If you live in the Lehigh Valley, you should know about Southside Bethlehem’s Godfrey Daniels.

If not, you are missing out on an important part of the local music scene and its history.

The cover of the new book by Dave Fry, “Welcome to Godfrey Daniels” (144 pp.; $45, paperback; 2022), explains it this way: “How a small folk club became a legendary venue for musicians from around the world.”

The book is packed with photos and stories of those who have performed at the 7 E. Fourth St., Bethlehem, venue over the years.

The oversize softcover book covers each year of Godfrey’s operations. There are sidebars spotlighting various artists. 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.

An index lists performers and the years they appeared 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.

Dave Fry is familiar to the Lehigh Valley as an adult and children’s musician, or “Troubadour,” title of his 2018 CD. Fry co-founded Godfrey’s in 1976 with Cindy Dinsmore.

Fry was the first artistic director, booking performers at Godfrey’s. Dinsmore was manager and made baked goods and homemade foods sold at the front counter.

Fry explains Godfrey’s continuing appeal, which takes advantage of its moderate size (capacity is under 100):

“It presents a very intimate form of entertainment. Because of the closeness, you get to know the performers and the energy between them and the audience.

“The sharing makes it work. That makes it rare. 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.

Godfrey’s allows BYOB of beer and wine.

“The definition of folk music is broader than we usually think, beyond just bluegrass and singer-songwriters. It is the way it is presented. That’s why jazz works so well here,” Fry says.

“Even a full-tilt blues band has to open itself to the audience. You can’t just do your show. You have to be able to give some of yourself.”

Although it is associated with folk music, Godfrey’s has presented nearly every genre of music, as well as storytelling, poetry and improvisational comedy.

Known for years as Godfrey Daniels Coffee House, it now calls itself a “listening club,” better describing its function.

“Coffee house had a hippie culture connotation,” says Fry.

Godfrey’s appeal is intended to be universal and not limited to a certain type of audience.

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.

Many, if not most, venues of its type have disappeared over the years.

“We have outlasted other folk clubs, partly due to the small-town nature of Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley,” Fry says.

“Godfrey’s hasn’t been eaten up by a large metropolitan area like Philadelphia. We have been able to control our costs. Rents in Southside Bethlehem were cheap when we started.”

Although it has a small paid staff, Godfrey’s has always relied on volunteers for its operations.

“Maintaining our connection to the community is one of the basic themes throughout the book,” says Fry.

Often, the club will partner with other venues that can hold a larger audience. Over the years Godfrey’s has been associated with Martin Guitar; Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown, and Charles A. Brown IceHouse, Touchstone Theatre, Musikfest, Celtic Classic and Lehigh University, all in Bethlehem.

Godfrey’s opened March 17, 1976, taking over the site of an empty donut shop. “Godfrey Daniels!” was an expression used by W. C. Fields in his films.

Over the years, Godfrey’s has retained its original look. The pinball machine, couch, and the bench in front of the building are gone. There is now a television screen previewing upcoming events. The walls are still adorned with music instruments and pictures and posters of past concerts. The stage and sound booth are in the same location.

The sound and lighting are state-of-the-art. “We are able to record shows and play them on [public radio station] WDIY the next week. And we can give performers copies immediately, which is important for traveling artists,” Fry says.

Godfrey’s has faced challenges over the years, and still does today. Says Fry:

“We now use 60 percent of the seating capacity that we had before COVID.” As of the deadline for this article, the wearing of face masks is required by attendees.

“There is more competition for people’s entertainment dollars,” continues Fry.

“And we are trying to develop a younger audience, showing them that we are different than the Internet or the bar scene.”

At the book’s conclusion, Fry writes, “I think the Godfrey’s concept is still strong, and once a person experiences the magic of a Godfrey’s show, they come away changed.”

It’s a concept that should keep Godfrey Daniels going for a long time.

“Open House” and “Welcome to Godfrey Daniels” book signing by Dave Fry, 1 - 4 p.m. Dec. 17, Godfrey Daniels, 7 E, Fourth St., Bethlehem. https://godfreydaniels.org ; 610-867-2390

“Literary Scene” is a column about authors, books and publishing. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com