The 797 Lounge is undergoing a severe identity crisis, and I can't help but feel bad.

Before I continue, let me just make some things clear: I dig the 797 Lounge. I like that it tries to come off as this really sophisticated nightclub spot that you'd find in a big city. There have been many times where I've sat on their big couches or stood at their neon-color-changing countertop and forgotten that I was some nobody from a college town in the middle of nowhere -- if only for a brief moment.

But the thing I enjoyed and respected most about the 797 Lounge, 244 W. College Ave, was their openness to live, original music. I never saw a cover band in the 797, but I did see the Warmingtons, The Whatleys, The Surgical Staff, Pet Set and Drink Up Buttercup. I even got to play the 797 with my band back in September for what was my first experience playing in a bar.

Best of all, almost all of these shows have been 18-and-over, meaning the adults can drink while the kids can hang out in a bar and catch a great show. There were even rumors flying around that the Lounge would be setting up a downstairs area as a specific spot for bands to come play, very similar to how Bar Bleu, 114 S. Garner St., is set up.

Things were looking up for the original-music enthusiasts of State College. The gears were turning.

But, remember, this is State College, where sports fans remain the cream of the crop.

According to an Oct. 27 Daily Collegian article, the new manager of 797 Lounge, Lance Falkowski, is deciding to cancel its Cherry Darlings Productions music shows through December and reemphasize the sports theme of the bar, which was formerly the Sports Café & Grille. Falkowski is also the general manager of the Cell Block, 420 E. College Ave.

Does this mean the 797 will be Cell Block Jr.? Judging by Falkowski's comments, probably not, but I question his motives to minimize music in favor of sports through December. I understand if you want to put off live music during the World Series or Steelers and Eagles or Pens and Flyers games; it's a good idea not to have a band playing during a big sports game that matters to the region it serves -- or during big games in general.

I don't want to make accusations without all the facts. I've never run a bar and I certainly don't know if Falkowski is just following orders or calling the shots himself. But to whoever is making the decision to slowly squash any remnants of original music in this town, I must ask: What do you have against original music and its fans? Are we not as important as sports fans? Or simply less profitable?

On behalf of everyone in this town whose main priority doesn't revolve around going out on the town to watch a sports game on a big television -- something that can easily be accomplished at home for less money and more comfort or at countless other establishments around town -- I implore 797 to reconsider come next semester and incorporate original music back into its repertoire (which Falkowski did say is possible).

This isn't a personal vendetta. I'm not pissed because now my band has one less place to play a show. Hell, I don't care if we ever play a show at a bar again to be honest. I just want some bar owner/manager to go against the grain and cater to music fans for once.

In my time in State College, I've seen that live, original music can attract patrons -- especially for 18-and-over shows -- as long as the right steps in booking and advertising are taken.

You can always just put the sports game on mute, too.