PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CRAVIN’ DOGS – PREASH RECORDS
1616 Trap Road
Vienna, Virginia 22182
703-798-DOGS
Cravin’ Dogs to Celebrate 40th Anniversary
At Historic Hank Dietle’s Tavern in Rockville, Md.
April 10, 2026 – Progressive Americana quintet Cravin’ Dogs, one of the longest tenured bands in the D.C. area, is pleased to announce upcoming 40th anniversary celebration on Friday, May 15th with a show at Hank Dietle’s Tavern in Rockville, Maryland. The show will begin at 9:00 P.M.
Cravin’ Dogs emerged in 1986 from the District’s folk-music scene, which also spawned such artists as Mary Chapin Carpenter and the Kennedys. By 1989, the band had morphed from an acoustic trio to a rock’n’roll quartet, and in 1991 released its self-titled debut CD. Since then, the Dogs have released nine additional full-length albums of original material, including a live album recorded at the Black Cat, and a compilation of previously unreleased songs. Over the years, Cravin’ Dogs has toured regionally and shared the stage with such national acts as Chuck Berry, the Dave Matthews Band, Styx, Cake, Aquarium Rescue Unit, and Gillian Welch. The Dogs are currently mixing songs for their upcoming 11th record, to be titled “Invisible Fence.”
Cravin’ Dogs consists of original members Caldwell Gray (lead vocals, guitar and keyboards) and Tom Helf (drums), together with long-time members John Penovich (lead guitar), Todd Baker (electric violin) and Arch Alcantara (bass). All band members have extensive ties to the D.C. metro-area music community. Aside from their involvement with Cravin’ Dogs, the band’s members perform with such other local outfits as The Jelly Roll Mortals, The Yachtsmen, The Allman Others Ban, and The HalfSmokes, and all are frequent participants in the Bandhouse Gigs and Newmyer Flyer tribute concert series.
For more information or press inquiries, contact Caldwell Gray– cravindogs@gmail.com; (703) 798-DOGS.
BIO
Cravin’ Dogs is an all-original, eclectic, roots-rock quintet that has played over 1000 shows, and released ten full-length albums, one EP, and two compilation retrospectives. In addition to headlining at local DC-area venues like Pearl Street Warehouse and The Barns of Wolf Trap, the Dogs have opened for Chuck Berry, Dave Matthews Band, Styx, and lots of other national acts. Cravin’ Dogs is currently recording new material for its 11th full-length album, Invisible Fence, due out in 2026.
Cravin’ Dogs is: Arch Alcantara – Bass & Vocals; Todd Baker – Violin & Vocals; Caldwell Gray – Guitar, Piano & Vocals; Tom Helf – Drums & Vocals; John Penovich – Guitar & Vocals
Website: http://cravindogs.com
Cravin’ Dogs on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/54syq4c5C3sq9UbaStZGVA?si=dlWHlRt4TVSfPI2Hp67Z7Q
Press: https://washingtonlife.com/2011/03/24/music-notes-craving-more-cravin-dogs/
Videos: http://cravindogs.com/?page_id=849
