A weekly audio postcard from the wide musical world of America’s best-loved band!
David Gans In many cases, it’s a much more pleasant situation for both performer and audience. House concerts provide an intimate setting in which the music is the main event and beer sales aren’t the main determinant of success. A performer like me who doesn’t draw big crowds too often (“That’s months away,” as Martin Mull once … Read more
This is a post I made on the loopers-delight mailing list, in a discussion about whether it’s a good idea to play for free and related matters: My wife is a schoolteacher. Talk about a profession that is undervalued in this society! (But she’s got a great health plan, which means we’re not on the … Read more
Gene Shalit: How do you play at that frantic volume and sustain any kind of rational mind? Jerry Garcia: It’s like a dog hanging its head out a car window. Shalit: You love it. Garcia: Yeah. – The Today Show (NBC-TV) 3/21/1981
I just got a message from Gary Lambert: Just had to file this li’l halftime report… Joining RatDog on “Catfish John” and “West L.A. Fadeaway:” BILL KIRCHEN!! If you don’t know who Bill Kirchen is, familiarize yourself! He is a master of “dieselbilly” guitar. Here’s a photo of Bill playing in the KPFA performance studio … Read more
From the Grateful Dead Hour mailing list, posted here with the permission of the poster, Darren Mason: Why do I think $10/CD is a good price? I have a number of reasons, in no particular order: 1. For almost all of the 30 years while the band was touring, they were the poster-child of generosity … Read more
One More Saturday Night Cold Rain and Snow We Can Run Stagger Lee Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again Row Jimmy Let It Grow – Grateful Dead 8/5/89 Cal Expo, Sacramento CA Animal – Jackie Greene, Giving Up the Ghost Phone interview with Bradley Angel of GreenAction re benefit Saturday 4/12 at … Read more
From John Metzger’s online magazine The Music Box: Last year, Music Box correspondent Douglas Heselgrave sat down with Ratdog‘s Mark Karan to talk about the guitarist’s unique role within the band. A few months later, Karan was forced to withdraw from the road in order to seek treatment for throat cancer. Following up on their … Read more
Last summer I had the privilege of recording with a phenomenal bassist, Lindsey Horner. (The tracks will appear on my CD tentatively titled The Ones that Look the Weirdest Taste the Best, produced by Tim Carbone; I hope to get it out in time for the summer festivals). Lindsey gave me a copy of a … Read more
Mickey Hart Band Featuring Steve Kimock & George Porter Jr. Confirm Summer Run! Grateful Dead drummer and percussionist Mickey Hart will launch a 20 city tour this summer including appearances at many of the nation’s premiere festivals. The outing comes on the heels of the Shout! Factory releases of The Mickey Hart Collection out this … Read more
From: Dan McGonagle Subject: Grateful Dead Night – Tuesday 4-15-08 w/GD lyricist John Perry Barlow, Stu & Pat, & Betty Cantor-Jackson – 12 Galaxies – SF, CA “Dead & Taxes” That’s what we’re calling our Grateful Dead Night event, folks. So come on over and share your US Tax Payer Blues with friends and family … Read more