By Kerry Clawson Akron Beacon Journal

Published October 28, 2021

Editor’s note: This is the third story in a series spotlighting live music venues in and around Akron published by the Akron Beacon Journal.

For the Vaill brothers, Seth and Nate, owning the Rialto Theatre in Akron’s Kenmore neighborhood has been an outgrowth of their own musical passions.

Seth, 36, and Nate, 41, originally from Norton, put together the folk band, A Band Named Ashes, when Seth was about 19 and Nate was about 24. Nate wrote music, played guitar and was lead singer, and Seth started in the band playing bass before moving to keys.

The sons of Norton teachers, the brothers dropped their own plans to become educators as they began touring regularly with their band. In 2008, they started recording and editing their own music at their home studio, which led to engineer Nate gaining recording clients.

“We need a facility to kind of house bigger artists and do bigger recording,” Seth Vaill related about the brothers’ goal at the time.

They started renting-to-own the old Rialto movie theater at 1000 Kenmore Blvd. in 2010, creating a recording studio for themselves and other musicians while renovating the theater over the next four years.

The goal was to create one venue where musicians could record, practice, mix, edit and perform. That includes providing a theater performance space for album release parties.

The Vaill brothers purchased the 1920s-era Rialto in 2014, going into family business with parents Bill and Sue with Just a Dream Entertainment Inc. The Rialto Theatre was born in 2015 when they got a liquor license, and local artists started playing at the venue.

By 2017, the Rialto was growing and attracting traveling artists, including Clark Beckham from American Idol. They have also hosted comedians, including Dustin Diamond (“Screech” from “Saved By the Bell,”), and they rent for private events.

Among its diverse offerings, the venue also has swing dancing nights the second and fourth Wednesday of every month.

The Rialto closed due to COVID-19 in March of 2020 and didn’t reopen until this past July. The theater hosts artists in every genre, including folk, rock, hip hop, country and alternative.

Now, the brothers are gearing up to open an intimate new live music performance space — the Rialto Living Room. It’s a lounge area at the front of the building where guests can get a drink at a new second bar, order sandwiches, salads or appetizers from a small café and listen to music.

The space was created by relocating the Rialto’s front recording studio and moving it next door on Kenmore Boulevard.

The Rialto Living Room will have its grand opening Dec. 17 and 18 at Kenmore Winter Break, an annual mini-festival that features local musicians. Each night will feature three bands on the main stage and three solo artists in the Rialto Living Room.

Vaill recently talked about the Rialto as part of a Beacon Journal series spotlighting live music venues in and around Akron. (Some responses have been edited for brevity.)

What does the Rialto Theatre have to offer that might be different from other area music venues?

We try and take an opportunity for artists to do multiple things at our venue. And what I mean specifically about that is the recording, the mixing, playing at an actual performance space where the venue is dedicated to the show. We actually record — both video and audio — the actual shows. So the artist can actually take that home, and we’ve done Live at the Rialto. So in other words, we actually use the space to record the performance so they can actually release the album. We’re run by musicians for musicians and music fans.

What’s the most challenging thing about running a concert venue?

Making each show as successful as they can be, and a lot of that has to do with attendance. You need to create avenues to make each show have a little spice to it. You give your audience opportunities to kind of see new things and create opportunities to see new stuff. We’re not gonna do folk all the time. We’re gonna do a hip hop show, we’re gonna do a theater show, we’re gonna have a play, we’re gonna have a comedy show.

Conversely, what’s the most rewarding thing about running a concert venue?

We think music — arts and culture — is one of the most rewarding things in our society. We think it’s an opportunity for people of all different backgrounds to share something.

What have been some of the most memorable shows at the Rialto Theatre?

The most important show is the first show we ever did back in May 2015 [including A Band Named Ashes and country artist Mark Leach], because that was the start of our wonderful venture that we’re doing today.

Why was it important for you to include two recording studios at your venue?

One is more like a vocal booth, the other is more like a band setup. We think it’s important, because for artists having an album recorded and tracked is a really important part of being a musician.

Arts writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.

Upcoming concert schedule at the Rialto Theatre

A Brief History of 991 Kenmore Boulevard.

102 years ago, workers were busy clearing the lot located on the northeast corner of Kenmore Boulevard and 15th Street for the construction of a new building.

Upon opening in 1919, the new structure bared the name G. L. Cook & Son Co. and by 1937 was known simply as Cook Hardware. The Cook family business would remain at 991 Kenmore Blvd. for 84 years.

Cook Hardware is remembered fondly by current and former Kenmore residents alike, including Kim Hamilton-Jenkins (KHS Class of ’75), who took the photograph to the right around 1983.

“I have so many memories of going to Cook Hardware with my father as a child and even as a young adult,” Kim recalls. “I would go there to buy balls of twine and maybe a few nails, which were sold for just pennies apiece. Most of the wares were loose items in bins and you’d gather up your purchases, take them to the counter and they’d everything put in a small brown bag.”

The closure of Cook Hardware in 2003 was an emotional experience for many longtime Kenmore current and former residents like Hamilton-Jenkins, however the closing of Cook only marked the end of the first chapter for 991 Kenmore Blvd., as the building still had a bright future ahead of it.

Seven years ago, the Cook Building became part of Kenmore’s lush musical landscape when it became home to Thom Tadsen Live Album Recording Studio – where new memories are made on the BLVD every time Thom presses record.

Tadsen, a drummer and recording engineer, owns the 24 track live and 128 playback music studio and specializes in punk, metal, rock and rockabilly. The building’s 7,000 square foot footprint and 14 foot high ceilings make it perfect for tracking instruments – especially drums.

