The Rock Angel Cafe

Heres a story we found from a Murray State News section that focused on students attending Murray State and what they did outside of school. Obviously the club has closed since the article but for now its all we got.

Leisure time is often a rare commodity for college students. Between classes, jobs, studying and other obligations, finding time for a personal interest can be difficult. Finding such time can prove especially formidable if one's primary interest is owning and operating a rock 'n' roll club.

It's all in a day's work for Murray State student Ryan Whittaker, owner and operator of The Rock Angel Cafe, located at 4039 Clarks River Road in Paducah.

Born from a passion for rock music, The Rock Angel Cafe is based more on Whittaker's musical tastes than entrepreneurial spirit.

"Basically, I just love music, and more importantly, I love rock 'n' roll," said Whittaker, senior from Sparks, Nev.

Whittaker said he also realized the need for a rock 'n' roll club in the area.

"I noticed a lack of rock clubs in the area, especially an all-ages club where kids who are not yet 18 can go," he said.

In the early stages of development, Whittaker planned to open the club in Murray, but the opportunity was taken from him at the last minute.

The locale was the property next to Circus Skate, a venue Whittaker described as the only affordable place in Murray.

"When I found out the place in Murray was not available, I had to find an affordable place quick, since I already had a band booked," Whittaker said. "Paducah was the best place to open the club because of affordability and it's within a reasonable distance from Murray."

The eventual site of the Rock Angel Cafe was a former package liquor store, a building that needed several renovations.

"Meeting certain building and occupancy codes was extremely stressful," Whittaker said. "The state informed us of several changes we had to make in order to open."

To pay for the renovations and other upstart expenses, Whittaker looked to several sources for capital.

"I had an inheritance that I used to help open the club, and I had to take out some small loans as well," he said.

Even with an inheritance and loans, Whittaker felt his own hard work would be the best.

"With the help of my brother, I did everything I could on my own, so that I wouldn't have to pay out of my pocket for work on the club," he said.

That work included constructing the stage and sound system, painting the walls and building the majority of the bathroom.

The Rock Angel Cafe officially opened its doors June 29, taking its name from Whittaker's self-described male feminism.

"I wanted to give the club a name that was a tribute to females, such as my mother and my sister," he said. Thus far, the club has boasted national acts such as Michale Graves (lead singer of The Misfits), The Vibrators and The Eyeliners.

Local bands have also graced Rock Angel's stage, including rock band Cellar Door.

"We've played two shows there, and it seems like it could be very successful," said Jon Burris, sophomore from Paducah and bass player for Cellar Door.

"One of the most positive aspects is that it's an all-ages club," he said. "Even freshman who aren't yet 18 can still go there."
Although the primary draw of Rock Angel Cafe has been the rock 'n' roll acts, in the future Whittaker hopes to diversify the performances.

"I'm very open to bringing in creative writers, hosting poetry readings and maybe start doing art shows," he said.

While Rock Angel Cafe may be more than a stone's throw for Murray State students, Whittaker feels it can compete with the draw of bigger cities

and as with many Paducah Venues this one closed as well....reason unknown....more will be added as the site gets going