Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)

Subject: Blue Dog Cellar
From:
Date: 02 Apr 01 - 05:57 PM

I'm seeking help from anyone who remembers The Blue Dog Cellar, a coffee house that featured folk music back in the early 1960's. The club was located at 102-1/2 22nd Street in Baltimore and was owned by the late George Stevens.

Thanks,

Skip Brooks

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar
From: GUEST,Arthur Fox
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 10:23 PM

I remember the Blue Dog well. I was both a frequent audience member and I occasionally performed on open mike nights.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar
From: johnross
Date: 19 Oct 06 - 09:16 PM

I have a copy of a very obscure LP called "Urban (folk) Renewal; Blue Dog Cellar Project No. 1" recorded at that club. It includes songs performed by Bob Sessions, Paul "Biff" Rose [sic], Jim Hoswell and Dianne Rose, and George Stevens. It has no number, but it's on the "Kimberly Recordings" label.

As far as I know, it was the first record to feature Biff Rose.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 02:16 PM

I am Jim "Hos" Hoswell's daughter, and would love to locate a copy (either a tape of the LP or the LP itself) of the Blue Dog Cellar album. Mine was water damaged in a flood, and I've been heartbroken about it.

Bryarly ([e-mail])

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Oct 08 - 12:55 AM

I went there a few times in the early sixties. I loved Biff's song, "My Children Are Laughing Behind My Back.

I loved that place.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Sep 09 - 01:56 PM

I am listing a copy of Urban Folk Renewal on e-bay today. The lp is in near mint condition, and cover is in VG++ condition. I only have one of these...so check ebay today!! (Sept 9-Sept.16 2009)

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,GuestLady
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 07:21 PM

I remember the Blue Dog Coffee House on north charles st; i think it was near the corner of charles & 22nd; on the east side of charles street; it was on the second floor; great place

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,guestlady
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 07:24 PM

why do you want help from people who remember the blue dog cellar?

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,ld
Date: 15 Feb 11 - 03:03 PM

I remember going to the Blue Dog on York Rd. next to the Senator Theater.   It was a great place. I think the place on the corner of Charles & 22nd was the Bluesette and I remember you went downstairs.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Feb 11 - 06:32 PM

the one 22nd st (near charles) was upstairs; i dont remember any coffee house next to the senator named blue anything

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,Wayne, near Baltimore
Date: 16 Feb 11 - 05:51 PM

In 1966 or so there was a place on twenty-something street called the Foghorn. We saw Dave Van Ronk there once. It was downstairs as I recall.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,me
Date: 05 Jul 11 - 11:25 PM

I frequented the Blue Dog Cellar after it moved to the outer portion of Baltimore, I believe on York Road. The old location of the Blue Dog Cellar, near downtown Balto., was quite rustic, with real brick walls inside. It was remodelled and became the Foghorn Folk Center. Upstairs were all kinds of folk music books, etc., while downstairs was the coffee house. At the grand opening of the Foghorn I met Josh White; he was sitting at a table and drinking Cutty Sark with the other folk performers, including George Stevens, form the Blue Dog. You also might remember the Blue Dog East on the boardwalk in Ocean City, MD. Spent many a night there as a mischevious high school student w/my other folkie friends. Some names you may remember from the Blue Dog coffeehouses, and the Foghorn, include Biff Rose, Hoss, of course George Stevens, the owner, and the great Bob Sessions. Heard and met them all. You also might want to find the old LP album Urban Folk Renewal which has live performances from the old Blue Dog. (The Balt suburbs, in Lutherville, had Patches Fifteen Below, a coffeehouse started by TV personality, Patches. Located 15 steps down in a basement, it borrowed many of the Blue Dog performers. I did all the coffeehouses back then; played guitar, and was a real folkie.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 06 Jul 11 - 02:45 PM

Don't remember the Blue Dog. I moved into Baltimore from the rural town of Westminster in 1964. I do remember the Foghorn. They were a music store on the ground floor and a folk club in the basement. I bought my first Tom Rush album there. I also had my Martin repaired there once. I remember seeing Judy Henske there. She was a petite young woman in a black sheath dress (very unfolkie, but very jazz). Hard to believe such a strong voice came from such a small person. I also saw Jesse Fuller there. I was a poor student and going there was a costly night for me, so I didn't see many acts.