“I’ve carved out a niche tracking bands live in the studio producing records that really resonate with people,” Thom says. “There is magical quality to live band in the room hitting a great performance. You can’t fake it.”

Connect with Thom Tadsen Live Album Recording Studio via Facebook.

On May 1, 2021, Lavar Jacobs opened the Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Resource Center at 946 Kenmore Boulevard to support women faced with a breast cancer diagnosis and in need of anything from counseling and financial advice to a massage or a wig fitting. Named in tribute to his mother who passed away from breast cancer in 2009, Lavar has worked tirelessly to honor her life, memory and courageous battle by providing support to women as they go through breast cancer treatment and beyond.

1. Why did you choose to start the Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Resource Center?

My Mother passed away from Breast Cancer in 2009. That led me to start my nonprofit organization, Not Just October (NJO), in 2014. We were providing several resources for women currently battling, but wanted to establish a single location to provide as many of those resources as we could from. That location ultimately became the Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Resource Center.

2. Did you face any challenges while working to establish Not Just October? How did you overcome them?

Spreading the word about the organization was an issue initially, but I buckled down and got deeper in the community through events and organizations. Networking is a major key in the growth of NJO.

3. What services do you provide to women battling breast cancer and their families?

We provide lawn care, snow removal, home cleaning, carpet cleaning, wigs, massages, tutoring for their children, therapy for the family members, food through our pantry, and much more. Anything a woman may need, if we can find an entrepreneur who provides the service and we have the finances to pull it off, it’s done!

4. Why did you choose to locate the center on Kenmore Boulevard?

Kenmore is a growing area and I also appreciated the support they gave us on social media. Everything lined up and it was perfect!

5. Did you have any connection to Kenmore prior to opening the Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Resource Center?

No I didn’t. I work at Metro on Kenmore Blvd., but that was the extent of it.

6. How can people help support the Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Resource Center?

People can donate in person at our location financially or through cash app $notjustoctober, Zelle notjustoctober@gmail.com, or drop off non-perishable items to our pantry. We are active on all social media under @notjustoctober, FOLLOW US!

7. What advice do you have for anyone who may want to launch their own nonprofit in Kenmore?

GO FOR IT! I’m here to support, don’t get in your own way, focus and make it happen.

8. What is your favorite spot in Kenmore? What do you love about it?

Just a Dad From Akron because I like what they represent over there! Being a father is important and I’m happy about the recognition they give us.

9. How do you envision Kenmore Boulevard in 10 years?

I think Kenmore Boulevard will have an artistic Highland Square kind of vibe with food and exciting attractions.

10. Is there a favorite memory of your mother that you’d like to share?

I wish I could relax and watch General Hospital with my Mom, she loved Soap Operas. My mom always told me to believe in myself, she was also my biggest supporter. She’s the reason I feel like I can do anything!

Bonus question: What should people know about the Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Walk Saturday?

People can expect a sea of pink taking over Kenmore Blvd! The street will be blocked off down to Shadyside Park! Vendors in the park will be welcoming and selling all different types of merchandise. Show up at 8am wearing pink or purchase some Not Just October merchandise, WALK WITH US!!!

The Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Walk ’21 takes place Saturday, October 16 from 10am – 3pm. The walk begins at the Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Resource Center (946 Kenmore Blvd, Akron Ohio, 44314) and concludes at Shadyside Park. For more information, visit kimjacobswalk.org.

Photo: Sane Wynn

In 2015, Seth and Nate Vaill opened a music venue run by musicians, for musicians and music fans on Kenmore Blvd, Akron’s music row. It became a successful business that, by all accounts, would be sustainable for years to come.

Then came March 2020.

The Rialto Theatre’s certain and predictable future went out the window as COVID-19 rapidly spread across the United States. Suddenly every show, event and activity was cancelled, and the concrete foundation the theatre’s future rested on turned to quicksand. Instead of planning for the next show, the Vaill brothers found themselves preparing for an uncertain world of unprecedented mandates, restrictions, guidelines and lockdowns.

“The past year and a half has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride,” Seth said. “At the end of every day we had to ask ourselves if our business could even survive through the next day.”

The Vaills debated whether to continue as a live music venue or change their business model altogether. Ultimately, these musically minded brothers held tight to the vision for The Rialto Theatre, adapting however possible to make their venue a safe place for artists, concert goers, and employees

“Many of the touring artists include a special COVID-19 clause in their contracts outlining what precautions must be taken in order for them to perform here,” Vaill explained. “The artists want to stay healthy so they can stay on the road. They also want to keep their audiences healthy.”

In response, The Rialto Theatre joined more than a dozen regional music clubs and theaters that, in September, began requiring proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test for entry into their establishments. Ultimately, the measures have enabled venues to keep their doors open while offering a consistent, united message to their shared customer base. In July, The Rialto Theatre began hosting live music again and continues to evolve, renewing its owners’ optimism for the future of their business and the Boulevard. By the end of 2021, the owners will launch The Rialto Living Room, an intimate venue located in the front of the Rialto building with a second bar that will serve food and host solo performers.

If its October schedule is any indication, it promises to be bigger and better than ever. From the pop/soul stylings of American Idol runner up Clark Beckham to the no-nonsense hard rock of national touring act Thelma and the Sleaze, there is something from everyone coming up at The Rialto.

Kick off the weekend this Friday, Oct. 8, at The Rialto with a double album release party featuring Mudhouse Gang and Kenmore’s own The Tenants, followed by PIN 2 HOT, Samantha Grace and Ed Potokar’s “Sound Dart” on Saturday, Oct. 9.

For a complete concert schedule and tickets, visit therialtotheatre.com.