What is the importance of Muddy's in the novel, Taft?

Muddy's is the bar in Memphis that John Nickel manages. He started there as a bartender and the person that arranges the live music, a job he was well-suited for because of his background as a drummer. He took the job in order to pay for Marion's night school. In time, the owner of Muddy's sold the bar to a doctor in order to move to Florida. The doctor leaves the day-to-day running of Muddy's to John. The bar is somewhat popular and a has a group of regular patrons. John tells people it is named after Muddy Waters.