West Virginia Uncovered

Gary Tannenbaum has owned the Blue Moose Caf� for as long as I can remember, and he is almost always there behind the counter or sitting at the bar when I go in to get my morning coffee.

Gary is one of those people I see every day and always assume he has always been around – a Morgantown native who opened a small business to stay in his hometown. I was wrong. He came from New Jersey to escape city life and embraced Morgantown and it’s eclectic atmosphere. He serves everyone from businessmen to tattooed mothers to hippie musicians at the Blue Moose.

He hosts open mic night at the caf� Wednesday evenings, which brings in a crowd of local musicians and fans. Gary, also known as Cracker Stackwell, is always the opening act, strumming blues melodies on his guitar and singing the old-time songs he is known to perform. I recently noticed he plays at a restaurant down the street, and I wondered if he plays outside of Morgantown. He plays at restaurants and other places throughout the state, and he has developed a following that knows him only as Cracker Stackwell.

It’s always nice to get to know someone you see every day, and I’m glad I was able to learn more about Gary’s talents – both as a musician and brewer of a mean vanilla chai.