TRIBUTES TO THE COUNTRY CLUB ( 1

[Sue]

In 1996 a friend of mine, Nigel, opened the Country Club - a shack at the top of a hill in the middle of nowhere. His dream was to create a club where everyone who loved dance music and the Free Party scene could congregate, indoors, to enjoy good music and good company.

When Clive took over the CClub, he fulfilled Nigels dream, and built the Club into a place where the atmosphere and music were unrivalled. The Country Club became renowned for it's easy going approach to 'Rave Culture'.

For those of us who don't fit into the stereotypical idea of a 'Raver', this was a haven of acceptance. No-one minded that I reached (and passed) forty. No-one minded that I didn't wear the latest clubbing gear and trendy trainers. No-one minded that I often danced for so long and so enthusiastically (in my own inimitable style!) that my hair/clothes/skin were soaked in sweat. In short, so long as I wore a smile, nothing else mattered!

I was at the opening night of the Country Club in 1996, I was at Clive's first night when he took over the Country Club, and I was at the The Country Club's closing night. That final night was just as it should have been. A huge amount of people, sad in the knowledge that this was the 'last night', but absolutely determined to show their appreciation to Clive and the others by having as good a time as is humanly possible! The music was outstanding. The atmosphere euphoric. And I (like many others) ended the night sweaty, exhausted, and almost unable to imagine how we will get by without Clives hospitality.

I wish Clive happiness and good health in whatever he does in the future, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for all the nights of fun he's given me. And if I never again find a place where I can be accepted along with anyone else who loves to dance, at least I have a million memories of The Country Club and it's happy party people.

Thank you, Clive. Thank you Country Club DJs. Thank you Country Clubbers.

Love

[DANCE DADDY]

The closure of COUNTRY CLUB has been the hardest decision I have ever made in my life. At 57 years old, C.C. gave me the excitement and total love that kept me feeling like a 16 year old. I knew nothing of "Rave" music until 1997. A free party in IRELAND was my introduction, it's where I was named"DANCE DADDY" because of my age by a 14 year old Irish girl. Until that moment I had been a "respectable" business man, who thought Michael Jackson was about as radical as it gets...

For me it wasn't just the music, it was the feeling of unity, the acceptance of creed, colour, lifestyle. No one cared if you were 4 or 40, rich or poor. Party was all that mattered. From that magical moment I knew I had to be involved with the scene. In those days I knew nothing of HARDHOUSE, TRANCE, TECHNO it was just exciting music to me. I became obsessed, trying to understand the music, the culture started to by Vinyl, tried mixing, anything to bring that feeling into my home.

I tried a few clubs in the UK only to feel silly, trying to dance in some dark corner, trying to get away from eyes that had me marked as "OLD BILL" or some freaky pervert that should be home in bed with a copy of PENTHOUSE.. This was not what I wanted or had come to expect.

The COUNTRY CLUB was up for sale, all normal Club owners shunned it as an impossible venue. Somehow the impossibility of it was a safety net, If I failed no one would blame me. Right from day one I tried to get rid of all the normal Rules and Regulations that clubs usually have, I made sure I spoke with as many people as possible, gleaning information about what they wanted, what they expected. I was not a rich man and sold everything to get the place up and running, even running about in an old Peugot that cost £125 to get the place sorted. What I got in return for all this self deprivation was a love and respect from every clubber, that no man could put a price on.

Four and a half years later, I am older, certainly very tired and emotionally and mentally drained. Doing battle with the Authorities to get a pass out system accepted, doing battle with the Dealers who saw it as a get rich quick method. (I have had a gun pulled on me, death threats, 3 Arson attempts, been attaked by nutters with knives and generally been subjected to the most aweful intimidation imagionable) But none of that matters when compared to the buzz, the pure adrenalin that you have given me weeek after week after week. To the Girls who love me like their Dad, to the guys that seek out my advice, to the LOVE you all give me, I AM THE LUCKIEST MAN ON THIS PLANET.. and right now probably the PROUDEST one too...So again thank you all so much for allowing me to be part of your lives.

[DASH2020]

No tribute can come close. I cannot thank Clive,Mark the residents nor this somewhat odd lookin buildin placed in the middle of nowhere what they gave me that night and the followin weeks and months to come.

When i first got there i'll quietly admit it looked as though id made a mistake by turnin up but if i'd of turned round and went id of missed the most amazin time of my life you all brought me music that has changed me forever and what really blew me away was the amazing things that happened inside

ive never had nights like it i dont think i ever will...



THE SPIRIT OF THE COUNTRY CLUB WILL NEVER DIE

I WILL TAKE THEM TIMES TO THE GRAVE WITH ME

**DASH**

[Carl]

I feel silly writing this now.I cannot believe I didnt find out there was a tribute page for the Country Club on Marks site, damn ..........


Walking through the fire doors and downstairs into the main room blew my head clean off everytime.Greated by 600 or so messy loved up ravers, smiling like they were in permanent orgasm............
The majority of people were spending more time with their feet in the air than on the floor to the most bangin sounds around, it was surreal :D .

The vibe was second to NONE.....

I made a lot of the close friends I have today in that UNBELIEVABELY special place, such as Iain Cross, Dave Spinout, Jon Baptist & co.
I owe Clive & Meri a great debt of gratitude .....

Over six months later and Im still lost in emotion ... I will never forget :cry:

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH .... :cry:

[wenna]

:D PEACE.LOVE.UNITY....

[Carl]

the Country Club closed down one year ago today! :cry:

[Dj Swannie]

''The Dream Dies but the Legend lives on ''

[Carl]

yeah man :)

[dj vorny]

:clap: :clap: :clap: :cry:

[Carl]