Dead Beat

Furthur Announces Last 3 Shows of Fall Tour

2010-08-06T10:51:00.000-07:00

November 19th:
DCU Center - Worcester, MA

November 20th and 21st:
Madison Square Garden, NYC

Plus, Just Announced:
November 12th and 13th:
UIC Pavillion - Chicago, IL

They Say It's Your Birthday!

2010-08-01T10:40:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JERRY!

YOU CONTINUE TO INSPIRE US EVERY DAY WITH YOUR MUSIC!

Rhythm Devils Live @ Gathering of the Vibes, Bridgeport, CT 7-31-2010

2010-07-31T10:46:00.000-07:00

Set 1:

COLD RAIN AND SNOW >

UNCLE JOHN’S BAND

STRANGE WORLD

WRECKING CREW

THIS ONE HOUR

SO MANY ROADS

FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN >

BO DIDDLEY

Set 2:

COMES THE DAWN

VOODOO ZOMBIES

SEE YOU AGAIN

E: DRUMZ (THE CENTER) *

Furthur Live @ Gathering of the Vibes, Bridgeport, CT 7-30-10

2010-07-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

Set 1: The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion)
Jack Straw, Ramble On Rose
Dupree's Diamond Blues, Friend of The Devil
Estimated Prophet> Eyes of The World>
Not Fade Away

Set 2: Playing In The Band
Althea, Wharf Rat> He's Gone>
Scarlet Begonias> The Wheel>
Standing On The Moon
Help On The Way> Slipknot!>
Franklin's Tower

E: Terrapin Station Suite

*Festival review coming soon!

Furthur Live @ Nokia Theatre Times Square, New York, NY 7-29

2010-07-29T10:25:00.000-07:00

Set 1: Dancin' In The Streets>
Celebration> Alligator> Tennessee Jed
Reuben And Cherise> Money For Gasoline
Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo>
Let It Grow

Set 2: So Many Roads
Seven Hills Of Gold> Dear Mr Fantasy>
Dark Star (1st verse)> Unbroken Chain>
The Other One> The Eleven>
Death Don't Have No Mercy>
Dark Star (2nd verse)>
Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad>
And We Bid You Goodnight

E: Touch Of Grey

Furthur Live @ Nokia Theatre Times Square, New York, NY 7-28

2010-07-28T10:22:00.000-07:00

Set 1: Shakedown Street>
Brown-Eyed Women
El Paso> Dire Wolf
Row Jimmy, I Need A Miracle>
Bertha> Good Lovin'

Set 2: The Music Never Stopped>
Colors Of The Rain> Cassidy
Cold Rain & Snow, Bartering Lines>
St Stephen> Born Cross-Eyed>
Stella Blue, I Know You Rider

E: Uncle John's Band

Furthur Live @ The Mann Center For The Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA 7-11-2010

2010-07-12T20:13:00.000-07:00

Set list

Set 1: Feel Like A Stranger
Shakedown Street> Alligator
Money For Gasoline, Magnolia Mountain
Lost Sailor> Saint Of Circumstance
In The Midnight Hour

Set 2: Mountains Of The Moon>
St. Stephen, Blues For Allah
Terrapin Station Suite, Let It Grow
Morning Dew, Unbroken Chain>
The Wheel, Not Fade Away

E: Brokedown Palace

Furthur Live @ The Mann Center For The Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA 7-10-2010

2010-07-11T20:11:00.000-07:00

Set list

Set 1: Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion)>
Here Comes Sunshine, Jack Straw>
Muli Guli> Dear Mr. Fantasy
Corrina, Satisfaction>
Viola Lee Blues

Set 2: Playing In The Band> Althea
Cassidy, China Cat Sunflower>
I Know You Rider, Eyes Of The World>
Days Between> Help On The Way>
Slipknot!> Franklin's Tower

E: One More Saturday Night

Furthur Live @ All Good Music Festival, Masontown, WV 7-9-10

2010-07-10T20:08:00.000-07:00

Set list

Set 1: After Midnight> Estimated Prophet>
Just A Little Light, Tennessee Jed
It Must Have Been The Roses
Looks Like Rain, Brown Eyed Women
Big Railroad Blues

Set 2: Uncle John's Band, Celebration>
Sugar Magnolia> So Many Roads
Colors Of The Rain> Terrapin Station
Scarlet Begonias> Fire On The Mountain
Attics Of My Life, Sunshine Daydream

E: Cumberland Blues, Ripple

Furthur Live @ Artpark, Lewiston, NY 7-8-10

2010-07-10T05:43:00.000-07:00

Set list

Set 1: Sittin' On Top Of The World
Operator, Crazy Fingers>
West L.A. Fadeaway
They Love Each Other, Big River
Women Are Smarter, Bird Song

Set 2: Ashes & Glass, Cosmic Charlie
Doin' That Rag, Hard To Handle>
Deal, Dear Prudence
Cryptical Envelopment> Dark Star>
The Other One> King Solomon's Marbles>
Mason's Children

E: Johnny B. Goode

So Many Roads: Celebrating the anniversary of the last GD concert

2010-07-09T14:48:00.000-07:00

The Grateful Dead performed their final show today, July 9, 1995, at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. This performance is certainly one for the ages. It is almost as if Jerry knew this was it.

San Francisco Giants to hold Jerry Day!

2010-07-08T16:37:00.000-07:00

Come to the ballpark to celebrate the life and times of legendary musician and San Francisco Native Jerry Garcia! Garcia was born in San Francisco in 1942, and grew up in the city’s Excelsior District, before becoming a founding member of the iconic rock band The Grateful Dead. This event at the ballpark concludes a week long celebration of Jerry’s life, starting with “Jerry Day” at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park on August 1st. Your special event ticket package includes a seat in the Jerry Garcia tribute section for the August 9th game against the Cubs, and a limited-edition Jerry Garcia bobblehead. Grateful Dead tribute bands will perform prior to the game, and members of the Garcia family will be on hand to throw out the first pitch. Ticket proceeds will be donated to the Rex Foundation; a Grateful Dead founded charity promoting good in the community. Come support a great cause and celebrate the life of a San Francisco legend!

Furthur Live @ Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 7-7-2010

2010-07-08T14:55:00.000-07:00

Set list

Set 1: Alabama Getaway

Don't Ease Me In, Mama Tried

Dire Wolf, Hell In A Bucket

Bertha, Truckin'>

Smokestack Lightning>

Casey Jones, I Need A Miracle>

Help On The Way>

Caution (Do Not Step On Tracks)>

New Speedway Boogie> Wharf Rat>

I Fought The Law> Liberty

E: On The Road Again>

Touch Of Grey

Furthur Live @ Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg, PA 7-5-2010

2010-07-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

Set list

Set 1: Scarlet Begonias> Shakedown Street>
Promised Land, Candyman
Playin' In The Band> The Eleven>
Colors Of The Rain> Playin' In The Band>
Throwing Stones

Set 2: China Doll> Fire On The Mountain>
The Other One> Time> Breathe Reprise>
Death Don't Have No Mercy, Unbroken Chain
The Music Never Stopped>
China Cat Sunflower>
I Know You Rider

E: Box Of Rain

Furthur Live @ Nateva Music Festival, Oxford, Maine 7-4-2010

2010-07-07T19:43:00.000-07:00

Set list:

Set 1: Celebration> Samson and Delilah>
Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo>
Cold Rain and Snow> Ramble On Rose>
When I Paint My Masterpiece>
Cumberland Blues, Casey Jones

Set 2: St. Stephen, Jack Straw
Dear Mr. Fantasy> Eyes Of The World>
Days Between> Help On The Way>
Slipknot!>Franklin's Tower
Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad
And We Bid You Goodnight

E: U.S. Blues

Furthur Live @ Galeston Castle Estate, Mohawk, NY 7-3-2010

2010-07-04T15:28:00.000-07:00

Set list

Set 1: The Golden Road To Unlimited Devotion>
Born Cross-Eyed> Alligator> Truckin'>
Feelin' Alright, New Potato Caboose>
Cream Puff War> Viola Lee Blues

Set 2: Sage And Spirit>
*Seven Hills Of Gold> Althea
Magnolia Mountain> Sugar Magnolia>
No More Do I> Dark Star>
Terrapin Station Suite>
Stella Blue> Uncle John's Band

E: One More Saturday Night>
Sunshine Daydream

*1st Time Played, New Bobby Song

~Show review coming soon!

Furthur Live @ Colombus, OH 7-2-2010

2010-07-04T07:32:00.000-07:00

Set list

Set 1: After Midnight>
Hell In A Bucket, Loser>
Brown-Eyed Women, Liberty
Just Like Tom Thumb Blues
Comes A Time> In The Midnight Hour

Set 2: Scarlet Begonias> Two Djinn
Wharf Rat> Shakedown Street>
King Solomon's Marbles>
Let it Grow
Standing On The Moon
Not Fade Away

E: Touch of Grey

Furthur Live @ LeLacheur Park, Lowell, MA 6-30-2010

2010-07-04T07:29:00.000-07:00

Set list

Set 1: Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo
Friend Of The Devil, Tennessee Jed
Deal, Bertha, All New Minglewood Blues
Doin' That Rag, Sugaree

Set 2: Chinacat Sunflower>
*Colors of the Rain> Slipknot!>
The Other One> The Eleven>
Fire On The Mountain> The Wheel>
So Many Roads> Playing in the Band
I Know You Rider

E: Ripple

*1st Time Played, new Phil song

Furthur Live @ Penn's Peak, Jim Thorpe, PA 6-29-10

2010-07-01T06:57:00.000-07:00

Set list

Set 1: Jam> Greatest Story Ever Told>
Promised Land, Reuben and Cerise>
Pride of Cucamonga, Cassidy
Dupree's Diamond Blues, Easy Wind
New Speedway Boogie

Set 2: Lost Sailor>
Saint of Circumstance, He's Gone
Passenger> Dancin in the Streets>
Estimated Prophet> Black Peter
Gimme Some Lovin'
Turn On Your Lovelight

E: Revolution

Furthur Live @ MCU Park, Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY 6-27-10

2010-06-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

Set list

Set 1: Golden Road To Unlimited Devotion>
Good Lovin', The Music Never Stopped
Sugar Magnolia> Dear Mr. Fantasy>
Scarlet Begonias> Magnolia Mountain>
Uncle John's Band

Set 2: Unbroken Chain, Let It Grow
Fire On the Mountain> The Other One>
Cryptical Envelopment> Blues For Allah
Morning Dew, Eyes Of The World
Help On The Way> Slipknot!>
Franklin's Tower

E: Box Of Rain
!! Fireworks !!

