If you’ve ever gone to see a show at the Iron Horse Pub, then you probably noticed the mysterious, friendly face of one of our favorite bartenders, Ronny Berry. Ronny is not only tied to bringing beverages to the masses, he has also been a lifelong music lover, which fits nicely with his position at Iron Horse Pub.
Berry started his bartending journey in 1995 at Cousins in the old Kell Mansion. He was thrown in to the job at 18, but at the time had no plans to make it a career. He decided to move to Austin, TX with no plans to continue bartending, but after six weeks at his new job the owner had some bad news. “Hey guys, you’re all unemployed. Just sold the business…. Good luck.” He did have his talents to fall back on when he realized, “Well, maybe I can find a bartending job…. The rest is history.”
Ronny started working at the Taz Country Bar in the late 90’s where he met up with Texas artist like Rodney Pyett, Brandon Jenkins, Stoney Laue, and Brandon Rhyder. That’s when his parents started their love for the Texas/Red Dirt scene and began following bands. “Dad was a musician and mom was a huge fan of live music.” The two became a staple synonymous with Texhoma’s music scene. Berry states that his father use to say, “I’m her driver… I go where she tells me to.”
For a brief time, Ronny left for Florida to get some sand in his toes. Unfortunately, his mother’s health took a turn for the worse, so he moved back to Austin to be closer. Austin was close enough to be able to visit his family and still get to catch incredible live music. However, in February of 2013 his mother was diagnosed again with cancer. “They told her it was terminal… I quit my job of nine years, sold my house, and moved back to Wichita Falls.”
For the first two months he didn’t work. He spent every moment he could with his mother. “I was taking her back and forth to chemo. Taking her out to lunch and buying her funny clothes, having fun and just spending every minute I could with her.” After a while he noticed the bank account was getting smaller and smaller. In 2011 Iron Horse had a benefit for Ronny’s mom for her first bout with cancer. That’s where he met owners Danny and John. Ronny happily added, “They were kind enough to offer me a job.”
Ronny has been at the Pub for almost five years now and has been General Manager for a little over two years. Every time I’m at the Pub I don’t just go for the shows. I love to watch the staff. They are slinging beers, taking orders, making drinks all while singing and dancing to the talent of the night. “We have fun. I have to say, I have an amazing staff. We love all types of music. I have discovered so many bands just by working there.” Ronny loves his position and loves getting to entertain the people there and making sure they’re having a good time. “Everybody’s lives are different and we all have our own stresses in life, but I really enjoy taking that load off of people mind’s at the end of the day when they come and see me.” To him the job is so much more than just serving drinks. “Basically, you’re a doctor, you’re a counselor, you’re a school teacher,” he states with a chuckle. “You help people anyway you can. Sometimes it may be a drink, sometimes just a conversation.”
Like myself, Ronny loves how this town has been growing lately. As Ronny stated, “For a town of Wichita Falls’ size, it amazes me how many things are going on.” From St. Patrick’s Day Downtown Festival to Cajun Fest and Cattle Baron’s Ball, his calendar is pretty full. The downtown area has also grown.”
Ronny tries to lead by example. “I wouldn’t tell my employees to do anything I wouldn’t do.” The staff at Iron Horse Pub works as a tight family. The love they have for each other and their leader shines with every show. Make sure to say hello to one of our favorite people/ bartenders in Texhoma next time you catch a show at the Pub.
-James Cook