I also spent many a summer evening at Patches 15 below. Being in Timonium, it was easy to reach from my rural home.   I attended many an open mike. I saw some acts there, but I cannot remember any of them.

I also attended the Cellar Door in DC several times. Usually with a group of friends to save on transportation. Saw Steve Goodman and Tom Rush there. Tom Rush's opening act was a weird guy smoking, drinking, playing the piano and croaking some incredible songs, Tom Waits. I had never heard of him before that.

Just some memories. Back to work.

Roger in Baltimore (at least I used to be in Baltimore)

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,Betty R.
Date: 05 Aug 11 - 05:37 PM

The other day I started thinking about the Blue Dog and thought that I would check it out on Google.
It was located on York Rd. across from the Senator Theater. I believe it was in a bank building.
Could not exactly remember the full name of the coffee house.
This was in maybe the late 60s.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,Mike of BallyC
Date: 06 Aug 11 - 07:57 PM

The Blue Dog that I remember from the '64-'65 era was a few doors south of the Senator Theater on the same side of York Road...you went through the street door and walked down a hallway to the club entrance ...recall seeing Carolyn Hester and Tom Rush perform there...remember seeing Ian & Sylvia at Baltimore Loyola College in those days also.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,Wayne
Date: 16 Oct 11 - 08:38 PM

I remember the Blue Dog Cellar well. It was the early, downtown one. I had moved away by the time it moved to York Rd.

Anyway, the owner, John Fager, is still in the business of providing the finest entertainment in Ocean City Maryland. His "Fager's Island" is one of the oldest and still the finest establishment in OC. Music, food, bar, fine dining, casual dining, and just relaxing is the plan. You may even be able to get a Blue Dog beer there!

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,Cadwalader
Date: 16 Dec 11 - 08:52 AM

I sang at all of the 60's coffee houses. George Stevens started the Blue Dog on west 22nd street and it did very well. He got a bit too sure of himself and moved the place to North Charles Street just south of what is now Northern Parkway. The new style did not go over well with his prime customers - folk music enthusiasts and the place folded in just about a year. A number of coffee house establishments occupied the original Blue Dog Cellar on west 22nd street until the landlord expanded his restaurant into the space. I ran a coffee house and music store there for the last year and then moved north to the corner of 25th and Maryland.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Feb 12 - 10:23 AM

So how ya' been 'Reds'..? I remember you played a Gibson, right? Been a long time. I first played the Blue Dog Cellar in maybe 1962 when George threw me into that madhouse of Sessions, Hoswell, Biff, and George Stevens himself. You knew he died in the plane crash with Jim Croce, right?

I did a couple radio interviews with Dr. Bob Hieronymus (Very old friend and 1st Singing Partner) in the last 8-10 years on his 21st Century Radio Show on WCBM and we did alot of the old memories crap and it was nice since I don't get back to Charm City much anymore...found life in The South to my liking, but I do remember those times well.

Skip Brooks

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST
Date: 05 May 12 - 05:00 PM

I don't remember the Blue Dog but in the later 60's some friends and I used to play at a coffee house colled "The Moat In" at 500 Cathedral St. Don't know if you remember that one.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,Everly Bros. harmony
Date: 14 Jun 12 - 11:10 PM

I just Googled the Blue Dog and found this thread. I of course remember going there with Bobby C.,singing at open mic, and meeting many performers including Dave Van Ronk. Maybe it was the Foghorn by then. I still have my sketch pad that I decoupaged with the playbills from there. How about the Peabody Bookshop? I moved back to this area a few years ago and would love to find good folk. My bro still plays bluegrass.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jul 12 - 02:28 AM