Furthur Live @ MCU Park, Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY 6-26-10

2010-06-27T05:59:00.000-07:00

Set list

Set 1: China Cat Sunflower>
I Know You Rider, Black Throated Wind
Muly Guly, High Time, Loose Lucy>
Throwing Stones> One More Saturday Night

Set 2: Shakedown Street>
Caution (Do Not Step On Tracks)>
Jack Straw> Playin' In The Band>
Dark Star (v1)> St. Stephen> The Eleven>
*Dark Star (v2)> *Terrapin Station Suite

E: Brokedown Palace
!! Fireworks !!

*with Kenny Brooks on saxophone

Furthur Live @ Highland Bowl Amphitheatre, Rochester, NY 6-25-10

2010-06-26T05:56:00.000-07:00

Set list

Set 1: Not Fade Away> Here Comes Sunshine>
Feel Like A Stranger> King Solomon's Marbles
Truckin'> Feelin' Alright>
Strawberry Fields Forever, Cosmic Charlie

Set 2: Viola Lee Blues (v1)>
Bertha> Viola Lee Blues (v2)>
Cumberland Blues> Viola Lee Blues (v3)>
Born Cross-Eyed> New Potato Caboose>
Time> Breathe> Death Don't Have No Mercy>
The Wheel> Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad>
And We Bid You Goodnight> Attics Of My Life

E: Not Fade Away

Happy Birthday Hunter!

2010-06-23T18:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Robert Hunter!

"Let my inspiration flow
in token lines suggesting rhythm
that will not forsake me
till my tale is told and done"

In honor of the legendary Grateful Dead lyricist's birthday, put on your favorite Hunter song and dance like you're at a show.

Check back soon to read a review of Jim Lauderdale's new album, “Patchwork River”, featuring lyrics by none other than Robert Hunter!

Furthur announces September tour dates

2010-06-22T07:08:00.000-07:00

Furthur has announced nine tour dates in September. The mini-tour will kick off in Eugene, OR on Sept. 16 and end at the renowned Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, CO on Sept. 26.

Furthur September Dates

September 16 Eugene, OR Cuthbert Amphitheater
September 17 Eugene, OR Cuthbert Amphitheater
September 18 Redmond, WA Marymoor Amphitheater
September 20 Santa Barbara, CA Santa Barbara County Bowl
September 21 Los Angeles, CA The Greek Theater
September 22 Las Vegas, NV The Joint
September 24 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheater
September 25 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheater
September 26 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheater

For more information and ticket details, visit www.furthur.net/

Jeff Mattson joins Dark Star full-time

2010-06-21T06:53:00.000-07:00

The popular Grateful Dead tribute band, Dark Star Orchestra, announced today that Jeff Mattson will be performing the Jerry Garcia role in the band full-time. Mattson had replaced John Kadlecik in the role after the former guitarist left the band to join Furthur in 2009.

The band's announcement reads as follows:

“After months of touring and playing with Jeff, we have decided to offer him the full time gig, which he has gratefully accepted. Jeff has blown us away with his energy, licks, and presence on stage. He is a great guy, an inspiring musician and so much fun to perform with, we cannot wait to get back out there and mix it up with him once again. We are having more fun than ever and are looking forward to seeing you all at the upcoming shows."

Jeff Mattson (guitar, vocals) is a founding member of the legendary jam band, The Zen Tricksters. A master guitarist playing styles that range from rock & roll to blues, bluegrass to country, jazz to folk, Mattson has been performing for more than 30 years. Aside from his work with Dark Star and The Zen Tricksters, Mattson has also been a member of the Donna Jean Godchaux Band and Phil Lesh and Friends. Mattson will now lend high-energy guitar playing with heart-wrenching vocals to become what is certain to be a crucial presence in Dark Star Orchestra for the foreseeable future.

Congratulations Jeff! No offense to John who is great, but I always thought Jeff would be more suitable for the Jerry role. Can't wait to see the new Dark Star in person at Vibes!

Rhythm Devils announce July tour

2010-06-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

While Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Phil Lesh joined forces this past year to form the band Furthur, the percussion duo of the legendary jam band, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, will also join forces to tour with their band, Rhythm Devils. The 2010 version includes Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, Keller Williams (guitar, vocals), Davy Knowles (guitar, vocals), Sikiru Adepoju (talking drum), and Andy Hess (bass). The 10 show tour that takes place in July, will kick off at the Arcata Theatre in Arcata, California and will conclude on Saturday night at the Gathering of the Vibes Music Festival in Bridgeport, CT. For a full list of concert dates, see below:

July 16 - Arcata Theatre - Arcata, CA
July 17 - String Summit @ Horning's Hideout - North Plains, OR
July 18 - Britt Pavilion - Jacksonville, OR
July 22 - Ogden Theatre - Denver, CO
July 24 - Spud Drive In - Driggs, ID
July 25 - Red Butte Garden - Salt Lake City, UT
July 27 - Orpheum Theater - Flagstaff, AZ
July 28 - Rialto Theatre - Tucscon, AZ
July 29 - Soundwave - San Diego, CA
July 31 - Gathering of the Vibes Festival - Bridgeport, CT

Visit Rhythmdevils.net for updates.

Fan Club tickets for Friends of the Devils are on sale here: rhythmdevils.frontgatetickets.com.

Vibes 2010 Artist Schedule Announced

2010-06-14T17:36:00.000-07:00

Review: 7 Walkers @ Revolution Hall, Troy, NY 5-27-10

2010-06-05T21:15:00.000-07:00

It's the last show ever at Revolution Hall in Troy, NY, and what a way to end the venue's seven year run with a performance by legendary Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann's new band, 7 Walkers.

It seems like any other night in the popular venue that has played host to some of the most diverse musical lineups in the Capital Region in recent years. That is until word of the venue's closing in order to turn the two-level concert space into a banquet hall becomes a harsh truth to those of us who were not sure what to think of the rumor earlier in the night. But if you are going to close a venue, who better to have than a member of the Grateful Dead, a band that had closed down some of music's most legendary concert halls including the Fillmore and Winterland, on hand to supply the patrons with a memorable last show.

Heads slowly roll in as The McLovins, a trio of teenage virtuosos, close their show with a high-energy performance of the Grateful Dead's legendary Disco tune, Shakedown Street. It's hard to believe as the kids exit the stage that they hardly old enough to drive a car but can rock out harder than most band's that have been doing it for decades.

The beer flows like a BP oil spill, dumping into my stomach and polluting my brain as I wait for the band to take the stage. Before I know it they are finishing off their opening jam and launching into the Pig Pen psychedelic-blues classic"Mister Charlie," before fading into the beautiful, yet tormented, Garcia/Hunter song, "Wharf Rat."

"Half of my life / I spent doin' time for some other fucker's crime / Other half found me stumbling around
drunk on burgundy wine." The small crowd roars!

The remainder of the first set is made up of traditional blues jams, including a self-titled song off the band's soon to be released album, featuring new lyrics by legendary Dead-lyricist Robert Hunter. With such a great mixture of eclectic tunes, the highlight of the first set, and the night for that matter, was Papa Mali's jazzed-up rendition of "Death Don't Have No Mercy." The song, which helped solidify the Dead as a musical force in the 1960s, was transformed into a jazz-number on this night, complete with a trombone solo by keyboardist Matt Hubbard.

After a quick "smoke" break, we head back inside to a second set that is another great mix of Louisiana blues with songs like "New Orleans Crawl," including another original, "Angelina" - a slow ballad in classic Hunter form. The remainder of the set consisted of high-energy Dead classics - "The Deal" "Sugaree" "Bertha" - including the Pig Pen famed rant "Turn on Your Love Light."

My body is weary as the band exits the stage only to return and perform one of the Dead's best dance numbers "Going Down the Road feeling Bad." The first encore was not satisfactory enough for the Heads who knew this would most likely not be the last time they would see the 7 Walkers, but knew it would be their final show at Rev Hall. The band trickled back on stage to the excitement of the rambunctious crowd, closing with "Gone to the Dog" before saying good-bye to the venue with "We Bid You Good Night" - a song the Dead would perform on nights when they were too tired to play anymore, which was good because I was too tired to move another bone.

"Lay down my dear brothers, lay down and take your rest / Oh won't you lay your head upon your savior's breast / I love you, oh but Jesus loves you the best / And I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight"

Goodnight Rev Hall! Thanks for all the good times!

