Well-known artists who have appeared at Godfrey’s during the past four decades include Tom Paxton, Townes Van Zandt, members of The Roches, Rosalie Sorrels, David Bromberg, John Sebastian, Livingston Taylor, John Hartford, Eric Andersen, Tony Trischka, Norman and Nancy Blake, Red Clay Ramblers, Peter Rowan, Gamble Rogers, Nanci Griffith, Guy Clark, Peter Tork, James Cotton, Stan Rogers, Odetta, Chris Smither and Bill Morrissey. Godfrey’s appeal is intended to be universal and not limited to a certain type of audience. “Coffee house had a hippie culture connotation,” says Fry. Known for years as Godfrey Daniels Coffee House, it now calls itself a “listening club,” better describing its function. You have to be able to give some of yourself.”Īlthough it is associated with folk music, Godfrey’s has presented nearly every genre of music, as well as storytelling, poetry and improvisational comedy.
“Even a full-tilt blues band has to open itself to the audience. That’s why jazz works so well here,” Fry says. “The definition of folk music is broader than we usually think, beyond just bluegrass and singer-songwriters. There is also the lack of alcohol, the artistry of the performers here, and the fact that the atmosphere is definitely welcoming,” says Fry in a phone interview from his Bethlehem home. Because of the closeness, you get to know the performers and the energy between them and the audience. “It presents a very intimate form of entertainment. Dinsmore was manager and made baked goods and homemade foods sold at the front counter.įry explains Godfrey’s continuing appeal, which takes advantage of its moderate size (capacity is under 100): Fry co-founded Godfrey’s in 1976 with Cindy Dinsmore.įry was the first artistic director, booking performers at Godfrey’s. John Gorka, who wrote the book’s forward, is one of the artists who is a guaranteed sellout whenever he is booked at Godfrey’s.ĭave Fry is familiar to the Lehigh Valley as an adult and children’s musician, or “Troubadour,” title of his 2018 CD. Other features are the stories behind its logo, the quilt that adorns the back wall of the stage, the English Music Hall, and a strange turn on an Open Mike night.Īn index lists performers and the years they appeared at Godfrey’s.
There are sidebars spotlighting various artists. The oversize softcover book covers each year of Godfrey’s operations. Fourth St., Bethlehem, venue over the years. The book is packed with photos and stories of those who have performed at the 7 E. $45, paperback 2022), explains it this way: “How a small folk club became a legendary venue for musicians from around the world.” The cover of the new book by Dave Fry, “Welcome to Godfrey Daniels” (144 pp. If not, you are missing out on an important part of the local music scene and its history. If you live in the Lehigh Valley, you should know about Southside Bethlehem’s Godfrey Daniels.
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