The Blue Dogs (band)

The Blue Dogs are a band formed in 1987 by Bobby Houck and Hank Futch while attending Davidson College[1] in North Carolina. Known for their American roots sound and interactive performances, the band has become a staple in southern live entertainment.

Blue Dogs
Hank Futch and Bobby Houck
Background information
OriginCharleston, South Carolina, United States
Genres
Years active1987–present
LabelsBlack River
Websitebluedogs.com
MembersBobby Houck
Hank Futch
James Bernabe
Dan Hood
Parker Dewitt

History

Early years

Having known each other since childhood, both attending Cub Scouts together in their hometown of Florence, South Carolina, Houck and Futch started the Blue Dogs as an acoustic oriented act rooted in bluegrass and country covers. Based out of Charleston, South Carolina after college the duo performed live every opportunity they had honing their playing abilities, vocal harmonizing style, and songwriting. With the addition of drummer Greg Walker in 1993 the band shifted their style to a more roots rock, country rock direction.

1990–2000

The Blue Dogs' first album came out in 1991, when they released Music For Dog People[2] on their Black River label. That album was followed by 1993's Soul Dogfood[3] and 1995's Live at the Dock Street Theater[4], both of which are also on the Black River label. While those three releases contained cover songs, the Blue Dogs' fourth album, The Blue Dogs[5], (which was produced by John Alagia and came out in 1997), marked the first time that one of their albums contained all original material. 1998 saw the addition of guitarist David Stewart and the band recorded its fifth album, For The Record[6][7], a live release that was followed by a studio effort titled Letters From Round O[8][9][10][11], (which was produced by Cracker's David Lowery in 1999).

2001–2012

The Blue Dogs' seventh release, Live at the Florence Little Theater[12][13], was recorded in 1998 but didn't actually come out until 2002. 2004’s Halos and Good Buys[14][15][16][17], was produced by Don Gehman[18][19] (John Mellencamp, R.E.M., Hootie & the Blowfish, Pat Green). In January 2005, Live at Workplay[20][21][22], a live CD released later in 2006, was recorded at the Birmingham, Alabama concert venue of the same name. Produced by Bruce Hornsby guitarist and veteran producer Doug Derryberry[23][24]. In 2008, to mark their 20th anniversary, the Blue Dogs released a DVD of a live performance in their hometown, recorded in a 200-year-old theatre called the Dock Street Theatre. On Thanksgiving Day 2008, Live at the Dock Street Theatre...again[25] (Black River label) was made available including guest appearances by friends and established South Carolina musicians: Blue Dogs songwriter Phillip Lammonds[26][27], Tommy Dew and Kevin Wadley from the Charleston, SC band The Archetypes, Danielle Howle, mandolin player Daren Shumaker, and the Adande African Drum and Dance Company featuring former Blue Dogs percussionist (‘97-’98) Jesse Thrower.

2013–present

After 25 years together the Blue Dogs celebrated with a two-set performance at the Charleston Music Hall[28][29] where guests and friends paid tribute to the band. Darius Rucker was joined onstage by his band mates from Hootie & the Blowfish, Edwin McCain performed and sang on two songs. Nashville songwriter Radney Foster performed with the band two songs that he co-wrote with lead singer Bobby Houck. There were also appearances by other South Carolina musicians including Cravin’ Melon's Doug Jones, Dangermuffin's Dan Lotti, Danielle Howle, Mac Leaphart and John Satterfield, as well as former past members of the Blue Dogs. This event has now become an annual tradition for the band and their fan base.

The band continues to perform live having shared the stage with artists such as Willie Nelson, Widespread Panic, Bruce Hornsby, Hootie & the Blowfish and more. They performed the national anthem on NBC at the final Southern 500 NASCAR race in Darlington, SC in 2004, and in 2007 they were the house band for a week on Wheel of Fortune television show.

Charity work

The band is affiliated with the Medical University of South Carolina's Children's Hospital as a charity partner[30][31], (MUSC). Funds from their annual Music Hall shows and an additional Sunday morning "songwriter in the round" brunch directly benefit MUSC's Children's Hospital rebuilding efforts.