Set list:

Set 1
Jam
Mr. Charlie
Wharf Rat
Junco Partner
Death Don’t Have No Mercy
7 Walkers
I Know You Rider
Bottle Up and Go

Set 2
Honey child
New Orleans Crawl
The Deal
Angelina
Sugaree
Bertha
Turn on Your Lovelight

Encore 1
Going Down The Road Feeling Bad

Encore 2
Gone to the Dog
We Bid You Goodnight

Furthur Live Rehearsal Session @ Palm Ballroom, San Rafael, CA 6-3-2010

2010-06-04T06:08:00.000-07:00

Set list

Jam> Help On The Way> Slipknot>
The Golden Road To Unlimited Devotion
Cassidy, It Must Have Been The Roses
Maggie’s Farm, Peaceful Valley>
Welcome To The Dance>
Terrapin Suite (Complete)>
The Other One>
Franklin’s Tower
E: Money For Gasoline

with Sunshine Garcia Becker and Jeff Pehrson on vocals

Furthur Live Rehearsal Session @ Palm Ballroom, San Rafael, CA 6-2-2010

2010-06-03T06:06:00.000-07:00

Set list

Picasso Moon> Brown-Eyed Women
Lazy River Road
Magnolia Mountain
El Paso, Muli Guli
Tons Of Steel
No More Do I, Two Djinn
Come Together
China Cat Sunflower>
I Know You Rider

with Sunshine Garcia Becker and Jeff Pehrson on vocals

Furthur Live Rehearsal Session @ Palm Ballroom, San Rafael, CA 6-1-2010

2010-06-02T06:03:00.000-07:00

Set list

Hell In A Bucket> Cold Rain And Snow>
Mason's Children> Just A Little Light
Ashes And Glass> Ramble On Rose
Here Comes Sunshine>
He's Gone> Corrina
Tennessee Jed>
Touch Of Grey
And We Bid You Goodnight

with Sunshine Garcia Becker and Jeff Pehrson on vocals

Grateful Dead Channel host, Gary Lambert, to moderte Grateful Dead discussion in NYC

2010-05-20T10:39:00.000-07:00

Gary Lambert, host of Sirius/XM Grateful Dead Channel, will host a discussion on the Grateful Dead as part of the band's exhibition at the New York Historical Society. The event titled "Tales of the Grateful Dead and New York," will tale place on Thursday, May 27 from 6:30-8 p.m. at New York's Society for Ethical Culture. Lambert will act as a moderator for the discussion, which will also feature radio personality Pete Fornatale, author Carol Brightman and writer/Patti Smith Group guitarist Lenny Kaye.

“The folks who put together the exhibition at the Historical Society asked me if I wanted to moderate a public program, which they put on frequently in conjunction with their exhibitions (as well as their freestanding events that are not connected to their exhibitions), on relevant matters to the Society’s mission of presenting New York history,” Lambert said in a statement. “So, I thought it would be really great to do something specific to the Dead and New York because their relationship to the city was so enduring and so important to them in terms of establishing a beachhead in the Northeast. Very early on there was a conscious strategy, which [former GD road manager] Sam Cutler mentioned in his recent book You Can’t Always get What You Want, of playing New York a lot as an anchor for all other dates they could do in the region, and the band developed a great mutual affection for the town and the fan base there. And it also occurred to me that although the Grateful Dead was uniquely a product of a certain time and place—the Bay Area in the ’60s—so much of what they did was informed by cultural forces that either originated or found their fullest expression in New York: a lot of the jazz and other avant-garde music that they chose to emulate, for example; and of course the Beat movement started in New York and migrated out west and that had a crucial impact on what those guys became. So I thought it would be great to get a bunch of smart people together and talk about that specific aspect of the Dead’s history and how and why the city took to them as it did.”

Furthur to headline Friday night at Vibes!

2010-05-15T11:10:00.000-07:00

After months of anticipation over whether Furthur would be performing at the 15th annual Gathering of the Vibes Music Festival in July, promoters announced earlier today that the band will in fact be headlining Friday night!

Correct me if I am wrong, but I just realized that since Furthur and the Rhythm Devils are both at Vibes this year that means it will mark the first year all four remaining members of the Grateful Dead were present at the family-friendly festival since its incarnation following Jerry Garcia's death.

This is certainly going to be a Vibes to remember. Hope to see you all there!

For more inforation, visit www.gatheringofthevibes.com

Dead-family members to perform benefit concert for the Haight Ashbury Free Clinics

2010-05-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of benefit concerts played by psychedelic San Francisco bands since the mid-60s, a number of musicians, including some who were integral in the original San Francisco scene, will join together to play a benefit concert for the Haigh Ashbury Free Clinics next month. The event which is billed as "a rock concert worthy of their strong musical heritage that would make their founding benefactor Bill Graham proud," will feature Moonalice, Eoin Harrington and orginal Country Joe & The Fish guitarist Barry "The Fish" Melton, including a number of addtional speical guests. The event will take place at San Francisco's Great American Music Hall on June 17.

For more information, visit http://www.hafci.org/

Who will be the GOTV Friday Night 'Family' Headliner?

2010-05-04T14:52:00.000-07:00

The 2010 Gathering of the Vibes Music Festival (July 29-Aug. 1) lineup is almost complete. One thing is missing: a Friday night "family" headliner.

GOTV will release the highly anticipated lineup addition on Saturday, May 15 at Noon. So who will be the "family" headliner for Friday night? Well, it has been hard to find any substantial rumors, but the obvious hope for all Vibe Tribers has to be Bob Weir and Phil Lesh's new band, Furthur. And it just so has it, Furthur added two new shows at the Nokia Theatre in New York City's Times Square for Wednesday, July 28 and Thursday, July 29, which would put them just a short bus ride from Bridgeport, CT - home of GOTV - for Friday, July 30. The only thing that concerns me is that Furthur announces all of their new show additions on Friday's and the announcement of the final headliner is scheduled for Saturday. But maybe I am just looking to deep into it.

My initial take was that if Furthur wasn't on the original lineup, than they weren't going to be added. But the more I look at the Furthur schedule, and the fact that Bobby or Phil have attended every Vibes over the past 14 years, leads me to believe it could happen.

What do you think. Will Furthur be the Friday night headliner at Vibes? And if not, who will it be?

Poll: Gathering of the Vibes named best value festival by Dead Beat readers

2010-04-28T11:04:00.000-07:00

After a month long poll asking readers to choose one out of five festivals they would like to attend this summer considering the economic climate, Dead Beat readers have spoken, naming Grateful Dead themed Gathering of the Vibes (GOTV) as their top festival choice this summer.

Of the 29 Heads who cast votes in the poll, 10 (34 percent) chose GOTV as the festival they would most like to attend. The festival, which is celebrating its 15th Anniversary in 2010, is held at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, CT and features an array of new, jam band favorites, old school giants, unique musical collaborations, car-camping, craft vending, an on-site art gallery, kids activities, beaches and other engaging entertainment. Over the years, the festival has featured such high-profile acts as Bob Weir and Ratdog, Phil Lesh and Friends, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Les Claypool, Keller Williams, Donna Jean & the Tricksters and Dark Star Orchestra. This years line-up includes Damian Marley & Nas, Primus, Jimmy Cliff, Rhythm Devils featuring Keller Williams, Umphrey's McGee, Galactic, Jackie Greene, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Steve Kimock Crazy Engine, Dark Star Orchestra, Little Feat, The Radiators, Martin Sexton & Ryan Montbleau Band, Mix Master Mike, Deep Banana Blackout, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Assembly of Dust, Max Creek, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Zach Deputy, Harlem Gospel Choir, King For A Day, Donna Jean Godchaux, and many more TBA!

Of the remaining four festivals listed on the poll, All Good ranked second with 9 votes (31 percent), the first ever Nateva Festival finished third with 6 votes (20 percent), and Bonnaroo and Mountain Jam tied for last with two votes (6 percent) each.

While there are a number of other great festivals this summer, I chose these five festivals due to their popularity, superior line-ups and close proximity to the Northeast. I have also had the pleasure of attending each one of these festivals, except Nateva that is in its first year, and I believe the readers got it right! While GOTV has been held at a number of locations over the years, Seaside Park is a great getaway, making it feel more like a vacation than a festival with its beaches and urban setting. The line-up is still coming together, but you won't be disappointed if you make the trip to Seaside Park, July 29 - Aug. 1.

Thanks to everyone who participated. I look forward to getting your feedback on many other Dead-related issues in the near future. Thanks for reading along.

Furthur to reinterpret six Grateful Dead albums at Furthur Festival @ Mountain Aire

2010-04-26T21:25:00.000-07:00

When Furthur first announced its intentions to hold a festival at Mountain Aire in Angels Camp, CA, there were little details released about the three-day event. Since then the band has unveiled a number of artist additions, launched a Web site soely for the festival and announced the band's intentions to perform six of the Grateful Dead's legendary albums.

On Saturday, the band will revisit American Beauty (Set I), Workingman’s Dead (Set II) and Anthem of the Sun (Set III). On Sunday, Furthur will reinterpret Blues for Allah (Set I), Aoxomoxoa (Set II) and Terrapin Station (Set III).

Furthur will also offer a public sound check on Friday night and members “will be jamming on several stages with some of their friends," not to mention lots of side trips like a spoken word stage that will feature some of our Grateful Dead family members and a trove of iconic Grateful Dead memorabilia, rare instruments and sound recordings.

Other Furthur Festival artists include: Electric Hot Tuna, Galactic, RatDog’s Mark Karan & Jemimah Puddleduck, The Mother Hips, Honeymoon, Carney, Maiden Lane, Blue Light River, The Waybacks and Common Rotation with Dan Bern, Jackie Greene, Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams will also perform with their solo bands.

For more information, visit Furthur Festival

Crimson, White & Indigo coming to a theatre near you

2010-04-02T13:21:00.000-07:00

More than 20 years after the Grateful Dead performed one of its legendary concerts in front of 95,000 Heads at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, the band is celebrating the release of, Crimson, White & Indigo: Philadelphia, July 7, 1989, by showing the entire full-length concert at theatre's across the country.

