Is Dave really that old, that he could drink at Gerde's in 1961? Seems so, as his description is on target. I was there a few times in the late 50s, downtown to see forgettable folk performers while I waited for Birdland to percolate after midnight midtown.

One weekend a couple of us went up from Charlottesville as a claque supporting local folklorist and performer Paul Clayton, years later a Bob Dylan mentor.

Not a good night, not for Gerde's, not for Paul. Only 6 to 8 people there, and Paul was far from the top of his form. When my memory of the night was better, I told Clayton biographers Bob Coltman and Rico Cleffi about that trip, and the story is in Coltman's 2008 book "Paul Clayton and the Folksong Revival" available on Amazon and at B&N. Bob's index shows 8 references to Gerde's.

(Electronic mail, December 10, 2013)