ION INDIE MAGAZINE August 2014, Volume 3 | Page 69

The Fenix Supper Club is the
vision of LAURA VAN GALEN.
Laura is a successful business
woman, and like all successful
business persons, treats Fenix like
a business. She didn't just find
some empty warehouse and say
“This will do”. It was a two year
search to find the right building
and location to suit her purpose. In
2013, the search ended when she
found the current location. Ms.
Van Galen was a 2008 winner of
the National Association of
Women
Business
Owners
(NAWBO) “Rising Star Award”, an
American Marketing Association
Finalist for the “Change Master
Award” 2006, and the Women’s
Initiative 2010 “Women Entrepreneur of the Year”. Her businesses are regularly recognized as the fastest growing companies
and largest women-owned by Inc. Magazine, 2007, 2008 and 2009; as well as in the San Francisco Business Times in 2008,
2009, 2010 and 2011. In 2008, Ms. Van Galen was struck by the need to revive the Marin music scene. She is hoping to
make a change…in our community, in our schools…to support the talent among us and nurture the soul. As a mother of two
accomplished musicians--her father a cellist, uncle a pianist, grandmother an organist, and her fiancé a saxophonist, Ms. Van
Galen knows how important music is in our daily lives. This club will be more than a great place to eat, drink and listen to
great music–it will be the launch of Ms. Van Galen’s vision of virtual entertainment.
Who doesn’t know MERL, the Executive Director of Fenix? If you don’t know him, you should. Music is a birthright for this San
Francisco native. The namesake of legendary keyboardist MERL SAUNDERS, SR., he grew up at the heart of the vital Bay
Area music scene with other well-known “music families” like THE GRATEFUL DEAD and CREEDENCE CLEARWATER
REVIVAL and the Gospel HAWKINS FAMILY. Performing with THE SAN FRANCISCO YOUTH in his teens was just the start
of his lifetime career in the industry.
From his first tour with THE PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND to subsequent gigs with MICHAEL JACKSON, ROBERT
CRAY, DAVID CROSBY and FRANK ZAPPA, Merl has developed a unique spirit to excel in the business. As Director of
Marketing and Artist Relations at GIBSON GUITARS, and as Senior Marketing Coordinator and Artist Relations with DEAN
MARKLEY STRINGS, he has led creative teams to produce successful campaigns and endorsements for many top GRAMMY
winners.
In 1994, the calling for charitable work led him to produce Gibson’s “100th Anniversary Celebration” at the historic FILLMORE
AUDITORIUM as a benefit for San Francisco’s Glide Memorial Church. Pulling together talent that had created the soundtrack
of his childhood, he brought to the stage emcee WAVY GRAVY and a host of musical heavy hitters: COUNTRY JOE AND
THE FISH, LITTLE FEAT, GREG KIHN, GREGG ALLMAN, NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN, ELVIN BISHOP, HOT TUNA,
MOBY GRAPE, BOB WEIR; as well as Merl Sr.
Merl is a wizard (pun intended) at bridging relationships. In July 2000, Merl was named Executive Director of The San
Francisco Chapter of The Recording Academy. His high-profile friends in the industry help to increase awareness of his
mission to promote public music and arts education. Under his leadership, the 30-year-old chapter realized a 10 percent
increase in membership annually, and continued to reach a broader audience of music business.
Of course, you'll want great food when hearing those killer tunes the Fenix offers, and the ones in charge have spared no
expense to bring the best. But what is the best if not prepared by the best? That's where the Executive Chef comes in. Chef