Full list of locations and show dates listed below:

Philadelphia, PA
Ambler Theater
4/13/10

Gloucester, MA
Cape Ann Community Cinema
4/13/10

Rochester, NY
Little Theatre
4/15/10

New York, NY
City Winery
4/15/10, 4/16/10

Pasadena, CA
LAEM Playhouse
4/15/10, 4/17/10, 4/18/10

Los Angeles, CA
LAEM Sunset
4/15/10, 4/17/10, 4/18/10

Encino, CA
LAEM Town Center
4/15/10, 4/17/10, 4/18/10

Portland, ME
Patriot Cinemas: Nickelodeon Cinema
4/15/10, 4/18/10

Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Cinema Paradiso
4/16/10

Newport, RI
Jane Pickens Theatre
4/16/10

St. Pete's Beach, FL
Beach Theatre
4/16/10

Deland, FL.
Athens Theatre
4/16/10, 4/17/10

Washington, D.C.
Atlas Performing Arts Center
4/16/10, 4/19/10

Lake Worth, FL
Lake Worth Playhouse
4/17/10

Key West, FL
Tropic Cinema
4/17/10

Shreveport, LA
Robinson Film Center
4/17/10

Wellfleet, MA
Wellfleet Harbor Actor's Theatre
4/18/10

Bellingham, WA
Pickford Film Center
4/19/10

Cleveland, OH
Cedar Lee Theatre
4/20/10

Three Rivers, MI
Riviera Theatre
4/20/10

Oberlin, OH
Apollo Theatre
4/20/10

Telluride, CO
Michael D. Palm Theatre
4/20/10

Palm Beach, FL
Mos' Art Theater
DATE TBD

Poll: Furthur named best Dead-oriented band by Dead Beat readers

2010-03-30T20:16:00.000-07:00

After a month long poll that asked Dead Beat readers to name the "best Dead-oriented band today," the Heads have spoken, naming Furthur as the top act.

Seventy-two Heads cast votes in the poll, and of those voters, 57 (79 percent) chose Bob Weir and Phil Lesh's band Furthur as their top choice. The Dead, a Grateful Dead spin-off band that includes all five remaining members of the legendary jam band, finished second with eight votes (11 percent), Phil Lesh and Friends received four votes (5 percent) and Bob Weir and Ratdog rounded out the poll with a lackluster three votes (4 percent).

It was not surprising to see Furthur finish as the clear winner, considering all the excitement that has surrounded the band since its recent tour. I was, however, surprised that The Dead did not fair as well, considering the band does consist of all five remaining members and they did put on one hell of a tour last spring. Phil Lesh and Friends and Bob Weir and Ratdog's recent hiatus, due to Bobby and Phil's obligations with Furthur, might have contributed to the two band's low vote count.

Thanks to everyone who participated in Dead Beat's first ever poll. I look forward to getting your feedback on many other Dead-related issues in the near future. Thanks for reading along.

Details announced for Furthur Festival @ Mountain Aire

2010-03-28T08:51:00.000-07:00

After initially announcing its intentions to hold a festival this spring, Furthur has released advanced details concerning venue, artist lineup and activities for the first ever Furthur Festival @ Mountain Aire.

The festival is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, May 28-30, at the historic Calaveras County Fairgrounds in the Angeles Camp, CA. The event will include three days of "music, mountains and magic" on four stages. The lineup will feature two nights of Furthur, with performances by Electric Hot Tuna, Jackie Greene, Galactic, Larry Campbell & Jemimah Puddleduck, The Mother Hips, The Waybacks, Common Rotation w/ Dan Bern, Carney, Maiden Lane and Blue Light River.

There will also be plenty of other fun activities, including special late night shows (including a late-night all-star super jam on Friday), organic food and drink, special Grateful Dead memorabilia and an exhibit featuring instruments and artwork with unreleased music selected by archivist David Lemieux.

While I am sure the festival will be an event to remember, considering the beautiful location in the Sierra foothills, the lineup, aside from the two-nights of Furthur and the all-star super jam, is a little weak in the eyes of this Head. While I love Jackie Greene, Galactic and Hot Tuna, a number of other acts including The Waybacks, Carney, Maiden Lane and Blue Light River are bands most have probably never heard of and most likely won't be the deciding factor in anyone's decision of whether or not to attend the festival. But I am sure two-nights of Furthur and three days of camping in the beautiful Sierra foothills will be enough for those who are on the fence to make the trip out to Mountain Aire. If I wasn't stuck in upstate New York, you could bet I would be there.

Tickets go on sale March 22 at 9 a.m. For more information visit www.furthur.net.

Jay Lane leaves Furthur to rejoin Primus

2010-03-20T12:44:00.000-07:00

According to a report on Phil Lesh.com, Furthur drummer Jay Lane is leaving the group to join Primus.

Phil's message reads as follows: "Over the past year, both Jill and I have come to know and love Jay for the great guy that he is. At the end of our tour he rode back on Bob's bus and informed Bob that he had an opportunity to play drums with Primus. He and Bob discussed it, and they decided that the logical time to make the change would be after the birthday show. I only found out about this the day before the show; as their relationship goes back a long way, I told them both then that I support any decision they might make. I will miss Jay's enthusiasm and ebullience; he's a great guy to hang and play music with."

Jay Lane was a founding member of Primus along with bassist Les Claypool and guitarist Todd Huth. The trio also played together in the group, Sausage, in the 90s. He is also a founding member of the Bob Weir fronted jam band, Ratdog. Lane will join Claypool and long-time Primus guitarist Larry LaLonde on tour this year. Furthur is expected to play with only one drummer, Joe Russo, for now, but it is rumored that the band could fill the seat with Phil Lesh and Friends' drummer, John Molo.

Gathering of the Vibes confirms initial 2010 artist lineup

2010-03-19T13:16:00.000-07:00

The Gathering of the Vibes Music Festival, held in Bridgeport, CT, July 29-August 1, has announced its initial lineup with appearances by Primus, Damien Marley & Nas and the Rhythm Devils featuring Keller Williams.

While Furthur is currently not listed in the lineup, the festival's initial lineup features a number of traditional Dead related bands including the Donna Jean Godchaux Band and Dark Star Orchestra. Grateful Dead drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart will also join forces to perfrom as the Rythm Devils, who will be joined by Williams, Davy Knowles, Sikiru Adepoju and Andy Hess.

The festival will conclude on Jerry Garcia's birthday, Aug. 1.

Gathering of the Vibes 2010 Lineup:

Damian Marley and Nas
Primus
Jimmy Cliff
Rhythm Devils featuring Keller Williams
Umphrey’s McGee
Galactic
Jackie Greene
Robert Randolph and the Family Band
Steve Kimock and Crazy Engine
Mix Master Mike
Martin Sexton & Ryan Montbleau Band
Deep Banana Blackout
Little Feat
Big Sam’s Funky Nation
Assembly of Dust
Max Creek
Dark Star Orchestra
New Riders of Purple Sage
Zach Deputy
Harlem Gospel Choir
King for a Day
Donna Jean Godchaux Band
w/ more bands TBA

Head over to the official GOTV website for tickets and more info.

Bill Kreutzmann to join 7 Walkers for spring tour

2010-03-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

Legendary Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann has announced a tour with his new band, 7 Walkers, this spring. The group features Papa Mali, Tea Leaf Green bassist Reed Mathis and multi-instrumentalist Matt Hubbard of Willie Nelson and Friends

The band recently spent time recording an album with Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter. It is scheduled to be released this year and offers a mix of Grateful Dead standards, Papa Mali originals and some New Orleans and Southern songbook interpretations.

“We first met at the Oregon Country Fair last year,” Kreutzmann said in a statement. “He was the headliner on the main stage, and I sat there and watched him and went, ‘This guy’s for real man, I like this guy.’ Then we met, after that he came over to my trailer that I was staying in and you couldn’t separate us, we talked for hours. It was just one of those natural things, you know? You can’t plan it; You can’t make it happen. And then we started playing together.”

7 Walkers spring dates:

April 6 Big Room Chico CA—Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
April 7 Eureka CA—Red Fox
April 8 Crystal Bay NV—Crystal Bay Club Crown Room
April 9 San Francisco CA—Great American Music Hall
April 10 Santa Cruz CA—Moe’s Alley
April 16 Live Oak FL—Spirit of Suwanee Music Park
April 17 Driftwood TX—The Salt Lick
April 30 New Orleans, LA—Mahalia Jackson Theatre
June 3 Ozark AR—Wakarusa Festival
June 11 Santa Rosa CA—Sonoma County Fairgrounds

They Say It's Your Birthday!

2010-03-15T18:51:00.000-07:00

Happy 70th Birthday Phil!

We Love You!

AND IN HONOR OF YOUR 70th BIRTHDAY, DEAD BEAT IS ENCOURAGING ALL OF OUR FANS TO BECOME ORGAN DONORS IN THE EVENT OF AN UNEXPECTED EVENT.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT

PHIL ZONE DONOR INFO

Robert Hunter contributes to new album

2010-03-15T10:55:00.000-07:00

Famed Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter has lent his skilled writing and mystical lyrics to fellow singer-songwriter, Jim Lauderdale, for his new album, "Patchwork River". The new album that was co-written by Hunter and Lauderdale, is the second release by the country/bluegrass musician. The album was released on May 11 and is the follow-up to Lauderdale's debut solo album "Headed for the Hills", which featured 12-tracks co-written by the songwriting duo. The two reportedly first met after Lauderdale invited Hunter to contribute lyrics to an album recorded by Lauderdale and Ralph Stanley titled, "I Feel Like Singing Today". Hunter and Lauderdale reconnected two years later, writing 30 songs that have appeared on both of Lauderdale's two solo albums.

For more information, visit http://www.jimlauderdale.com/.

Furthur & Friends Live @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium (San Francisco, CA) 3-12-2010

2010-03-13T18:10:00.000-08:00

Phil Lesh's 70th Birthday Bash

Set 1 Acoustic Set with Jackie Greene, Steve Molitz & Chris Robinson:
Ripple, Lazy River Road, Fennario, Two Souls in Communion, Brokedown Palace, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall, They Love Each Other, Mountains of the Moon, Attics of My Life

Set 2 with Jackie Greene & Chris Robinson:
Scarlet Begonias, Minglewood Blues, Easy Wind> New Speedway Boogie, Viola Lee Blues> High Time> Caution Jam> Viola Lee Blues> Hard To Handle, Viola Lee Blues> Like A Rolling Stone> Sugaree

Set 3 with Jackie Greene, Steve Molitz & John Molo:
Not Fade Away Jam * Float Parade, Happy Birthday Phil! * Balloon Drop, Not Fade Away Jam> Playing in the Band> Jam> St. Stephen> The Other One> Elevator> Unbroken Chain, Comes a Time> Cream Puff War * with dancers> Franklin's Tower

E: Johnny B. Goode

Furthur to host Memorial Day weekend festival

2010-03-13T15:40:00.000-08:00

While there are more "details coming soon," Furthur has announced its intentions to host a festival this spring. The event will take place at Mountain Aire in California from May 28-30 - Memorial Day weekend.