Members

Current
  • Bobby Houck – Lead vocals, Acoustic guitar, Harmonica (1987–present)
  • Hank Futch – Vocals, Upright bass, (1987–present)
  • James Bernabe – Mandolin
  • Dan Hood – Guitar
  • Parker Dewitt – Drums, Percussion

Collaborators and past members

Discography

Studio albums
  • Music For Dog People (1991)
  • Soul Dogfood (1993)
  • Blue Dogs (1997)
  • Letters From Round O (1999)
  • Halos And Good Buys (2004)

Live albums
  • Live At The Dock Street Theater (1995)
  • For The Record (Live at the Handlebar) (1999)
  • Live At The Florence Little Theatre (2001)
  • Live At Workplay (2006)

Compilations
  • Aware 5 - The Compilation CD (1997)
  • Country Fried Rock Vol. 2 (2013)

Soundtracks

Videos
  • Live at the House of Blues (2004)
  • Live at the Dock Street Theatre...again (2008)

References
  1. College, Davidson. "Davidson College - Davidson, NC". www.davidson.edu. Retrieved 24 March 2018.
  2. "Music for Dog People - The Blue Dogs". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  3. "Soul Dogfood - The Blue Dogs". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  4. "Live at the Dock St. Theatre - The Blue Dogs". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  5. Henderson, Alex. "Blue Dogs - The Blue Dogs". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  6. "For the Record". The Internet Archive. 501c Non Profit. 1998. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  7. Henderson, Alex. "For the Record - The Blue Dogs". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  8. Joyce, Mike (17 March 2000). "BLUE DOGS "Letters From Round O" Blue River". Washington Post. WP Company, LLC. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  9. Henderson, Alex. "Letters From Round O - The Blue Dogs". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  10. Metzger, John. "Blue Dogs - Letters from Round O (Album Review)". The Music Box. The Music Box. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  11. Pop, Gail (1 January 2000). "Blue Dogs - Letters From Round O". The ChickenFish Speaks. The ChickenFish Speaks. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  12. "Live at the Florence Little Theater | The Blue Dogs". Slacker Radio. Slacker Radio. 12 February 2002. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  13. Henderson, Alex. "Live at the Florence Little Theater - The Blue Dogs". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  14. Waddell, Ray (20 March 2004). "Billboard Magazine - Halos And Good Buys review (Pages 53-54)". Billboard Magazine. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  15. Starr, Jason. "MUSIC REVIEW: Blue Dogs – a complete package". Summit Daily News. Swift Communications, Inc.
  16. Brockett, Matt. "Halos and Good Buys - Blue Dogs". JamBands. Relix Media Group, LLC. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  17. Lankford, Jr., Ronnie D. "Halos and Good Buys - The Blue Dogs". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  18. Rowe, Jeri. "MUSIC NOTES: THE BLUE DOGS". Greensboro News & Record. BH Media Inc./Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  19. Ankeny, Jason. "Don Gehman | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  20. Lankford Jr., Ronnie D. (2 May 2006). "Live at Workplay | The Blue Dogs". Slacker Radio. Slacker Radio. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  21. Rogers, Tracy M. "Blue Dogs - Live at Workplay (Album Review)". The Music Box. The Music Box. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  22. Lankford Jr., Ronnie D. "Live at Workplay - The Blue Dogs | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  23. "White Star Sound | Doug Derryberry". www.whitestarsound.com. Doug Derryberry. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  24. Derryberry, Doug. "Doug Derryberry - Producer Discography". www.dougderryberry.com. Doug Derryberry. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  25. "The Blue Dogs | Asheville Music Guide". www.ashevillemusicguide.com. Asheville Music Guide. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  26. "Phillip Lammonds | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  27. "Curb Music Publishing". www.curbmusicpublishing.com. Curb Music Publishing. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  28. Lesemann, T. Ballard. "Blue Dogs Bobby Houck and Hank Futch guide the Charleston band to second annual Homecoming at the Music Hall". Post and Courier. Evening Post Industries. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  29. Smith, Stephanie. "Blue Dogs Homecoming – 25 Years in the Making". South Carolina Music Guide. South Carolina Music Guide. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  30. "Blue Dogs Annual Homecoming Concert". academicdepartments.musc.edu. Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
  31. Foster, Liz (27 December 2017). "Blue Dogs and friends will rock the Music Farm, Music Hall over two nights". Post and Courier. The Post and Courier, Inc. Retrieved 24 January 2018.

Further reading
  • "Blue Dogs". Asheville Music Guide. 1 January 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
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