Here is the latest news from David Gans, producer and host of the Grateful Dead Hour.
Kezar 1973
I was there on 5/26/73, too. Great show.
Beatles interview 8/19/64
Amazing. An 8-minute interview with Paul and George by Hilly Rose of KCBS in San Francisco.
Nice review/feature on DG
From jezebelmusic:
Excerpt:
The lyrics are generally optimistic, somewhat somber, and all about the good advice, a bowl of chicken soup. For example, the track titles “Shove in the Right Direction†and “It’s Gonna Get Better†speak for themselves. Though the album is predominately a positive message, some songs present a sense of cynicism. “Save Us From The Saved†and “Like A Dog†deal with getting pushed around and parties who force their ideals on others. I think these days people have a hard time listening to music that attempts to instill confidence or joy. Lets face it, the world has become a jaded mess from depleting economies and faltering governments. Gans is onto something, boosting morale. It does seem to be the year for change.
Gans on the road this week!
Greetings!
Today I am hitting the road, bound for Oregon, in my brand new Honda Fit. This car is tiny on the outside, huge on the inside, gets great gas mileage and is classified as an “ultra low emissions vehicle,” and it has a working sound system. I just hope it’s not snowing in the Siskiyous, because I have no experience driving in snow.
The itinerary includes appearances at four McMenamins venues in the Portland Area, plus what promises to be a wild hippie bash in Olympia, and a reunion with my friends June and Joren Rushing at Sam Bond’s Garage in Eugene.
Later in the month I’ll be heading for the southwest. Confirmed dates right now include Moab and Salt Lake City; I am hope to add Las Vegas (March 3) and/or Flagstaff (March 4) to the trip; check the gigs page for updates. Note that the March 1 performance will be streamed online at kzmu.org starting at 7pm Mountain Time.
Rubber Souldiers – the “Beatles jam band” with Chris and Lorin Rowan and our friends – have had some really successful gigs in the Bay Area recently, and we’re making plans for more. We just got word that we’re going back to the Live Oak, Florida to play at the Suwannee SpringFest, following up on our very well-received appearance at MagnoliaFest last October. We will again be joined there by Mark van Allen on pedal steel and Wildman Steve on drums, and we’ve lined up Donna the Buffalo bassist Jay Sanders to hold down the bottom end. Other surprises are in the works.
My CD The Ones That Look the Weirdest Taste the Best is getting airplay all over the country. If you aren’t hearing it on your local AAA, Americana, or jamband station/show, please help the cause by requesting it! And of course, buying a copy. dgans.com/weirdest for lots of info, audio samples, and several ways to buy it, either all at once or individual tracks.
Lastly, thanks to all who supported the KPFA Grateful Dead marathon on KPFA January 31. We raised about $20,000 for the station and had a great time in the process. You can still contribute to KPFA at kpfa.org
Okay, nuff said, I have to pack up the Fit and git!
THE DETAILS:
Tuesday, February 10, 7-9pm: Cornelius Pass Roadhouse, 4045 NW Cornelius Passage Road, Hillsboro OR. Free! All ages. 503-640-6174
Wednesday, February 11, 8-11pm: Boon’s Treasury, 888 Liberty Street Northeast, Salem OR 97301. Free! 21+. 503-399-9062
Thursday, February 12, 7-10pm: Grand Lodge, 3505 Pacific Avenue, Forest Grove OR. Free! All ages. 503-992-9533
Friday, February 13, 9pm: Countdown to Lovefest! Pizza T & Z Kamp Express, DG, many more. Eagles Ballroom, 805 4th Avenue East, Olympia WA. 360-239-9907
Saturday, February 14, 9:30pm-12:30am: White Eagle, 836 N Russell Street, Portland OR. $7. 21+. 503-282-6810
Sunday, February 15: DG with June and Joren Rushing at Sam Bond’s Garage, 407 Blair Blvd, Eugene OR. $5.
Sunday, March 1, 7pm MST: “House” concert at KZMU in Moab, Utah. Live performance at the radio station (1734 Rocky Road, Moab) and streaming online. It’s the Kokopelli Coffee House with host Backofbeyondananda. Suggested donation $10 and some food to share.
Monday, March 2, 6:30pm: House concert in Salt Lake City. Suggested donation $10 and some food to share. Email wickenden@gmail.com for more info.
Saturday, March 7, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm: Grand Lake Farmers’ Market at Splash Pad Park (across from the Grand Lake Theater) in Oakland CA. Free! Great produce, crafts, and prepared foods.
Saturday, March 14, 3-5pm: Saturday Casual & Cozy winter time Music Series at Iron Springs Pub and Brewery, 765 Center Blvd., Fairfax, CA. No cover!
March 26-29: Suwannee SpringFest, at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak FL (just across the Georgia line). DG plays solo and with Rubber Souldiers! Plus Donna the Buffalo, Emmitt Nershi Band, The Duhks, The Lee Boys, Darrell Scott, Darol Anger & Mike Marshall with Väsen, Blueground Undergrass, Dread Clampitt, more TBA.
“Open Letter to Big Time Rock Stars”
John Kelly posted this on his blog and also on the Grateful Dead Hour mailing list. I repost it here with his permission.
Dear Phish, Bruuuuuuuce, what’s left of the Dead, et al.:
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In the last month, you have all announced that you’re graciously going to come to town or somewhere within driving distance of my town to collect my money in return for smooshing me into a crowd of tens of thousands of people, with pretty good odds that the ones sitting near me will talk through the entire show. I will also have the opportunity to pay $10 or so to park, to pay something north of six bucks for a glass of beer-colored swill, and it wouldn’t shock me to find pay toilets. I must respectfully send my regrets.
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I know you have a marketable product. Many of my friends are attending one or more of your concerts. In the case of Bruuuuuuuce, you could make the argument that I don’t know what I’m missing. I’m sure the Boss will put on a truly spiffnificent show. But you know what? The last time I was in Hersheypark for a mega-concert was the Rolling Stones. Between the chick next to me singing at the top of her lungs and the jackass behind me spilling five bucks worth of Bud Light on us, “This may be the last time, I don’t know” took on a new and deeper meaning.
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Apparently you guys haven’t set your price points too high yet, although I relish the thought of scalpers standing outside your venues whining with a fistful of unsold tickets. You have, however, made it easier for me to resolve to find musical entertainment alternatives. I will make it a point to go hear more local or regional artists. I will purchase music directly from them, knowing my contribution will go directly into their pocket. Most importantly, when it comes to making music, I’m reminded of one of my favorite movie quotes: “**** you, Jobu, I do it myself.”
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JK