By Staff
Melissa Cason, Franklin County Times
Franklin County residents looking for a little rock and roll with a side of steak can make their way to Jonathan's Steakhouse in Russellville on Friday nights. However, early arrival may be necessary to get a seat, thanks to the Kerry Gilbert Band.
The Kerry Gilbert Band has been packing a crowd at the steakhouse for almost three years, and there is no sign that the crowds will be letting up anytime soon.
"I wouldn't have thought it would have lasted this long, but it has," the restaurant's co-owner Steve Sandusky said.
The band is made up of five members: Kerry Gilbert, Wayne Walker, Mitch Curtis, Jim Seals, and Randy Kimbrough. The band has been together for 20 years, Sandusky said.
He believes that the success with the band is due to the family-friendly atmosphere at the steakhouse. Most bands play in nightclubs or other adult venues, where children are not allowed. However, at Jonathan's, children are welcome to come, and enjoy the music with their parents.
"Sometimes you'll see little kids out here dancing," Sandusky said. "That's why it's so successful."
The business is thinking of adding onto the building to make more room for the band, and to accommodate more people.
"They [the band] said that they would pack it if we built it," Sandusky said.
The band also plays at the restaurant in Muscle Shoals on Thursday nights.
"They are loyal to us, and we are loyal to them," he said.
He added that the band fits in with their goal of honoring their late son, Jonathan, who died in a car accident at the age of 16. His son loved to eat at the Golden Corral when he was a child, so he and his wife, Betty decided on operate a restaurant in the same building their son enjoyed as a child.
"We are keeping his memory alive," his mother Betty Sandusky said. Tbe band can be seen at 7 p.m. every Friday night at Jonathan's Steakhouse.