. The blue dog that I remember was on York road , in the main door of the movie and way in the back . When Buff did a live alblum there I was singing along and messed it up . He stopped the show and made fun about it , Great times. Patches 15 below oh yea like many of you I sang at the local places thanks for the memories   Tom Shelley

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: iancarterb
Date: 24 Jul 12 - 01:07 AM

More help needed from those who DO remember the Blue Dog Cellar. The name sounded right when I saw the thread, but I was never in Baltimore until January of 1966, and left in May- training at Bainbridge, MD whilst employed by the US branch of the Grey Funnel Line.
I remember a lean dark haired guy named George, reedy slow blues voice and pretty good guitar player, and it may have been Stevens but could have been Blatherskate:). I don't remember anything else about Baltinore except the excellent Farmers Market.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,Carol
Date: 26 Aug 12 - 03:35 PM

I frequented the Blue Dog (on 22nd st.) starting in 1963, then it became the Foghorn in 1964 or 1965. My friends threw me a surprise 18th birthday party there in April 1965. Carolyn Hester sang Happy Birthday to me. A few years back I saw she was playing Baldwin Station in Sykesville, a folk venue. She signed my CD with Happy Birthday. She still sings great. Still remember Patches 15 below and the Peabody Bookstore.    Anyone remember the great fundraiser for Appalachia held at Poly High School about 1966?   Incredible lineup with Buffy St. Marie, Josh White, etc.
    Good memories!   Carol   (on Facebook-Carol Martin Broderick)

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,Michael O'Hara, owner, THE FOGHORN
Date: 14 Dec 12 - 11:34 AM

Patches, passed away recently ... around THanksgiving, 2012.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,Wall Matthews
Date: 30 Mar 13 - 10:18 PM

As I was enjoying reading this thread, I was amazed and pleased to see Michael's response. As a young kid with a serious "folk habit", I have such warm memories of the Foghorn. I was always hanging around the upstairs shop trying to pick up guitar tips and was always tolerated even though I was probably a pain in the ass. I know I saw Josh White, Dave van Ronk, Patrick Sky, Jesse Fuller, and Jim Kweskin (solo). I am sure there were many others but they don't spring easily to mind. Does anyone have any records of the performances there ? It was a pivotal influence in my life and it was a special moment in the history of Baltimore that should beige well known and preserved.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Mar 13 - 12:46 PM

Interesting thread. I remember the original Blue Dog on 22nd Street with all its quirky bohemian charm, and of course, the late George Stevens himself. I used to hang out there nearly every Saturday night. It moved to Towson, on York Road in an office building, and I remember seeing Jose Feleciano there (phenominal!) and Joe & Eddie. The 22nd Street location became the Foghorn, with the Folk Center, selling guitars and music paraphernalia on the first floor and the music club itself in the basement. There was another place on Charles Street, up a few blocks, called the Flambeau, too. Good to hear that Skip Brooks and John Fager are still alive and well. I remember that Skip was in a Las Vegas lounge act with Hod David Jr and Diane Dellarosa ("Rose") that did well enough to get listed on Playboy's Jazz Poll one year. Never made it up to Patches 15 Below or to the Cellar Door in DC.

-Woody

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,j patrick sokoloski
Date: 20 May 14 - 08:22 PM

I remember the Blue Dog well. Took my future wife there, 22nd street, on several occasions. Josh White signed an album for her birthday in the store upstairs. We still have it. Out of all folk cafes, this was my favorite. Came upon this site while looking for the words and music to "ol blue". Had a record with t h George Stevens singing it. Someone mentioned seeing Ian and Sylvia. I saw them at Towson in the spring of 64. Ian Tyson is still performing and recording. He was at Rams Head a couple of years ago. Great memories. This is still the music I prefer to play

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,Michael Fremer
Date: 19 Sep 14 - 05:38 PM

Today I found at a used record store a copy of Blue Dog Cellar Urban (folk) Renewal Project No. 1 LP. Looked interesting. I had helped with some disc transfers for a Biff Rose reissue in 2005 and saw he plays on this.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,Lin
Date: 20 Sep 14 - 02:38 AM

To Guest Michael Fremer,

Could you please post a list of all the songs on this LP and the singer's names?

