RE: [dcab-l] Please, humor me...

Matt,

 

That’s not any easy question.  The Cellar Door charged what seemed to be a lot of money at the time, so you didn’t just go hang out there.  Also, they often had two shows a night which required two cover charges if you wanted to see both.  I, and most of my friends, only went there a few times a year when it was somebody you really wanted to see (like the David Grisman Quintet with Tony Rice!).   I never went to the Shamrock, but some of my friends did.  My impression of their stories was that it was more like a local bar (like the Friendly Inn) except that it was in DC.

 

The Red Fox was definitely more of a neighborhood bar with outstanding entertainment.  The cover charge was relatively cheap ($2 or $3), and most people that went there more than a few times knew the owner (Walt Broderick) and the key barmaid (Martha, who married Danny Kimball).  The nights that the Seldom Scene played were always packed.  Other nights less packed, but sometimes packed when some out of town bands appeared.  You could always find many of the local pickers hanging out to see who was playing.

 

The original Birchmere (the current location is actually their 3^rd location) was a great hangout.  Once the Seldom Scene moved from the Red Fox to the Birchmere, the Red Fox lost its reputation.  At the same time, the Birchmere was bringing in bluegrass acts from outside the area (Boone Creek, the Cache Valley Drifters from California, the Knoxville Grass, JD Crowe and the New South).  Most of those shows were well attended.  The cover charges were higher at the Birchmere than the Red Fox, but it was worth it for the caliber of talent and entertainment. 

 

The bottom line was that most of us went to other local bars with no cover charge and cheaper drinks (DiGennaro’s, Takoma Tap Room, Zip’s, Whitey’s, Charlie’s West Side in Annapolis, Pardner’s Too, the Silver Fox, Wally’s Crab Boat, The Silo Inn, etc.)  most nights of the week and went to the Red Fox or the Birchmere when there was somebody that was special to see.

 

Changes to the drunk driving laws really changed the dynamics of the bluegrass bar scene…

 

Other thoughts or opinions from other folks who were part of the scene back then?

 

Tim Kruzic

 

From: dcab-l@googlegroups.com [mailto:dcab-l@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Matt
Sent: Monday, July 22, 2013 9:39 PM
To: dcab-l@googlegroups.com
Subject: [dcab-l] Please, humor me...

 

 

Most would contend that the 70's was the apex of the performance opportunities for local bands. I've heard of the Red Fox, have the 'Live at the Cellar Door' (in vinyl) heard of the Shamrock. Many others too, I'm sure. 

 

Which one had the best crowds?

 

Just wondering...

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