Real Alaska Royalty.

[Arctic Dave]

Hobo Jim homeless again — Musician bids BJ’s Lounge goodbye after 25 years

For 25 years, BJ’s Lounge in Soldotna has been both the spiritual and professional home of Alaska’s most well-known troubadour, legendary singer/songwriter “Hobo” Jim Varsos.

But no more. On Saturday night, in front of a crowd that included an eclectic mix of graying old-timers and rowdy youngsters — but no tourists — Hobo Jim bid farewell to the bar with a sentimental farewell performance that left both the singer and his fans with tears welling in their eyes.

“It was sad. I don’t want to quit,” Varsos said. “I’ve been hanging my hat here for 25 years.”

BJ’s owner Ardie Crawford recently sold the liquor license to Don Jose’s, and the bar is closing down. Hobo Jim said he has no plans to stop performing in his adopted hometown of Soldotna (“I’m not done yet”), but will be taking his show across the street to the Riverside House, where he’ll play Friday and Saturday nights all summer long.


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I remember seeing Hobo Jim at BJ's years and years ago for the first time. He gets better and better as the years go by.

[MiddleFingerMom]

1. I would be unbelievably sad...

.
...if I had to bid adieu to BJ's.
.
.
.
I keed.
.
.
It wouldn't be very hard.
.

[Arctic Dave]

2. Especially after 25 years of aways having one.

Wait, what.

[greendog]

3. Saw him play at the Yukon Bar in Seward several years ago. It was one of the highlights...

...of my trip to Alaska. All the locals love him.

[Arctic Dave]

4. Hobo jim in Seward, can't more Alaskan then that. Hope you were able to drink along.

[bif]

5. Here's a video of him at BJ's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNliW9qhqg8

[Arctic Dave]

6. Awesome find :)