Blues Barbecue: Grazing at Palomino

About a year ago, there was a rumor that the Palomino was closing. Jerry Lee Lewis, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson and countless others, before and after they reached stardom, have graced the stage of this legendary landmark nightclub. But it was original owner Sherry Thomas, after an eight-year leave to raise her family, who saved the club, which was drowning in debt and lacked identity. Thomas said: “We get tired and down sometimes; running this place is hard work. But then we see music that is so incredible up on my stage, and it makes it all worth it.”

The Palomino, after returning to its original format of blues, country and rockabilly, recently added Astrid Young’s blues barbecue on Sundays. Yes, she’s Neil Young’s sister, but what people may not know is that she has a voice of her own.

THE SCENE: Tables and umbrellas filled the back-yard patio area, where home-cooked grub such as chicken, chili, rice and beans were served up. Inside, the saloon-like club featured framed pictures of some of its famous friends and players and a couple of pool tables, in constant use at the back. The club’s best asset is its full-size stage, good sound and large dance floor, perfect for a little two-steppin’ or swing dancing.

THE CROWD: Cowboy boots and hats lined the bar. Others wore jeans and casual wear or vintage cool clothes. At this afternoon show, patrons ranged from families with kids to 20-year-olds to fiftysomethings.

THE MUSIC: Astrid Young roamed the club in a red velvet mini-dress and combat boots. With long blond bangs hanging over a pair of shades and lit cigar at the ready, she exuded sexy toughness and sang with the same grit. Young’s band played some classic rock and blues jams as she shared the mike with other hearty vocalists. Young said of her new Sunday jam, “We wanted to make it a fun place to go and make the Palomino as prestigious and high-profile as it used to be.”

THE GOOD: Thomas’ whole family works at the club, cooking, tending bar and booking the bands. The result is a comfortable, unpretentious atmosphere created by a group of dedicated people who have a passion for music.

THE BAD: It’s hard to entice a big crowd on the vague listing of blues jams and special guests and then charge $7.50 at the door. Either that or the word didn’t get out about this new afternoon event. The attendance was relatively sparse.

THE WORD: In the words of Ellie Mae, of the band Ellie Mae’s Biscuit, which frequently plays the Palomino, “I like a man with a big . . . truck! The grass is greener at the Palomino; good grazin’!”

Palomino Club, 6907 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. every night except Sunday. Cover varies. Sunday barbecue blues jams, 4 to 9 p.m. $7.50. Information: (818) 764-4010.