Also, do you know how many albums were released of the Blue Dog Cellar Urban Renewal Project? Was Dayle Stanley or Bonnie Dobson on any of these records?

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,Robin Patt-Corner
Date: 28 Oct 14 - 10:48 PM

As far as I know there was only one album ... I've got it in front of me now. If Hos' daughter can let me know a way, I'll be happy to give it to her in thanks for the music he and others introduced me to.

The program, as written is:

Bob Sessions sings:
Fenario
Foggy Foggy Dew
Mighty Day
Johnny, I Hardly Knew You

Biff sings:
Nancy Brown
Yes He Did

Hos sings:
Times are Getting Hard
Cotten (sic) Eyed Joe
Pastures of Plenty
50-50 Blues
George Stevens Sings:
My Children Are Laughing
900 Miles
Oh No George
Blue

That place and its successors were about the best things in my youth. Thanks to all involved!

R.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,Fred Ruark
Date: 04 Feb 16 - 05:11 PM

I was a frequent visitor to the Blue Dog on 221/2 St. while attending Johns Hopkins night school (then called McCoy College) have a copy of the LP 'Urban Renewal'. One of my favorite nights there was when Tom Paxton was on stage.

Can someone validate something about owner, George Stevens?

I heard he was killed in the same plane crash in Minnesota that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valents and the Big Bobber.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Mar 16 - 02:36 PM

Mark Britowich
The coffee house you refer to was not the Cellar, it was the Foghorn, owned by Patrick..... The Blue Dog Cellar was in Townson, yes, owned by George Stevens.
It was my joy to perform at the Foghorn with my folk group, to help out in the store, and have the opportunity to listen to, meet, and hang out with some of the greatest folk singers of that era, if not any era, including Phil Ochs and Tom Paxton, a group known as the Just Four.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST, BG
Date: 12 Sep 17 - 01:46 AM

I'm really interesed in the guy who wrote he was there for the opening of th Foghorn, and remembers Josh White sitting at a table with lue Dog performers drinking Cutth Sark. I have the exact same memory! I even got to shake Josh White's hand & recall he was a really nice person. We may have been in that same room at the same time. I also frequented the Blue Dog on York Rd., and the Blue Dog
East in Ocean City, all with my friend whose initials were A.C. You're not him are you?! If so, I'm B.G.!

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,Paul Andercyk
Date: 24 Jul 18 - 06:58 PM

I went to the Foghorn often on W. 22nd St. Some of the performers
That I remember from there are Phil Ochs, Carolyn Hester, Buffy St. Marie
and John Hammond. The original Blue Dog Cellar was on Charles St. near 25th.
The Timmonium club was Patches and Liz place, 15 Below. The O.C. Blue Dog was
around 9th I think and I also believe John Fager of Fager's Island fame had something to do with it.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,Dan Cohen
Date: 05 Mar 19 - 07:18 PM

I remember the Blue Dog Cellar well, especially Bob Sessions singing Old Blue (Had a dog and his name was blue). I recall that the menus included a drink called almond orzata, which I really enjoyed.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Apr 19 - 10:25 PM

George died in the plane crash with Jim Croce. He owned the Blue Dog Cellar at 102-1/1 22nd St. It was a downstairs club that became Michael O'Hara's 'Foghorn' coffee house when George and Johnny Fager opened The Blue Dog on York Road at Belvedere. That place burned and George then hung it up and pursue a stand-up career. He became successful and was booked as Croce's opening act for a tour and went down in the plane with Jim.

I met George in 1962 and started my career in the music business at The BD Cellar and worked in several groups and a duo - 'Skip & Kelly' for a while before leaving for New York with Hod David and Dianne Rose as 'David, della Rosa & Brooks. We played literally everywhere for 5 years before we went our separate ways in 1969. I spent a year as keyboard player for Josh White, Jr. and then went South where I have lived for almost 50 years.

