I'm writing a song about this very issue for my forthcoming Trout's Tall Tales CD.  It's called They're Leavin' the Country.  I'll be releasing a sample of the song shortly here, and over at Bakersfield Sound Underground. 

I think the problem is bigger than the issue of people not being willing to let go of a stereotype of an out-dated reputation.  I think people are out of touch with their roots, and are taking for granted the rich cultural heritage that is our inheritance as Kern County residents. 

One day I hope to be good enough to perform at Trout's and when I do, it will be a proud moment to stand on the stage where so many Bakersfield sound pioneers have performed. 

In the meantime, folks, get your butts out there to Trout's and check out the place where you will witness the re-birth of the Bakersfield sound!

Great post Wendy! The only thing I've ever heard about Trouts is that if you ain't white, you ain't right and you get stared at all night and made to feel uncomfortable.

If this is just an old rumor that is still out and about then blogs like yours will help break that stereotype. Keep it up.

Hey maybe next time you're out you can take pictures and post them in your next blog? I'd love to see the changes you're talking about.

I hate to say it but it has nothing to do with the rep. people have a more  diverse ear. Back in the day everyone loved country and western as it was called in the day. There are more people here that  came from other areas, or were grown up  that just don't care for the muisc that's played there,.that's nothing against them.  It's less of appeal yes, even in Bakersfield.

Hey Twink there's plenty of mexican's in trouts as much as anyone else.  so it's coo

I like Twinkie's idea cause I've always heard much of the same. If anyone has noticed my video posts, and know the owners, let's get together. I don't mind doing a piece on something that has that much history and mystique. I'm assuming of course. I'm mexican and thus have never ventured there. ;)

joe, I LOVE country music and always have. In fact "I was county when country wasn't cool"

I used to hang out at Rockin' Rodeo when it was still there and line dance and then go to other smaller venues to two step my night away but I was always told to stay away from Trouts because of what I've already shared in my post above.

I have many hispanic friends that go to Trout's..My friend Carlos (Trout's customer for nearly 15 years) will vouch for that!  gbriano- you should go down to trout's and talk to Rockwell.  He's always there.  Or talk to Linda.  She can help as well.  I think the place will surprise you.

What does being Mexican have to do with going to trouts. Are you racist? You don't think Mexicans belong in Trouts? You maybe be under the impression that Mexicans aren't allowed in Oildale. But if you are understanding you are a retard cause there are Mexicans all over the place there, my friend lived on Wilson growing up she is a Mexican. and that was int he 80s.  So, I wouldn't worry about it if i were you. I guess i should say i haven't been to the east side cause I'm white. or the west side cause im white.

;)

Regardless, White, Hispanic, African American....All are welcome.  Trout's is not and has never been racists..In fact I think they are talking about maybe starting a Latino Night..They are always open to ideas on how to accommodate every person who walks through their doors..  Come down and see for yourself.

Some people think Oildale is a racists town.  Maybe in past but not so much anymore.  Yes grant you their are a few groups that reside in Oildale that will never change (shame on them) but the majority of people have learned that it's simply not cool to be racists.  As I drive down the streets of Oildale I see homes where hispanics live and then 2 house down I see an African American family.  There is never a time I go through Oildale and don't see hispanics and African Americans..This has been changing for some time now and I see more and more of these races living there every year.  So if your not going to Trout's because of this reason, remember yesterdays Oildale is history.  Todays Oildale is a growing population of ALL races..And, they are all accepted!

I hear it is slowly changing.  Hopefully it can make a huge shift as far as image and social construction goes.  I spent a good portion of my childhood there and I know that there can be a lot of the reinforcers of those stereotypes walking around.  But I don't know how quickly that is changing.

Well Chase it has changed and in my life time I remember the rep Oildale had. It was much like you might think back then.  But I knew a Hindu cashier at 7/11 there. ( delivered donuts in Oildale stores back in 95)  The guy was an ass. But he was there. I dated a black woman and she lived in Oildale (a very attractive Halle Berry look alike I might add, no she wasn't on drugs) I have known plenty of Hispanics  that have lived in Oildale and  went everywhere that whites have. There are a few blacks there too. There was a recent story about two years a go that a black woman was harassed there, so yes the bad element  hasn't completely erased but as people grow this too will go away. 

In fact I may end up moving  into a house that is in between  Olive Drive and Robertson Lane still I'm sure considered Oildale. Nice place  all hard wood floors fireplace and a pool  and for 150.00 I'd say that's not bad. Mostly older people there. So you can see  if I might consider a place there it's not bad. I wouldn't put up with discrimination around me! 

Although I've never really been to Trouts, that doesn't mean I don't know Mexicans that go there. I know of a few that have been friends of mine that have went there many times.

Oh Twinkie I must point out  I saw more fights at Rock N Rodeo then I've ever heard of  a fight at Trouts. I probably can say it was  because of the size too. But I think it had more to do with music culture rather then ethnic culture.  I think you put  Rock n Roll on one side and Country on the other you might have problems with some mocking the other and causing problems. I saw more girl fights than anything at Rock n Rodeo. I used to go back in hmm 2002 I think to 2003 almost every Wed. or Thurs.

FIRST OF ALL.... Annie, take a chill pill. ;) I'm just sharing what MY impression was of the place. Which is to show how word of mouth plays a big part in promotions of clubs.

Also, keep in mind I haven't been 21 and in the "club" scene for a while and maybe things have changed in Oildale. Maybe they haven't at all and the racism thing was always just a myth? I wouldn't know. I've never been there. Not just because I'm Mexican. Just because life has never taken me down that road.

SECONDLY... Joe, I don't know why I said Rock' N' Rodeo. I've never been there. I actually meant ROXANNES. And I saw a few fights there. It's inevitable. Bunch of drunks at a bar? Testosterone and hormones flying left and right? Bound to happen. Unfortunately now they're not just fist fights. They end up in gun battles.

And lastly I just want to admit that YES in fact I AM a retard. There's nothing wrong with that, though. Is there?

I was an 08er for years. Peoples concerns are valid.  But, yeah, it's changing....

I was going to write a book about Oildale at one time. It's rooted in the dust bowl, and the connection to Oklahoma is apparent on every block. It's a place where people who were born and raised in California speak with Oklahoma accents. Bakersfield Okies.... It has a lot of cool aspects-- city homes that reflect all the atributes of a Midwest homestead; In some ways, it's like driving through Appalachiia. I don't think the concerns of Twinkie and others should be put down. Hey, Trout's is in Oildale, and Oildale is what it is.

Bakersfield has a lot of different special ethnic areas. Some of them should be considered dangerous. I wouldn't worry about going to Trout's, or any place in Oildale, allthough I might be on my guard....... But I don't think I would want to get into it if I were Hispanic. There's other parts of Bakersfield that I'll drive through, but wouldn't stop and get out of my car....  Bakersfield is not homogenized. Everything is not beautiful. People's concerns are valid. Much work needs to be done before we all feel free to go wherever we want whenever we want to.....