Check back in the near future for furthur information.

Furthur Live @ Portland Memorial Coliseum (Portland, OR) 3-8-2010

2010-03-10T08:46:00.000-08:00

Set 1:

Picasso Moon
Dupree's Diamond Blues
Friend Of The Devil

Mama Tried
Built To Last

Black Throated Wind
Peaceful Valley

Passenger

Set 2:

Scarlet Begonias>
Fire On The Mountain>
Hell In A Bucket

West L.A. Fadeaway
Reuben And Cerise

Days Between
China Cat Sunflower>
I Know You Rider

E: Knockin' On Heaven's Door>
Touch Of Grey

The Grateful Dead: Now Playing at the New York Historical Society

2010-03-09T10:06:00.000-08:00

The New York Historical Society has launched its new exhibit, The Grateful Dead: Now Playing at the New York Historical Society. Dead Heads will have the opportunity to view the exhibit from March 5 to July 4, 2010.

The exhibition, which represents the first large-scale exhibition of materials from the Grateful Dead Archive, housed at the University of Santa Cruz, will explore the musical creativity and influence of the Grateful Dead from 1965 to 1995, the phenomenon of the Dead Heads and the enduring impact of the Dead's pioneering approach to the music business. Among the objects in the exhibition will be documents, instruments, audio and video recordings, album art, photographs, platinum records, posters, programs, newsletters, tickets, and t-shirts and other merchandise. Highlights will include the band’s first record contract, tour itineraries, backstage guest lists, decorated fan mail, rare LP test pressings, drawings for the fabled Wall of Sound amplifier array, scripts for the Grateful Dead ticket hotline, notebooks of Dead archivist Dick Latvala, life-size skeleton props used in the band’s “Touch of Grey” video and large-scale marionettes and other stage props.

“Despite the Grateful Dead’s close association with California, the band and New York have been an important part of each other’s history from the first time the Dead played here in 1967 to the band’s year-on-year performances in New York from the late 1970s through 1995,” Dr. Louise Mirrer, President and CEO of the New-York Historical Society, said in a written statement. “This exhibition not only celebrates the band’s relationship with New York but its tremendous impact on American culture.”

Co-curated by Debra Schmidt Bach, Assistant Curator of Decorative Arts, and Nina Nazionale, Director of Library Operations at the New-York Historical Society, the exhibition will be organized thematically, beginning with an examination of the Grateful Dead’s early days in the Bay Area and its first performance in New York City. Other major exhibition themes include the band’s musical artistry, the business of the Grateful Dead, and the band’s special relationship with its fans.

Materials in the exhibition will be drawn almost exclusively from the extraordinary holdings of the Grateful Dead Archive, established in 2008, along with a small number of objects on loan from Grateful Dead Productions and private collectors. A series of public programs will complement the exhibition.

"I have no words ... I don't know what to make of it. In any way," Bob Weir told the Huffington Post in regard to the Historical Society honoring the Dead with an exhibition. "You know, I'm kind of tickled; I guess I'm honored." Adding, "People are taking us seriously, you know, and I don't know how to react to that because being taken seriously is something I never expected out of life. I think I can speak for all of us, we always thought of ourselves as being, um, on the edge a bit, and we never really required that we be taken seriously."

For more information, visit www.nyhistory.org.

Furthur Live @ 1st Bank Center (Broomfield, CO) 3-6-2010

2010-03-08T10:09:00.000-08:00

Set 1:

After Midnight
Next Time You See Me

Till the Morning Comes
Cumberland Blues>

Good Lovin'
Magnolia Mountain
Ripple

Sugaree

Set 2:

The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion)>
Bird Song>

Alligator>

Dark Star (1st verse)>
Time>

Breathe Reprise>

Dark Star (2nd verse)>
Morning Dew>

Let It Grow>
In The Midnight Hour>
Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad>
And We Bid You Goodnight

E: Samson And Delilah, Uncle John's Band

Furthur Live @ 1st Bank Center (Broomfield, CO) 3-5-2010

2010-03-06T08:54:00.000-08:00

Set 1

Viola Lee Blues >

Need A Miracle >
Mason’s Children
Bertha
Brown Eyed Women
Looks Like Rain
Estimated Prophet >
Lady With A Fan >
Terrapin Station

Set 2

The Music Never Stopped >
The Wheel >
Unbroken Chain >
Shakedown Street >
King Solomon’s Marbles
Black Peter >
Truckin’ >
Viola Lee Blues >
Sugar Magnolia

Donor Rap

Encore:

Revolution

Review: Furthur Live @ Mullins Center (Amherst, MA) 2-20-2010

2010-03-04T08:54:00.000-08:00

Photo by Marie L. Schroeder

They each suck down a breath drop container full of high-powered LSD, and proceed to run around the hotel room - jumping on the beds and hanging from a luggage cart they had rode in on. The two and a half-hour ride from upstate New York to Amherst, Massachusetts, has obviously left Cosmic, Stephen and Ashbury restless as the three freaks along with Rosalie, Peter and I prepare to head over to the Mullins Center on the University of Massachusetts campus to witness the newest Dead-oriented band, Furthur.

I had had the pleasure of catching the band during its first performance on the East Coast, when they visited New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom in early December. However, my friends, my fellow freaks, surprisingly enough had not caught any of the shows during the group's five concert mini-tour. Instead this would be their first encounter with the band that has taken the Dead-community by storm since original Grateful Dead members, Bob Weir and Phil Lesh, formed the group in September of last year.

We pull ourselves together while Stephen contacts the front desk to ensure that a cab will arrive on time to pick us up and chauffeur us to the show - if we have learned anything from the past it is that a 'responsible Dead Head, is a free Dead Head.' After more than an hour wait, including one incident when our cab was stolen by some selfish bastards who we vow to prank later, we arrive on the UMass campus as our mad cab driver exhaustively explains to us everything from how the school was forced to close down the top two floors of the library because the building was not built to withstand the weight of the books to the campuses new multi-million dollar sports complex which he believes some of the female students need to visit more often.

While we entertain the mad cabby's self-indulgent rant, we finally find ourselves in front of the Mullins Center where we quickly exit to a swarm of Heads who flood the streets and sidewalks in front of the venue.

We make our way to the entrance of the venue only to find some overweight puppet with a blow horn, shouting instructions to ticket holders while we mingle around the weird in the frigid cold temperatures waiting to be let in. Eventually we gain access to the venue, but it's not until after the powers at be have made the mistake of attempting to control the community and who entered the venue for more than an hour - a big mistake at a Dead show as everyone knows the only way to control the scene is to not attempt to control it at all.

The six of us join forces and march to the front of the line, through the front doors and past security without a trace. I can hear the band has already begun the show as the high-energy harmony of the Buddy Holly classic "Not Fade Away" comes echoing through the corridor. We find a section where some fellow Heads we know from Massachusetts have gathered and squeeze ourselves into the row as the band proceeds with the fan favorite, "Althea". While the boys jam in and out of the first two songs, they take a more structured approach to the remainder of the first set as Bobby throws down one of his dark, "New Minglewood Blues"; John Kadlecik adds his Jerry-esque vocals to the classic sing-alongs', "Dire Wolf" and "Brown Eyed Women"; the two combine for a dawdling rendition of the Robert Hunter self-proclaimed classic, "Friend of the Devil"; a jammed-out, high energy "Cassidy" ensues; and eventually close the first set with another well-known sing-along, "Casey Jones".

After what seems like a short break, at least by Dead standards, the band kicks the second set off in high-gear with Bobby belting out a rendition of "Lost Sailor" as the group uses the song as a launching pad into a spaced-out, epic second set that includes such songs as "Saint of Circumstance", "New Speedway Boogie", "Drums", "King Solomon's Marbles", and the Pigpen rap inspired, "Caution (Do Not Step On Tracks)".

While parts of the set are extremely self-indulgent, it is hard not to see how tight the band is as their jams flow in and out of each other with shear fluidity. As the band pushes forward into the mystical "Dark Star", our high from not only the drugs that consume our minds, but the music that fills the air is beginning to reach its peak. This becomes more apparent as a shirtless Stephen, catches my eye from across the aisle as I look over to find him standing tall with his arms extended in the air, his long hair flailing about as he shakes, and hollows like a wolf at the moon as the band hits the crescendo of the hard-driving "The Other One". The song, along with Stephen's energy, brings us all back to our feet as we groove along to the Neal Cassidy inspired classic. The band follows with another Bobby staple "Let It Grow" and eventually closes the set by transitioning back into "Not Fade Away" - thus sandwiching both sets between the classic sing-along. They eventually finish the song and exit the stage to a chant of "you know my love will not fade away" - in vintage Dead Head fashion. However, we are a little disappointed with the encore choice of "Knockin' On Heaven's Door", not because of the performance, which was spot-on, but rather the slow, non Dead-inspired song choice.

After the final notes of the Dylan-classic have succumb to the deafening roar of the crowd, we quickly make our way outside to join the party that is raging in the lot. Somewhere along the way we lose Cosmic, Stephen and Ashbury amidst the crazed surroundings. The lot is small, so we eventually find our friends among the weird, huffing on nitrous balloons and mingling with old tour friends. Rosalie, Peter and I purchase a few handfuls of the nitrous-filled balloons ourselves. We suck-on the toxic gas, and laugh uncontrollably as our brains drift somewhere into outer space and the only language we can make out is "wah wah wah wha wha wah wah wah wah."

Our buzz is cut short, however, as the hissing nitrous tanks come to a halt and people begin to scream and struggle to escape the heavy footsteps and twinkling flashlights that quickly make way toward us.

