Just a few weeks after McGonigel’s Mucky Duck celebrated its 20th anniversary, another beloved local live music venue, the Continental Club, celebrates its 10th. We gave the Duck an opportunity to field 20 questions on 20 years, so this time Continental Club owner/operator Pete Gordon fielded 10 questions on his decade running the Main Street venue that has played host to local and legendary acts that specialize in oldies, soul, rockabilly, country and more.

Pete Gordon

1. Can you pick a single favorite show from the past 10 years at the club?
If I have to pick one Ian McLagan with Ron Wood. The other nine of the Top 10 would be Bobby “Blue” Bland, R.L. Burnside, Boozoo Chavis, the Flatlanders, Lee Fields with the Dap-Kings, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Bill Kirchen with the Paladins, Roky Erickson and all of the Allen Oldies Band New Years Eve shows.

2. Was there a most trying show?
Hasil Adkins by far. He was out of his mind, wanting more and more Strawberry Boone's Farm Wine. We had to keep going to convenience stores further and further away as we were buying all that was available. He needed the club freezing cold to go on stage so the A/C was cranked all the way down, about 15 minutes before he was supposed to start, he spray painted his name on the band room wall and disappeared. Meanwhile the crowd that was here was freezing, complaining about the paint fumes, and after an hour or so had passed with no word on when he might start, they wanted their money back. It was a mess. When he finally came on stage to half the crowd we started with, he played a very short set and left, leaving everyone — even hardcore Hasil fans — confused. What a character, he did not live to much longer. I’m sure glad we did it - makes a good story.

3. Strangest request from somebody who played the Continental?
John Mayer asked if he could come back. Little did I know at the time, it would be a long, long time before he fits into this room again.

4. Dead person you wish you could revive to play your venue?
Doug Sahm, he was the best and a good friend. When I was first heading to Houston to open up we talked about him coming down to play, and I was very much looking forward to hangin’ with him in my club, and seeing the shows he would bring. It unfortunately never got to happen, he died before we got open.

5. Act who hasn’t played the Continental that you’d most like to book?
I would love to bring in Loretta Lynn, then Jerry Lee (Lewis), then Little Richard, then Fats Domino, you get my point.

Outside the club

6. Who was your first booking?
We did a under the radar El Orbits show, then a Mojo Nixon show, but my first official booking was Dale Watson July 7th, 2000. James McMurtry played night #2.

7. Anybody ever go missing before a show?
Hasil Adkins for one, but he came back. We have had a few mysterious no shows. Deana Carter called in “sick” hours before she was supposed to start. Working in reverse thankfully we did not have to refund to many tickets because she had not sold any. Elvis was looking out for me — she had a big guarantee.

8. Best part of your job?
Seeing all my friends come through with various bands and playing live with the greats on my stage, like Wanda Jackson, Billy Lee Riley, Barbara Mason, Andre Williams, Barbara Lynn and of course Archie Bell and Roy Head.

9. Worst part of your job?
I love what I do, it’s not a job, but it bums me out when there is something incredible happening on the stage, and I feel there should be more people in the house to see it. You only get one chance to catch those awesome moments live, then it’s gone.

10. Duct tape vs. WD40?
Duct tape, the show must go on!

CONTINENTAL CLUB 10TH ANNIVERSARY
Performances by the Allen Oldies Band, the Suspects, the Umbrella Man, Honky, New Duncan Imperials, ChangoMan and Little Joe Washington
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Continental Club, 3700 Main
FREE