ABOUT Fanatics Pub

Fanatics Pub got its start as a music venue with the inspiration of Johnny Rawls who was the first artist to perform at Fanatics!

Jim Shelly will tell you, just ask him... he attributes the success of Fanatics Pub's thriving music scene to the inspiration of Legendary Soul & Blues artist, Johnny Rawls. As a struggling bar & restaurant owner, Jim was considering closing the doors when he and a friend went out to a Rochester hockey game and stopping for a few drinks at Dinosaur BBQ where Johnny Rawls just happened to be taking the stage. Jim was mesmerized by the performance and stayed for the whole show. He contacted Johnny the next day and asked if he would be interested in performing at the pub. Six months later he was the first blues performer at Fanatics Pub. He returned another six months later to a sold out crowd. Slowly Jim started to hear from other performers who wanted to play at Fanatics and from there, Fanatics Pub has evolved into a full blown blues club.