For almost thirty years Johnny Williams hosted concerts in the basement of his home on Dexter Rd. Known as Johnnyís Speakeasyóitís reputed to have been one during Prohibitionóit was one of the most intimate music venues in the Ann Arbor area, treasured by fans, local musicians, and national touring acts.
All that came to a standstill in September 2022 after a fire severely damaged Williams’s home. Although Williams had faithfully paid premiums on his AAA home replacement value insurance policy for thirty years, his friend and local contractor Doug Selby says the company’s settlement offer fell far short. “In my opinion, it’s not an adequate settlement,” Selby says. “If you would talk to any reputable contractor in our area they’d tell you that it would be impossible to rebuild that house for that amount.”
The dispute has lasted for more than a year and now appears to be heading to the courts: AAA is suing Williams to accept the settlement offer.
In response, a number of Williams’s friends, led by Selby and local musicians Judy Banker and Chris Buhalis, have rallied to his support. They have held several peaceful protests, marching on the sidewalk in front of AAA’s Main St. office on U-M football Saturdays, carrying placards such as “Justice for Johnny,” and “AAA Must Pay.”
They’ve also created a website, savethespeakeasy.com, with information about the ongoing dispute, and “have formed a Save the Speakeasy nonprofit corporation to house donations,” writes Banker. “People can donate through the website.”
The website also includes testimonials from musicians and fans of the Speakeasy, articles from the Observer and MLive, and information about several upcoming benefit concerts to increase awareness and to raise funds for rebuilding the Speakeasy. The first at the Ark on January 9 is already sold out, but it will be followed by shows at the Manchester Underground on February 17 and Livonia’s Trinity House Theatre on April 14.
“Johnny Williams has nothing to do with any of this,” Selby stresses. “I think he’s frankly a little embarrassed about it, but he appreciates everybody stepping up to help.”
