Location: 1850 W 6th Ave. Eugene
Vern Minkler (Manager/Co-Owner) and Warren Willson (Co-Owner) opened the Arena Ballroom in November 1951. A 12-piece house band lead by Billy Hamilton played popular dance music on Saturday nights. The ballroom featured an unknown Willie Nelson in an early professional appearance playing guitar with a local band. (Note: I have a confirmed story that Willie Nelson actually played at the Melody Ranch. I believe the newspaper story is incorrect, unless he played at both locations during his visit).
Building History
- Service Station
- Car Wash
- 1941-1949 – Eugene Ice Arena
- Oct. 1949-1951 – Arena Market
- Nov. 1951-1953 – Arena Ballroom
- Jan. 1954 Eugene Laundry and Dry Cleaners relocated to Arena Ballroom location
- ?2007 – Aramark Union Services
- 2008-present – Used car lot
Music History
1951
- Billy Hamilton – House band on Saturday nights
- Stan Kenton’s 20-piece dance band with June Christy on vocals (Nov)
- Henry Busse’s dance band (Dec)
- Duke Ellington
- Willie Nelson?
1952
- Duke Ellington (Jan) Not sure he played
- Spike Jones Revue (May 22)
- Bill Riley & his Orchestra
- Woody Herman
- Vera McAdams Orchestra (old time and square dance party)
- Mills Brothers (Feb 9)
- Jimmy Dorsey
- Joe Massey and the Frontiersmen – house band
- Darell Renfro (April)
1953