New Mural to Commemorate Wheeling’s Musical Past
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A colorful tribute to Wheeling's musical heritage will soon be front and center downtown, with the Bridge Tavern & Grill's new mural to be completed by the end of October.
The inspiration for the mural's theme stemmed from the restaurant's goal to "bring back live bluegrass and old-school country," explained Bridge Tavern & Grill owner Doug Carl
"We're on the same corner as the Capitol Theatre, which was once home to the WWVA and the Jamboree, so it just makes sense for us to promote music specifically of that genre," said Carl. "To emulate is on the side of our building is a great opportunity to pay homage to the rich country music past of Wheeling."
With this past spanning back to the "early 30s," said Carl, the Bridge Tavern & Grill has already added a neon guitar sign to the side of their building as the first step in paying homage. The next step is the mural being painted by local artist Drew Gonchoff.
The Moundsville artist explained he drew inspiration from legendary country performers, "from Loretta Lynn to Brad Paisley," when designing the mural. Gonchoff added that "so many legendary country stars" have performed in the city, inspiring many other future country artists.
Another important aspect of Wheeling's musical heritage Gonchoff will include in the mural is the Wheeling Jamboree, which the artist explains holds the distinction of being "the second oldest country station globally."
Being able to pay tribute to the city's country music history allows Gonchoff to put his personal influence into the mural. The West Liberty graduate explained he listens to the Wheeling Jamboree "pretty much every day" while traveling to work.
"The country-related theme hit home for me, and I'm familiar with the artists I'm depicting here," said Gonchoff. "Merle Haggard, Ronnie Milsap -- these are people's music that I grab every time I see it in a record shop."
When it comes to the country names that inspired the mural's art, Gonchoff said that he will portray their likeness on the wall but not any "specific depictions" to allow the art to remain open to interpretation.
"My art is inspired by musicians who have played in the city before that I connect with," said Gonchoff. "But I'm leaving it open enough so people can put their favorite musicians in there."
To create the representation of Wheeling's musical history, Gonchoff is using spray paint, which he has never used before in mural work. Because of the stucco surface of the wall, Gonchoff explained that acrylics and oil would not "go as easily" on the textured surface, so he had to utilize new painting methods.
Despite the difference in paint type, Gonchoff explained that he is keeping the art in the "same style" as the murals he's previously painted.
Being such a big fan of the genre, Gonchoff described being able to "jump right in" to both the designing and painting process. Before putting pen to paper, Gonchoff noted doing "a lot of research" by digging into Wheeling's music history before creating any initial sketches.
From sketches, he then created digital versions of the painting that could be "scaled up to the wall size" using a grid. After transferring the paper sketches to the digital format, Gonchoff began painting.
Carl, who described himself as "unable even to draw stick people," said that he is "in awe" of Gonchoff's talent, adding that the artist has been "working like a madman" on the wall.
"Every day, I see he's got more colors up on the wall," described Carl. "He's telling me, 'Oh, I'm gonna have this done by the end of October,'" and all I can think is 'holy smokes.'"
Beginning his time on the ladder on Sept. 23, Gonchoff has until the end of October to finish the mural. To achieve this while working full time, Gonchoff spends three hours a night during the week and 10 hours a day during the weekend on the project.
Explaining he often gets "lost in his work" during the weekend shifts, Gonchoff admitted he first had to adjust to working in the busy area of Main Street.
"It's been a challenge with so much traffic and people," said Gonchoff. "People have been coming up to me and yelling from their vehicle, asking questions, so I've had to learn how to overcome that."
The yelling has resulted in "mostly positive interactions," Gonchoff acknowledged, as he is often handed business cards through car windows to contact future customers.
Having so many eyes drawn to his work by the mural's location in a prominent area of downtown is a "big honor" for Gonchoff.
"It's going to be one of the first things coming from the West into Wheeling, so it's a big opportunity for me," said Gonchoff. "I am happy to be doing it, especially since I have a personal connection to the artists I'm representing in the painting."
While the exterior of the Bridge Tavern & Grill gets spruced up, renovations to the inside of the building began on May 30th of this year. Saying they are in the "homestretch" of updates, Carl explained the restaurant will open its doors again in the first part of October.