We attempt to avoid any confrontation with the pigs as they ascend on the crowd of Heads like a riot team on an angry civil rights protest - screaming at folks to turnoff their stereos, pack up their things and quietly get the "fuck out of the lot." While violence does not erupt, the hostility present can be felt among all of us as we try to avoid the pig fuckers ourselves while they harass and force the crowd out of the lot and into the street. The music never stops, but the party is obviously over as we disappear into the dark night to avoid any further confrontation. After a long walk that leads us through an entertaining host of drunken frat kids returning from the bar, we eventually hitch a ride back to the hotel from a kind Head who happens to live in the area. You got to love family.

Stephen throws the thoughtful Head a cigarette for his generosity and we all pile out to go and raise hell in the hotel room. While the show didn't encompass one of my favorite set list's on the tour, it is hard to deny how tight the band sounded after less than a year together and a handful of performances. But while the show lay fresh in our minds, it is time to do what Dead Heads do best - party!

Set 1:
Not Fade Away>
Althea>
New Minglewood Blues
Dire Wolf
Brown Eyed Women
Friend of the Devil
Cassidy
Casey Jones

Set 2:
Lost Sailor>
Saint of Circumstance
New Speedway Boogie>
Drums>
King Solomon's Marbles
Caution (Do Not Step On Tracks)>
Dark Star>
Other One>
Let It Grow>
Not Fade Away

E: Knockin' On Heaven's Door

Furthur Live @ Auditorium Theatre (Chicago, IL) 3-3-2010

2010-03-03T22:40:00.000-08:00

Set 1

Playin’ in the Band >

Born Cross-Eyed >

Eyes of the World

Jack Straw

Wharf Rat

Uncle John’s Band

China Cat Sunflower >

I Know You Rider

Set 2

Scarlet Begonias>

Fire On The Mountain>

New Potato Caboose>

St. Stephen>

The Eleven>

The Other One

So Many Roads

Help on the Way>

Slipknot!>

Franklin’s Tower

Donor Rap

Encore:

Box of Rain

Johnny B. Goode

Furthur Live @ Auditorium Theatre (Chicago, IL) 3-2-2010

2010-03-02T22:43:00.000-08:00

Set 1

Feel’s Like a Stranger >

New Minglewood Blues >

Loose Lucy

It Must Have Been The Roses

Greatest Story Ever Told

Hurricane

Liberty

Doin’ That Rag

Lovelight

Set 2

Cassidy

Dear Mr. Fantasy

New Speedway Boogie

Let it Grow

Rubin and Cherise

Death Don’t Have No Mercy

Shakedown Street

Throwing Stones

Donor Rap

Encore:

Not Fade Away

Phil & Bobby contribute Bonnaroo tracks to help fight climate change

2010-03-01T22:32:00.000-08:00

Former Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, along with a collection of other former Bonaroo alumni, have contributed songs from previous performances to be part of a free download collection that seeks to raise awareness of climate change issues. Joining the Furthur members in participating in the Best of Bonnaroo release are Phish, Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Ani DiFranco and Jack Johnson. The tracks are available at www.Musicforaction.org. They are free before initiating the download. HeadCount and NRDC assisted in coordinating the release of the tracks. The two groups encourage everyone to email their elected officials or local newspaper regarding climate change.

Best of Bonnaroo Track list
Wilco “Bull Black Nova”
Pearl Jam “Animal”
Jack Johnson “Inaudible Melodies”
Dave Mathews Band “Rapunzel”
Death Cab for Cutie “Cath…”
Ani DiFranco “Fuel”
Phish “Kill Devil Falls”
Gov’t Mule “Banks of the Deep End”
O.A.R. “Delicate Few”
moe. “Not Coming Down”
Raphael Saadiq “100 Yard Dash”
Bob Weir & RatDog “Throwing Stones”
The Disco Biscuits “And The Ladies Were the Rest of the Night”
The Decemberists “The Wanting Comes” in Waves/Repaid”
My Morning Jacket “Oh! Sweet Nuthin’”
Guster “Happier”
Phil Lesh and Friends “Box of Rain”

Furthur Live @ Trump Taj Mahal @ Estes Arena (Atlantic City, NJ) 2-27-2010

2010-03-01T08:17:00.000-08:00

Set 1:

Passenger
Next Time You See Me
King Bee

Hell in a Bucket
Crazy Fingers>

Cumberland Blues
Magnolia Mountain,

Sugaree

Set 2:

Lost Sailor>
Saint of Circumstance
China Cat Sunflower>

I know You Rider>
The Wheel>
Dark Star>

Stella Blue
Unbroken Chain
One More Saturday Night

E: Gloria

Furthur Live @ Mohegan Sun Arena (Uncasville, CT) 2-26-2010

2010-02-27T09:27:00.000-08:00

Set 1:

Other One (Verse 1)>
Alligator

Tennessee Jed
Stuck Inside Of Mobile With
The Memphis Blues Again>
Loser

Pride of Cucamonga

El Paso
Foolish Heart>

Women Are Smarter

Set 2: Bertha>

Good Lovin'

He's Gone>
Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo>
Drums>

King Solomon's Marbles>
Standing On The Moon
Other One (Verse 2)>
The Eleven

Sugar Magnolia

E: U.S. Blues

Furthur announces initial dates for summer tour

2010-02-26T07:31:00.000-08:00

DATE	VENUE	CITY	DOORS/SHOW	PRESALE STARTS	OUTLET STARTS
Fri, 6.25	Highland Bowl Amphitheater	Rochester, NY	5 PM / 6:30 PM	see below	3.5@10AM
Sat, 6.26	MCU Park	Brooklyn, NY	5 PM / 7 PM	see below	3.5@10AM
Sun, 6.27	MCU Park	Brooklyn, NY	5 PM / 7 PM	see below	3.5@10AM
Tue, 6.29	Penn's Peak	Jim Thorpe, PA	5:30 / 7 PM	see below	3.6@10AM
Wed, 6.30	LeLacheur Park	Lowell, MA	4:30 / 6 PM	see below	3.5@10AM
Sat, 7.03	Gelston Castle Estate	Herkimer, NY	5 PM / 7:30 PM	see below	3.5@10AM
Sun, 7.04	Nateva Music & Arts Festival	Oxford, ME	TBA / TBA	N/A	NOW!
Mon, 7.05	The Green @ Shelburne Museum	Shelburne, VT	4 PM / 5:30 PM	see below	3.5@11AM
Thu, 7.08	ArtPark	Buffalo, NY	5:30 / 7 PM	see below	3.5@10AM
Fri, 7.09	Allgood Music Festival	Masontown, WV	TBD / 9:30 PM	NOW!	NOW!
Sat, 7.10	Mann Center for the Performing Arts	Philadelphia, PA	6 / 7:30 PM	see below	3.5@Noon

Today in Grateful Dead History

2010-02-25T20:50:00.000-08:00

Grateful Dead Live @ Oakland-Alemeda County Coliseum (Oakland, CA) 2-25-1990

Set 1:
Touch of Grey> Greatest, Jack A Roe, Rooster, Stagger Lee, Queen Jane, *Last Time, Cassidy, Deal

Set 2:
China Cat> I Know You Rider, Little Light, Estimated> Eyes> Drumz>Wheel> Gimme Some Lovin> Wharf Rat> Sugar Magnolia

E: Heaven's Door

*(first "Last Time" since 1965)

Furthur Live @ Radio City Music Hall (New York, NY) 2-24-2010

2010-02-25T20:22:00.000-08:00

Set 1:

Truckin'>

Dire Wolf
Mama Tried

Althea
Brown-Eyed Women
Till The Morning Comes
The Music Never Stopped
Touch Of Grey

Set 2:

Uncle John's Band>
Scarlet Begonias>

Fire On The Mountain
Bird Song>

St. Stephen>
Born Cross-Eyed>

Eyes Of The World>
Morning Dew>
Playin' In The Band (Reprise)

E: Brokedown Palace

Furthur Live @ Radio City Music Hall (New York, NY) 2-23-2010

2010-02-25T08:12:00.000-08:00

Set 1:
The Other One>
Playing in the Band
After Midnight
They Love Each Other
When I Paint My Masterpiece
The Race is On
Mr. Fantasy
Piano Solo>
Two Djinn
Samson and Delilah

Set 2:
Viola Lee Blues
Shakedown Street
Hard to Handle>
Deal, Mason's Children
Days Between
Let It Grow
Help on the Way>
Slipknot!>
Franklin's Tower

E: Johnny B. Goode

Phil Lesh contributes to new book

2010-02-24T08:26:00.000-08:00

Phil Lesh somehow found time between touring with The Dead and Furthur over the past year to write the afterward to the new book by Ryan Adams & The Cardinals guitarist Neal Casal. The book, Ryan Adams & The Cardinals: A View of Other Windows, is a collection of more than 200 photographs Casal took while performing with the Cardinals. The collection captures the band from its beginning to its recent hiatus in 2009. Adams contributes the book's forward.

According to Jambands.com, Lesh and Adams first met at the 2005 Jammy Awards. The two musicians hit it off and Adams eventually performed a few shows later that year with Lesh's, Phil Lesh & Friends. The two have collaborated a few times in recent years, and Lesh's current band, Furthur, has performed Adams' "Magnolia Mountain," "Peaceful Valley" and "Nobody Girl," on its recent tour.

Furthur Live @ Bob Carpenter Center (Newark, DE) 2-22-2010

2010-02-23T19:28:00.000-08:00

Set 1:

Here Comes Sunshine>
I Need a Miracle>

Estimated Prophet
Candyman

Maggie's Farm
Alabama Getaway

Black Peter
Cosmic Charlie

Set 2:
The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion)>
Jack Straw>

Cold Rain And Snow>
Peaceful Valley>

Sugaree
Revolution>

Terrapin Station>
Throwing Stones

E: Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues> Ripple

David Gans to celebrate 25 years in broadcasting

2010-02-22T07:45:00.000-08:00

David Gans, the host of the weekly syndicated radio show The Grateful Dead Hour, will celebrate his 25th anniversary in broadcasting on Saturday, when he hosts the annual 16-hour KPFA Grateful Dead fund-raising marathon which will begin at 12 p.m. ET. Aside from streaming live music from the band's forty year career, Gans will also preview two new Grateful Dead releases: Road Trips vol. 3 no. 2 (a show from 1971) and Crimson, White, and Indigo, a DVD/3-CD package featuring the Grateful Dead concert on July 7, 1989. Peter Rowan and David Nelson are also scheduled to drop by the studio for the show. The broadcast can be heard on KPFA and via web casts at Nugs.net, Gdradio.net and Kpfa.org.

