Country is out, hip-hop is in at local nightclub

“Man, basically, it is what it is,” said Wayne Carter of Kansas City. “I have no opinion on the matter. I just want to see a good show. Country bar or not.”

Carter was in line with a handful of people Thursday night awaiting entrance into Dallas, a nightclub at 3844 S. Noland Road that has been somewhat of a lightning rod of controversy since before it opened in May. Conceived as a country music theme bar with membership privileges, Dallas is now Club Dallas, home of the Kansas City area’s latest hip-hop spot. Carter was in line with friends from Kansas City who made the trek east on Interstate 70 to see a live hip-hop show headlined by special guest David Banner, a nationally recorded hip-hop artist from Mississippi who has one of the country’s top playing radio songs with “Get Like Me” (featuring Chris Brown and Young Joc).

“I mean, as long as they have tight security and Banner gives me what I want (a good show), I’m cool,” Carter said.

Sam Kafrouni, managing officer of the club’s parent company, Dallas of Missouri, LLC, said the market dictated the club change its theme after Dallas representatives publicly stated last year the club intended to be a country-music-driven establishment.

“Country was not working,” Kafrouni said when reached by telephone. “We didn’t have the market for it. Hip-Hop has the clout and the clientele, and we have the market to push it.”

In January, Kafrouni bought out the interest of one of the original owners of Dallas, Raymond Hyatt, who is involved in a breach of contract lawsuit with Jack and Sandra Larson of Independence over ownership rights of the original Dallas. That lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial Jan. 20.

Hyatt was accused in July by former workers of Dallas of not paying employees. Kafrouni said Hyatt, who served as a consultant for Kafrouni after Kafrouni purchased Hyatt’s interest, is no longer involved with the day-to-day operations of the club, though Hyatt’s wife, Myra, retains a 10 percent interest in the club. Independence police officials said Dallas representatives have requested off-duty officers to serve as security for events held at the club on Thursday nights. Since last Friday, Dallas has hosted the pre- and after-parties for KPRS radio personality Sean Tyler’s 6th annual White Linen Party, a roving edition of KPRS’ Kenny Diamondz “Underground Heat” hip-hop show and Thursday’s KPRS sponsored show.

“Once the state approves their Sunday sales license, they have requested off-duty officers for Sunday nights as well,” said Tom Gentry, the Police Department’s public information officer.  Gentry added that since the switch in themes, no incidents have been reported.

“From what I’m hearing, they have had no problems down there,” he said, checking incidents reports as far back as Aug. 20.

Terry Hartwig of the city’s liquor control department, said there has not been a change in the status of Kafrouni’s liquor license, which the City Council approved in May. Hartwig also stated that the city has not received complaints of Dallas violating terms of the city’s liquor control policies.

“We have high-class clientele,” Kafrouni said, adding the club has a strict dress code and readily enforces identification requirements for patrons. Thursday night was par for the course, Kafrouni said. “We did good (Thursday) night. It was a good turnout.”