The Boathouse
"Man I am a pop singer, I don't know how to sing country music."  This is what Pat Zill said to the record promoter who took him to Nashville in the early sixties. Producer Owen Bradley handled Pat's first recording, "Pick Me Up on Your Way Down." A million copies later, Pat Zill was a country singing sensation. That first single was followed up with two more crossover country hits, "Keys in the Mailbox" and "Heartaches by the Numbers." Pat toured all over the country and Canada, finally settling down back in Columbus, Ohio. In Columbus, Pat's nightclub "The Boathouse" was the most popular spot on the famous Columbus, Ohio Eastside strip. Although known for his country hits, Pat stocked the jukebox with his favorite Frank Sinatra records. When on stage Pat feels right at home, singing his own hits, Sinatra tunes and other pop favorites. The Boathouse never had it's own kitchen but for a while it did serve pizza. In the mid sixties Pat rented out an adjoining building to a young fellow right out of Whitehall Yearling High School who started Marina Pizza. A hole was cut into the wall and the Boathouse waitresses took orders for pizza. The Marina became so popular it eventually moved across the street into larger quarters. Started in 1958 the Boathouse lasted until the mid 80's. The building has had several tenants since then and as of this writing is up for sale. Pat, known as the "Singing Bartender," still croons at local and statewide events and has several recently released CD's. He even sang at a huge Las Vegas gig last year, his daughters wedding. |
Newspaper Advertisement from the Columbus Star about 1960
Newspaper Advertisement from the Columbus Star about 1965
musical selection - pick me up on your way down