Also played Patches '15 Below','The Cellar Door', 'Bassin's' in DC... Patches was a dear friend. he and Liz were very supportive of my musical efforts and I'll always be grateful to them and to George Stevens who gave me my start....

Great times.....

Skip Brooks

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Oct 19 - 05:24 PM

Memories actually. I used to perform there in the early Sixties and was looking for some of the old friends who hung out there.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Oct 19 - 05:30 PM

George died in the plane crash with Jim Croce in the early 70's.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,JR
Date: 30 Oct 19 - 05:50 PM

Logged many hours in the 22nd St. basement Blue Dog in the early ‘60s.
Still have the Urban (Folk) Renewal album.
Another frequent performer there was Donal Leace, who had the very best version of Old Blue.
The upstairs book store in the early 60’s was run by Madeleine Murray (later M M O’Hare). It was quite controversial, specializing in socialist literature ina time when the Cold War was still hot.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,Peter Rodman
Date: 31 Dec 21 - 11:07 AM

Thanks everyone for memories of the Blue Dog. I’m pretty sure I first went there to hear Ian & Sylvia for several reasons. First because of Ian’s 12 string guitar playing (he played a Gibson B25-12. Inspired by that, I still play my B45-12 bought for $175 at a department store in BelAir in 1963); second, because of their tight harmonies (like the opening notes of “Four Rode By); and third because Sylvia was so hot-my 15 yr old’s vision of feminine beauty. Also saw Dave van Ronk and Josh White at the BD. Thanks for memories of Bob Sessions. He performed the four pieces from the BD LP one night at Le Flambeau, and “Fenario” is still a favorite. His guitar & voice are imprinted on me. I played on a few Wednesday night “open mic” (too small for a mic) at Le F. starting in 1959-60 and on a few nights solo or with Tommy Cadwalleder as “The Neverly Brothers.” I arrived at this thread today on a path from Jeff Gutcheon, who played keyboards in Ian & Sylvia’s band, Great Speckled Bird, and many others with many of the great folk performers of the ‘60s-90s. He directed and produced some demos by my college band, The Forerunners, and joined two guys from that group to form ThunderGrin in 1967. Their near hit (only released in Miami where it made the top 60) was a fantastic piece titled “Women in the Street.” Thanks for these pleasurable memories.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jan 22 - 05:27 PM

The Blue Dog was in a cellar on 22nd St., west of Charles. The Flambeau was on the first floor, had to walk up some stairs outside on the east side of Charles south of 25th

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jan 23 - 04:00 PM

I just discovered this thread. I never been to the Blue Dog Coffeehouse before my time, but I recently discover an acetate of George Stevens doing standup. No date, acetates dont give too much information, but I wanted to see if any person remembers there being a recording of one of Stevens standup? I want to date this recording, there is no listing of him doing an actual recording so it would be great to digitize and release it!
Thanks and I am glad I can add to a piece of baltimore history!

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST
Date: 13 May 24 - 05:32 PM

The Foghorn was on West 22nd Street. I saw Jesse Fuller, Tom Rush, Tom Paxton and Jack Elliot there in '65 and '66. Still have the Jack Elliott flyer a continent away.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,Will Butler
Date: 21 Jun 24 - 06:18 PM

George, from the Bllue Dog, helped us set up and came to play after we got going. Summer of 63, I ran the Dulcimer Coffee House in Ocean City.Md. We also had Biff Rose, Carol Hedin and others

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,Carla Stewart Bradford
Date: 16 Jul 24 - 12:06 PM

I also loved to go there "way back when". I have a menu from there and an announcement card with who is playing on a particular date. Shows a picture of the host, George Stevens & guest, Don Leace.

Subject: RE: Help: Blue Dog Cellar (Baltimore Coffee House)
From: GUEST,Tom T
Date: 21 Dec 24 - 10:21 PM

I remember seeing Biff Rose at the Blue Dog in 63. He was very funny and not only sang
but did comedy and audience work. This was when the Blue Dog was on York Road next to the Senator Theater