Episode 13: A Word from Our Sponsor--The Pug

It’s been months since many of us have been out and about, getting a drink at a bar or hearing live music. For me, the last time I went to a club was in early March in Washington, catching the phenomenal Poguetry tour literally days before the world shut down. I detailed this experience in my interview with Louis Michot of the Lost Bayou Ramblers, who opened up for and supported Spider Stacy and Cait O’Riordan of the Pogues on that brilliant tour. As frustrating as it’s been for the fans and musicians, as we’ve chronicled on this podcast, imagine what it’s like for the owners of these venues and smaller bars that rely on big crowds to make a living. In this episode of For Songs, we talk with Tony T, owner of the Pug, a bar on H St NE Washington. The Pug is also the sponsor of this podcast. Tony voluntarily closed the Pug in mid-March at the outset of the pandemic, assuming, like many of us, that this would be a painful few weeks, maybe two months, of shutting down in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Well, eight months later, the virus is raging out of control. What will it take for folks like Tony to hold on? And how can you help? Let Tony show you the way.