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As Pete Kennedy of the New York City-based folk duo The Kennedys told the audience the touching story of Billy, a record store owner who influenced his musical career, an unexpected noise broke the atmosphere just before he began his song, "Ninth Street Billy."

"This is a song for your own Billy," Kennedy said to the crowd at The Kennedys' gig Friday night, as a dog began barking loudly, causing Kennedy to pause slightly, decide not to acknowledge it and dive into the song, which eventually received an extended ovation from the crowd.

For The Kennedys, who have played in traditional venues across the country, Friday night's concert in the basement of Susan and Gene Dawson's (and their dog, James') Glenmont home offered several unusual moments.

The show is part of Dawson's House Concerts, one of several series in the county that has established acts eschewing impersonal clubs for a more intimate setting, earning them decent paydays and memorable experiences.

The Kennedys played two 45-minute sets Friday night for about 40 eager folk fans who sat on couches, folding chairs and lounge chairs, sipping on their drink of choice in the Dawsons' basement.

"Everything you can sit on in the house is rounded up and put down there," Gene Dawson said during the concert's 20-minute intermission as those in attendance mingled with each other and the performers. "The next day we put it back together to make it look like a place where you can sit and watch a ballgame. It's a routine."

The first house concert the Dawsons held was a birthday party for Susan eight years ago and now they hold a house concert roughly once a month. Attendees are not charged a fee but are strongly encouraged to give donations – for Friday night the recommendation was $20 – which go directly to the artist.

A dinner table of desserts, chips and dip and a variety of other snacks is provided by Susan Dawson and attendees bring their own alcohol.

Concert-goers, hosts and artists are drawn to the intimacy of the shows, which are completely acoustic. The Dawsons said the concerts aren't loud enough to disturb the neighbors and often crickets or the jingling of their dog's collar can be heard above the music.

"It's a wonderful place to see someone close up and personal," said concert-goer Jan King of Silver Spring. "I mean, I'm watching Pete's fingers as he plays the guitar."

Playing in front of the Dawsons' piano, with wedding and family pictures in the background, the Kennedys played mostly original songs. Before nearly every song they shared a touching story about family health issues or funny stories about gigs on international tours that inspired the tunes.

The Kennedys described the "magical atmosphere" favorably when compared to traditional shows. The duo plays at established venues – like the Birchmere in Alexandria, Va., on Nov. 1 – but will occasionally play house concerts when they have openings in their schedule.

"I look forward to them because you have to play differently," said vocalist and guitarist Maura Kennedy while "backstage," in the Dawsons' basement office as Pete played a brief solo set.

Maura said the band is often paid more at house concerts because clubs generally take a percentage of the ticket revenue and even the merchandise sales. After Friday night's party, The Kennedys drove to Philadelphia where they would play another house concert.

"What's amazing is having a professional, well-respected group in your home," said Silver Spring resident Steve Levin, who had seen The Kennedys play in New York state and was excited to find out about the house concert.

A house concert violates permitting and zoning code if it is held for profit in an area not zoned for commercial use. Even if the concert is not held for profit, if money is accepted, hosts are supposed to get a benefit performance license, which is issued to nonprofit organizations holding fundraisers, said Susan Scala-Demby, a zoning manager with Montgomery County's Department of Permitting Services.

Scala-Demby said because permitting services responds to zoning issues on a complaint basis – whether from a citizen or another government agency – many illegal house concerts go unnoticed. But she said illegal concerts are prevalent and in the past six months the county has seen a spike in the number of house concerts run for profit in residential areas.

The Dawsons say they avoid permitting issues by not charging for food or alcohol and having a "recommended donation" that goes to the artists rather than a cover charge. But Scala-Demby said it's a "very thin line" between a recommended donation and a proper cover charge.

"I would take my chances in court arguing whether it's a donation or charge … the bottom line is it's the same thing," she said.

The Dawsons' concerts are part of what the couple considers a "national community" of people who hosts concerts on a donation-only basis. Information on the Dawsons' house concerts is posted at HouseConcerts.com, which lists hundreds of venues throughout the country and offers a 34-page handbook on how to hold one.

"In a big venue the performer, because of the lighting and distance of the stage, may not be able to see the audience," said Silver Spring resident Kim Kaplan in a phone interview. Kaplan held about 10 house concerts per year before stopping three years ago due to a busy schedule.

The Kennedys, as well as a number of other nationally known folk artists, played house concerts at Kaplan's home, which generally drew about 50 people, she said, even when house concerts were more scarce.

Derwood resident Scott Moore of the Moore Music (In the House) series learned of house concerts in 1997 when reporting for the Washington Post. He said the concerts were far less prevalent in the area than now, but because of the unique experience, those who attend house concerts often turn into hosts.

"People come to shows and see the level of talent you can get … and they say, ‘Wow we've got a room, we can do this,'" said Moore, who holds about five concerts per year in his basement, averaging about 45 attendees per show. "… It's more work than people think, but the payoff and enjoyment is just so big."