I am honored to announce my election to the Board of Directors of Godfrey Daniels. If you’re not familiar with Godfrey’s, to us locals it is the premier listening room of Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. But in reality, Godfrey’s is an internationally known non-profit music venue that hosts intimate concerts with some of the best songwriters and performers on the circuit.

2005_0702DuendeFinale0091

duende’s final show at Godfrey Daniels

Godfrey2

ART’s CD Release party for Jewels & Tinware

Although Godfrey’s is esteemed enough to attract big time artists, since its 1976 founding, Godfrey’s has remained true to another vision: encouraging aspiring regional talent and supporting our local performing arts community. I’ve personally benefitted from Godfrey’s commitment to locally grown music. My last band, duende, performed its final show at Godfrey’s – a fitting farewell. And the Alex Radus Trio released its first CD there. Both are unforgettable evenings for me.

Truth be told, my affiliation with Godfrey’s began before I even picked up a guitar. My uncle, Doug Anderson, was a founding member of the Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band, a Bethlehem, PA staple that included John Gorka, Richard Shindell and Russ Rentler. Most kids grew up hearing about the Beatles at Shea Stadium. I grew up hearing about my uncle and his friends at Godfrey Daniels.

Which goes to show that Godfrey’s is something unique – it’s local, it’s global, it’s personal, it’s generational. Godfrey’s provides us with something essential to the musical experience: the opportunity for musicians and music lovers to connect across a few feet of empty air. That connection is why we play. And it is why we listen. And you won’t get that at Shea Stadium.

I’m proud to be a part of the history and the future of Godfrey Daniels. We’re always here at 7 East 4th Street in Bethlehem, PA. Please come connect with us sometime. http://www.godfreydaniels.org