“If you love live music,” Gans said, “then you must support KPFA.”

To learn more about the broadcast visit www.kpfa.org.

Happy anniversary David! You're the best!

Furthur Live @ Utica Auditorium (Utica, NY) 2-20-2010

2010-02-21T07:23:00.000-08:00

Set 1
Schoolgirl >
Promised Land
Cumberland Blues
Ramble On Rose
Foolish Heat >
Reuben & Cherise
Dear Prudence
Satisfaction

Set 2
China Cat Sunflower>
The Wheel>
I Know You Rider
Magnolia Mountain
Unbroken Chain
Comes A Time
GDTRFB
Touch Of Grey
And We Bid You Goodnight

E: One More Saturday Night

Furthur Live @ Mullins Center (Amherst, MA) 2-19-2010

2010-02-20T13:37:00.000-08:00

Set 1:

Not Fade Away>

Althea>
New Minglewood Blues
Dire Wolf

Friend of the Devil
Cassidy

Casey Jones

Set 2:

Lost Sailor>
Saint of Circumstance
New Speedway Boogie>
Drums>

King Solomon's Marbles
Caution (Do Not Step On Tracks)>
Dark Star>

Other One>
Let It Grow>
Not Fade Away

E: Knockin' On Heaven's Door

Note: Check back in the near future for a complete review of the show.

Furthur to headline Nateva Festival

2010-02-19T21:58:00.000-08:00

Nateva Festival 2010 Initial Lineup:

Futhur (Sunday headliner)The Flaming Lips (Saturday headliner)
moe. (Friday headliner)
Lotus (Thurs headliner)
Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band
Keller Williams
Zappa Plays Zappa
Moonalice
w/ more bands still TBA

Tickets are now on sale at NatevaFestival.com, with weekend passes available at early-bird prices of $199 with camping ($179 without camping), and VIP packages for $425 (VIP perks include: special viewing platforms, preferred parking, camping, dining, a full-service bar, etc…).

Grateful Dead Philly 89' DVD/CD set to be released in April

2010-02-19T07:33:00.000-08:00

From the deep, dark depths of the Grateful Dead archives comes a new DVD/3-CD set called "Crimson White & Indigo," that captures the legendary band's July 7, 1989 performance at Philadelphia's JFK stadium.

The show was the final rock concert at JFK stadium and is the follow-up show to the band's July 4, 1989, performance that was released under the 2005 DVD/CD set "Truckin' up to Buffalo". The DVD/CD set includes 19 tracks mixed from the original 24-track analog tapes in both Dolby Digital stereo and 5.1 surround (for the DVD), and mastered in HDCD (for the CD). The DVD/CD set's packaging includes loads of great photos by Bob Minkin and an essay from veteran Grateful Dead observer Steve Silberman.

According to Rhinio, “The Philadelphia concert offers a snapshot of the Dead’s 1989 tour, where the band played to some of its biggest audiences ever, a result of the group’s only Top 40 hit, “Touch Of Grey” from 1987’s In The Dark. During this tour, the band was recording the follow-up to that album, Built To Last, which is an important reason why the jamming heard here is particularly fluid and concise. In fact, the band played a pair of songs from the upcoming album, the aching ballad “Standing On The Moon” and the poignant “Blow Away,” a song cowritten by keyboardist Brent Mydland, who sadly died a year later.”

Crimson White & Indigo is scheduled for release on April 20.

Crimson White & Indigo album’s tracks include:

CD 1
1. “Hell In A Bucket”
2. “Iko Iko”
3. “Little Red Rooster”
4. “Ramble On Rose”
5. “Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again”
6. “Loser”
7. “Let It Grow”
8. “Blow Away”

CD 2
1. “Box Of Rain”
2. “Scarlet Begonias”
3. “Fire On The Mountain”
4. “Estimated Prophet”
5. “Standing On The Moon”
6. “Rhythm Devils”

CD 3
1. “Space”
2. “The Other One”
3. “Wharf Rat”
4. “Turn On Your Lovelight”
5. “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door”

Furthur Live @ Shea's Performing Arts Center (Buffalo, NY) 2-17-2010

2010-02-19T07:03:00.000-08:00

Set 1:

Music Never Stopped

Alligator
Queen Jane Approximately
Dupree's Diamond Blues
On the Road Again
Hurricane

Corrina
Don't Ease Me In

Set 2:

Hard to Handle
Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo
Get Back

He's Gone
Throwing Stones

After Midnight
Death Don't Have No Mercy
Shakedown Street

Hell in a Bucket

E: Ripple

Benefit for Rex Foundation to feature legendary Grateful Dead concert and high-tech light show

2010-02-18T08:16:00.000-08:00

The Rex Foundation will host a benefit on Thursday, February 18 at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. Relive the Aug. 15, 1975 Grateful Dead concert that was performed at the Great American Music Hall and later released as "One From the Vault". The experience will also include a specially produced digital light show. Aside from the show, there will also be silent auction featuring unique items that include rare Herb Greene photographs and highly acclaimed Silver Oak Cellars 2005 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon magnums etched with Rex labels specifically designed for the event. Tickets are $10. All proceeds generated from ticket sales and auction bids will go towards supporting "essential grassroots" funding for the Rex Foundation.

To learn more about the Rex Foundation, visit www.rexfoundation.org

Help build and ride on Phil's 70th Birthday float

2010-02-17T07:31:00.000-08:00

Teaming with Charity Folks, the Unbroken Chain Foundation is pleased to offer six auctions for a once in a lifetime experience!

The winning bidders for these very special auctions will be receiving one VIP ticket to Furthur and Friends' Phil Lesh Birthday Celebration at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco on March 12 that will provide seating in the VIP section and access to the VIP lounge, and will also receive an event T-shirt and a Phil Lesh and Bob Weir signed poster.

The winning bidders will also be able to come early to personally
meet Phil Lesh before the show to wish him a Happy Birthday AND help build an amazing float that they will then ride on during the celebration.

This is truly a one-of-a-kind auction to benefit the Unbroken Chain
Foundation with proceeds to support Haitian Earthquake Relief. Bidding will conclude on March 5.

For more information please visit:

www.charityfolks.com/phillesh

Furthur Live @ Stabler Arena (Lehigh University - Bethlehem, PA) 2-15-2010

2010-02-17T07:13:00.000-08:00

Set 1:

Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion)
Gloria

Good Morning Little Schoolgirl
Ramble on Rose
Magnolia Mountain
Black Peter

Passenger
Next Time You See Me

Set 2:

Bertha
Row Jimmy
Reuben and Cherise>
No More Do I>

Eyes of the World>
Terrapin Station>

The Wheel
Touch of Grey

E: Samson & Delilah

Furthur to headline All Good Music Festival

2010-02-16T10:14:00.000-08:00

Here's the initial All Good Artist Announcement:

FURTHUR
featuring PHIL LESH & BOB WEIR
Widespread Panic
Umphrey's McGee
Yonder Mountain String Band
Dark Star Orchestra
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic
Lotus
Femi Kuti & the Positive Force
Railroad Earth
The New Deal
Rebelution
Perpetual Groove
Cornmeal
Fort Knox Five
The Macpodz

Stay tuned for many more acts to be announced!

Mountain Jam announces additions to 2010 lineup - still no Furthur!

2010-02-16T08:06:00.000-08:00

Levon Helm & Friends
Drive-By Truckers
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Dr. Dog
The Whigs
The New Mastersounds
Jay Farrar (of Son Volt)
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
The Duke & The King
Justin Townes Earle
Jerry Joseph & Wally Ingram
The Bridge
Zach Deputy
The Brew
Simone Felice
Gandalf Murphy & SCD
Van Ghost
These United States
Mojo Myles Mancuso
Dean Batstone
IS
Kari Spieler

More bands T.B.A.

Furthur Live @ Barton Hall (Cornell University - Ithaca, NY) 2-14-2010

2010-02-15T08:30:00.000-08:00

Set 1:

In The Midnight Hour>
They Love each Other
Beat It On Down The Line
Tennessee Jed,

Fennario
Looks Like Rain,

Sugaree
Good Lovin'

Set 2:

Uncle John's Band>
Peaceful Valley>

Ashes & Glass
Unbroken Chain>

Morning Dew>
The Other One>

China Cat Sunflower
Standing On The Moon>
I Know You Rider

E: Samson & Delilah

Furthur Live @ Patriot Center (Fairfax, VA) 2-13-2010

2010-02-14T15:11:00.000-08:00

Set 1:

Playing In The Band
Wang Dang Doodle

Friend Of The Devil
Greatest Story Ever Told

Ship Of Fools
Sittin' On Top Of The World
Truckin'

New Speedway Boogie

Set 2:

Help On The Way>
Slipknot!>

Franklin's Tower
Cassidy

Turn On Your Lovelight
St. Stephen>

Revolution
The Eleven>

So Many Roads
Let it Grow>
Playing In The Band Reprise

E: Johnny B. Goode

Furthur Live @ Hampton Coliseum (Hampton, VA) 2-12-2010

2010-02-14T15:09:00.000-08:00

Set 1:

Shakedown Street>
I Need A Miracle>
Till The Morning Comes
Stuck Inside Of Mobile
Dire Wolf

Picasso Moon
Big Railroad Blues

Two Djinn

Set 2:

Scarlet Begonias>
West L.A. Fadeaway,

Mason's Children>
Dark Star>

Dear Mr. Fantasy>
King Solomon's Marbles>

Days Between>
Viola Lee Blues>

Dark Star>
Going Down The Road Feeling Bad

E: And We Bid You Goodnight

Cornell University Police: Be on high alert for Deadheads!

