How Cotati’s “Inn of the Beginning” got started

Aficionados of Cotati music history are in for a treat. An upcoming event, “Music in Cotati: Past and Present,” takes place on November 13 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Cotati Museum. It will offer a fascinating look at ground zero of the explosively popular music scene of the ‘60s and ‘70s. In addition, it will feature articles and photos of music-related events that date back to 1918. This covers a lot of territory, including school events, socials and the first Policeman’s Ball. Of particular interest to those wanting to know more about the lore of the Inn of the Beginning and the Cotati Cabaret, Ed Gilardi of the Cotati Historical Society put together binders that include fliers, posters and newsletters. The display wouldn’t be complete without a tip of the hat to Jim Boggio and his contribution to the Cotati Accordion Festival.

Here is a sneak peek at a tidbit of information you will find at the event. Ever wonder how the Inn of the Beginning got its name? According to an article by Charles McDermid, in 1968, Greg Cochrane rented a space that was a former Italian restaurant in downtown Cotati. The name he chose was meaningful because it would be a new beginning for many people. What was his inspiration? He admitted that he thought of the name while on LSD.

Over the years, the Who’s Who of famous musicians of the era performed at the Inn of the Beginning. Here is a partial list of the luminaries who graced the stage: Norman Greenbaum, Grateful Dead, Neil Young, Jack Elliot, Arlo Guthrie, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Waylon Jennings, Jefferson Airplane, Ricky Skaggs, Hank Williams Jr., Etta James, Taj Mahal, John Lee Hooker and Joan Baez. Although there were ownership changes over the years, they all had in common an ethic to keep a high caliber of entertainment for audiences to enjoy.

There will also be a panel of speakers, including Richard Cullinan, Scott Goree, Mark Braunstein, Neville Hormuz and Lindee Reese. Tom Gaffey and Jim Agius will act as interviewers and do a podcast. Each panel member will speak a little about themselves, after which the moderators will draw out stories and memories in an organic fashion. The question-and-answer session will take place in the Cotati Room adjacent to City Hall, starting at around 1:30 pm.

Four of the panelists had direct ties to the Inn of the Beginning. Richard Cullinan tended bar there in the mid-70s, both Scott Goree and Mark Braunstein were owners, and Lindee Reese performed there with her band.

During the discussion, in addition to the myriad of facts presented by the other panelists, you will learn about Reese’s tour de force history in the 60s and 70s. She and her former girlfriend, Cris Williamson, a feminist musician who has been called the “mother of women’s music,” founded Cloud Farm on Petaluma Hill Road right outside of Cotati. The farmhouse they rented in 1968 became a mecca for artistic expression. Among the many offerings, such as juggling, tap dancing, trapezing, gardening and a sweat lodge, they also hosted jam sessions and built a recording studio. David McNair, a co-founder of the Inn of the Beginning, was a member of Reese’s band. She quipped, “It was seven lesbians and one straight man. You could call it a one-man band.” She described her music as “punk rock before it existed.”

Reese dubbed San Francisco the center of rock and roll, but when Greg Cochrane opened the Inn of the Beginning, it provided an alternate place where people could enjoy high-caliber music in a more laid-back setting. In addition to performing several times at the Inn of the Beginning, her group was the house band at the Wild Side West bar in North Beach, San Francisco, for about a year. She is currently working on memoirs that she hopes to have published.

It is important to note that unvaccinated people must wear a mask when entering either building. Light refreshments will be available. There is no charge to attend. The address is 201 West Sierra Avenue.

Marilyn Lane is a Sonoma County resident who was a newsroom employee at The Press Democrat for 27 years.