We are sad to report that Paul Wirth, owner of The Iron Post in Urbana, has passed. Paul ran the Iron Post for about twenty years, and he ran the Embassy Tavern for many years before that.
Paul did as much (or more) as anyone in the C-U area to keep our local music scene active through thick and thin. At the Post, he booked shows just about every night of the week, many times with two shows on Friday and Saturday. He gave new bands and up-and-coming performers a place to play. All genres were welcomed. The Post hosted many fundraising events for community organizations, and Paul was always accommodating.
From the first year of the C-U Folk & Roots Festival, Paul was very supportive and loved the idea of having the festival in downtown Urbana. Over the years, the Iron Post hosted many festival performances, often to a packed room, as well as jams, workshops, and the end-of-festival (into the wee hours) closing jam. The Iron Post also hosted several “Winter Weekend” performances.
Last year, through the pandemic, Paul kept the patio open and featured many evening performances there. Deep down, Paul was a music fan, and he really appreciated a good performance.
Paul was a good friend of the festival and through his efforts, the Iron Post was a key venue for C-U Folk & Roots Festival performances and activities. RIP Paul. We will miss you.