The Four Muses Reunion "HOOT " 2024 by Jeffrey and Jonathan Jenkins @Performance Production Services

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This article was written by THE LOS ANGELES TIMES entertainment critic Robert Hilburn, released on Sat July 17, 1971.
A Center for Folk-Rock by the Sea
SAN CLEMENTE- Jim and Mary Jenkins and The Four Muses Club is just a few yards off the San Diego Freeway’s Ave. Palizada turn –off here, a location that makes it the closest contemporary music club to President Nixon’s summer White House.

But despite a standing offer by the Byrds rock group (whose “Eight Miles High” was the subject of an anti-drug address by the Spiro Agnew a while back) to play the club free if the Jenkins could get the Vice President to stop by, neither the President nor any other high ranking administration official has been to the Four Muses yet. Still there was a full house on hand last Saturday night to hear John Stewart, who ranks alongside Gordon Lightfoot, Kris Kristofferson, James Taylor and a few others as part of an excellent group of contemporary singer-song-writers. His “California Bloodlines” and “Willard” albums are among the best in recent years.

The Four Muses is a combination folk-music club, record shop, music lesson center and local hangout. It was opened in the mid-1960’s as a simple, one-room head-quarters for Mary Jenkins’ guitar lessons, but was gradually expanded, by adding adjoining rooms in the three-story building it shares with other businesses, to its present level of activity.

Guitar Lessons First
The Jenkins moved to San Clemente about 10 years ago. He was making a handsome salary in the aerospace industry and she was singing from time to time in folk music spots in the Orange County area. Neither had plans for anything like The Four Muses.

As a favor to friends, Mary began giving guitar lessons to some children in the area. When it got too hectic for her house, she rented one room in the three-story building. Everything else was an outgrowth of that move. More and more people wanted guitar lessons and some of them wanted to rent or buy instruments so, almost as a service to them, the Jenkins got into merchandising. The first step into concerts was to hold informal Friday and Saturday night events to let students and friends get together to perform.

Eventually, the couple began booking name acts and presenting them on a Thursday thru Sunday basis. Their list of attractions has included Tim Hardin, the Dillards, Kate Taylor, Hedge & Donna, Hoyt Axton, John Hammond, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. With the help of Mike Brinkman (who manages the record stores and whose knowledge of contemporary music is helpful in booking acts for the club), the Jenkins have created a warm, relaxed atmosphere in the club.

Help for Beginners
There are no waitresses who wander through the club while performers are on stage. Instead, refreshments (such as soft drinks, cider, a few sandwiches, some pastries, etc.) are available from a snack bar in the rear of the club. Other features include a large warm-up and rest area (1,000 square feet) for performers, particularly beginning or unknown ones, who want to cut down on expenses.

“We spent so long in a business environment when money was almost the sole basis for judgment that we wanted something different.” Jenkins said. “We try to stress quality in our shows. It’s a good place for people to play. We always have good audiences. Even when they are small, they are warm.”

Though The Four Muses had some financial problems recently with heavy advertising expenses and other problems, things seem to be looking good. The Persuasions, a fine a cappella rhythm and blues group, is at the Four Muses tonight and Sunday, while the Dillards are due next Thursday through Sunday.

John Stewart, who is at the Ice House in Pasadena tonight and Sunday, sang several of the new songs at the club that will be in his upcoming “The Lonesome Picker Sings Again” album, songs which showed he is still producing some fine, sensitive, emotional material.

Despite almost unanimous rave reviews, his first two albums did not sell well, but he has recently moved to Warner Bros/Reprise records and may, thus, follow in the footsteps there of James Taylor and Gordon Lightfoot, both of whom had $1 million albums after leaving other labels for Warners/Reprise.

Thank You Robert Hilburn!