:

    Don't know what made me Google Caribou tonight, but what a slice to find this story about the ranch and the Pioneer. I too was an alumni (76-77) and I recognize the stories, the characters and the fact we were all part of a unique time and space. Lived with several of the 'Toots' , 'Bubba Rand', worked as a cook at the YCC camp at Caribou and met some amazing people. Perhaps it was the sad news of Dan Fogelberg's passing that stirred the memories, he was a songwriting hero to me, and to have the chance to meet and sit around the house after the PI closed and sing and play was unforgettable. Playing darts with Dan, Joe and Glenn Frey after the big Mile High concert was a hoot. The bar was a mecca for everyone, and all felt at ease there. When I could just walk in on weekend nights without the cover (locals were always free...thanks Art and Bunny) I felt part of a strange, talented brotherhood. Yes a book is called for...and I'm looking for a new project. I remember Nancy and Carl behind the bar, Tommy from the Toots...I cooked with your wife at the Ranch. Reach out and say hey if you've got stories to share...the Void rides again!

  • July 11, 2008

    1:37 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Niwotdave writes:

    Hello Bunny, Some of my best memories of living on Ridge Road outside of Nederland came from time at your establishment. I was there one night when Joe Walsh tended bar and it was cool to see him there. Also I'm proud to say that I played basketball with Bones & Big Steve when the trophy on display was won in 1984 if I remember correctly. Sad to hear about Steve's passing. Also helped Jim Kelly work on the pipes under the building working a summer job while in college. Happy to hear you are still there and the Pioneer Inn flourishes. Dave Fowler

  • August 10, 2008

    1:21 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    bethom writes:

    hey BAlphabet...
    I've just recently found and spoken with Mickey (boom-boom), Rudy, Russell, and sound engineer Dave L (can't find JD).
    We're all over the country!
    I was able to put together a couple of Toot's cds, sent them to the guys, and there's talk of flying in to the PI to raise a glass, share some memories, and maybe make some noise with a few old friends.
    If it's appropriate, please drop me an e-mail address. There are indeed many stories to tell....
    peace, Tommy S. (bethom@hotmail.com)