The Blue Dogs are a band formed in 1987 by Bobby Houck and Hank Futch while attending Davidson College in North Carolina. Known for their American roots sound and interactive performances, the band has become a staple in southern live entertainment.
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 on their Black River label. That album was followed by 1993's Soul Dogfood and 1995's Live at the Dock Street Theater, 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,, 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, a live release that was followed by a studio effort titled Letters From Round O,.
2001–2012
The Blue Dogs' seventh release, Live at the Florence Little Theater, was recorded in 1998 but didn't actually come out until 2002. 2004’s Halos and Good Buys, was produced by Don Gehman. In January 2005, Live at Workplay, 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. 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 was made available including guest appearances by friends and established South Carolina musicians: Blue Dogs songwriter Phillip Lammonds, Tommy Dew and Kevin Wadley from the Charleston, SC band , Danielle Howle, mandolin player Daren Shumaker, and the featuring former Blue Dogs percussionist Jesse Thrower.
2013–present
After 25 years together the Blue Dogs celebrated with a two-set performance at the 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 , Dangermuffin's , Danielle Howle, and , 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 500NASCAR 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,. Funds from their annual Music Hall shows and an additional Sunday morning "songwriter in the round" brunch directly benefit rebuilding efforts.
Members
Current
Bobby Houck – Lead vocals, Acoustic guitar, Harmonica