2010-02-12T10:45:00.000-08:00

While Deadheads are still extremely loyal to the offspring bands that have arisen from the remaining members of the legendary jam band over the years, Cornell University Police Sgt. Philip D. Mospa, must be stuck in the past because he has written a letter to students and building coordinators at the university, warning them to secure their buildings to keep out unwanted Heads visiting for Sunday's Furthur show.

The letter reads as follows:

This Sunday, February 14th there will be a concert hosted in Barton Hall featuring a band called Further. This band in part has members from the old Grateful Dead band and will certainly generate an active crowd of what are affectionately referred to as “Deadheads”. This fan base is very loyal to the Grateful Dead and their remaining members. We are confident that they will be showing up in large numbers as early as this Friday.

Our concern is that this particular group of fans will set up camp wherever they can and will certainly avail themselves to the warmth of any open building. Even if they do not have tickets to the venue, they will still come in the hopes of gaining access to the concert, and they will be seeking shelter from the elements over the weekend.

Please be extra vigilant in securing your buildings this Friday and throughout the weekend. If you have staff working in the buildings over the weekend, please request that they secure their areas and report any persons who look like they may not belong in their building to the Cornell Police at 255-1111 or if an emergency; 911.

This guy is obviously out of touch with the times. And while the show is sold-out and certainly people will show up without tickets, it is not as if Furthur will have the type of fan following that the good ol' Grateful Dead once garnered.

I think this guy needs to take a page out of the playbook of some of the towns and city's that have had successful visits from Deadheads over the years, and welcome them with open arms, instead of trying to turn it into a potential witch hunt. I wonder if a letter like this would have been released if per say Bruce Springsteen were performing. Still, it is hilarious to know that Deadheads continue to be viewed in this kind of light.

Furthur Live @ Bojangles Coliseum (Charlotte, NC) 2-10-2010

2010-02-12T07:20:00.000-08:00

Set 1:

Here Comes Sunshine>
Crazy Fingers>

Me And My Uncle
Maggie's Farm

Candyman
Minglewood Blues

Foolish Heart>
Cosmic Charlie

Set 2:

Lost Sailor>
Saint Of Circumstance
Doin' That Rag

Come Together>
Caution (Do Not Step On Tracks)>
New Potato Caboose>
Nobody Girl>

China Doll>
Cold Rain And Snow

E: Box Of Rain

SIRIUS XM's Grateful Dead Channel to broadcast Furthur's Ithaca performance

2010-02-11T07:41:00.000-08:00

Cornell University's Barton Hall, which hosted one of the Grateful Dead's most legendary shows in 1977, will once again play host to the band's music when Furthur comes to town on Sunday, Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Luckily, those of us who are too broke to attend or failed to get tickets on time will be able to listen to the concert live on SIRIUS XM's Grateful Dead Channel. The broadcast will begin at 6:30 p.m., with Dead experts David Gans and Gary Lambert leading Dead Heads through the highlights of the 1977 show.

While it is disappointing for many of us Heads not to be in attendance, including myself, at least we will be able to enjoy the show live amongst a few friends who also had the misfortune of missing it.

Got to love the Grateful Dead Channel!

Kreutzmann to play Tropical Jam 5

2010-02-11T07:40:00.000-08:00

Legendary Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann will join Chris Berry, String Cheese Incident's Michael Kang, Steve Kimock and Bobby Vega, on three Hawaiian islands at Tropical Jam 5. Kreutzmann and his band will perform on the Hawaiian Islands of Maui, Oahu and Kauai, March 12-14.

In a separate event, Kreutzmann, Kimock and Vega will play a rare trio show in celebration of the equinox at The Lava Lounge, in Kauai, HI, on March 20.

For more information visit www.billkreutzmann.com

Show Dates:

Bill Kreutzmann, Chris Berry, Michael Kang, Steve Kimock and Bobby Vega’s Tropical Jam 5 dates:
March 12 Maui, HI—Voyage East in the Pauwela Cannery
March 13 Oahu, HI—Waimea Valley – Pikake Pavilion
March 14 Kauai, HI—Kilohana Plantation

Bill Kreutzmann, Steve Kimock and Bobby Vega’s trio date:
March 20 Kauai, HI—The Lava Lounge

Furthur Live @ Thomas Wolfe Auditorium (Asheville, NC) 2-9-2010

2010-02-10T07:47:00.000-08:00

Set 1:

Alabama Getaway
Mama Tried
Pride Of Cucamunga
Loose Lucy

Silvio
Loser

Hell In A Bucket
Casey Jones

Set 2:

Feel Like A Stranger>
He's Gone>

Bird Song>
Unbroken Chain
Magnolia Mountain>
Strawberry Fields Forever>
Stella Blue

Not Fade Away

E: Sugar Magnolia

Bonnaroo initial 2010 lineup announced

2010-02-10T06:49:00.000-08:00

Well the 2010 Bonnaroo lineup has been released and it appears for the first year, there will be no Grateful Dead members attending the popular music festival that has turned from hippie jam band fest to cultural music extravaganza over the past five years. But since it's always fun to check out what Bonnaroo has on tap - more so than actually attending - I have listed the lineup below.

The complete initial Bonnaroo 2010 lineup:

Dave Matthews Band
Kings of Leon
Stevie Wonder
Jay-Z
Tenacious D
Weezer
The Flaming Lips with Stardeath and White Dwarfs perform “Dark Side of the Moon”
The Dead Weather
Damian Marley & Nas
Phoenix
Norah Jones
Michael Franti & Spearhead
John Fogerty
Regina Spektor
Jimmy Cliff
LCD Soundsystem
The Avett Brothers
Thievery Corporation
Rise Against
Tori Amos
The National
Zac Brown Band
Les Claypool
John Prine
The Black Keys
Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers
Jeff Beck
Dropkick Murphys
She & Him
Against Me!
The Disco Biscuits
Daryl Hall & Chromeo
Jamey Johnson
Clutch
Bassnectar
Kid Cudi
Baaba Maal
Kris Kristofferson
Medeski Martin & Wood
The xx
GWAR
Dan Deacon Ensemble
Tinariwen
Wale
Deadmau5
The Melvins
Gaslight Anthem
Miike Snow
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Dr. Dog
They Might Be Giants
Punch Brothers
Isis
Blitzen Trapper
Blues Traveler
Miranda Lambert
Calexico
OK Go
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Martin Sexton
Lotus
Baroness
Dave Rawlings Machine
Mayer Hawthorne and the County
Japandroids
Jay Electronica
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
Ingrid Michaelson
The Dodos
Manchester Orchestra
The Temper Trap
Cross Canadian Ragweed
Big Sam’s Funky Nation
Carolina Chocolate Drops
Tokyo Police Club
The Entrance Band
Local Natives
Brandi Carlile
Mumford & Sons
Rebelution
Diane Birch
Monte Montgomery
Julia Nunes
The Postelles
Lucero
Here We Go Magic
Hot Rize
Neon Indian
B.O.B
Needtobreathe

Furthur Live @ The Tabernacle (Atlanta, GA) 2-8-10

2010-02-08T12:08:00.000-08:00

Set 1:

Promised Land
Brown-Eyed Women
El Paso
Just A Little Light
Money For Gasoline
Estimated Prophet
Liberty
Passenger

Set 2:

Scarlet Begonias

Jack Straw
Eyes Of The World

Women Are Smarter
Cumberland Blues

Cassidy
Mountains Of The Moon
Death Don't Have No Mercy
Fire On The Mountain

E: Satisfaction

Furthur Live @ Hard Rock Live (Orlando, FL) 2 -6 -10

2010-02-07T08:56:00.000-08:00

Set 1:

Saturday Night>
Bertha
The Race Is On
Must Have Been the Roses
Masterpiece
Reuben & Cherise>
Deep Elem Blues>
Deal

Set 2:

After Midnight>
Next Time You See Me
Althea
Cryptical>
Wharf Rat>
Other One>
The Wheel>
GDTRFB
We Bid-U-Goodnight

E: U.S. Blues

Furthur Live @ Bayfront Park Amphitheatre (Miami, FL) 2-5-2010

2010-02-06T08:17:00.000-08:00

Set 1:

Born Cross-Eyed>
The Music Never Stopped>
Ramble On Rose>
The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion)>
Dear Mr. Fantasy>

On The Road Again>
Franklin's Tower

Set 2:

Throwing Stones>

Viola Lee Blues>
Mason's Children>

Viola Lee Blues
Good Lovin'

Lady With A Fan>
Terrapin Station

Shakedown Street
China Cat Sunflower>

I Know You Rider

E: Ripple

Mickey Hart to hold Haiti benefit concert Feb. 13

2010-01-29T20:24:00.000-08:00

MICKEY HART'S HEARTBEAT FOR HAITI - FEB 13 @ THE FILLMORE, SAN FRANCISCO

Mickey Hart's "Heartbeat for Haiti" benefit featuring Mickey Hart & Friends with Giovanni Hidalgo, Sikiru Adepoju, and Rebeca Mauleon, Big Head Todd and The Monsters, Brett Dennen and Amos Lee. Proceeds to benefit What If? Foundation and Partners In Health. A Silent Auction to be hosted by Mountain Girl.

6p.m. VIP Meet and Greet
7 p.m. Doors
8 p.m. Show

Tickets on sale Sunday, January 31, 2010

Click here for $35.00 GA Tickets and Limited $100.00 VIP Meet and Greet Tickets.

www.whatiffoundation.org
www.pih.org

Bill Kreutzmann and BK3 announce California shows

2010-01-27T10:09:00.000-08:00

Grateful Dead drummer, Bill Kreutzmann, and his band BK3, featuring Allman Brother Oteil Burbridge on bass and Max Creek's Scott Murawski on guitar, will perform two shows this February. The first show will take place at The Independent in San Francisco on Feb. 25 and the second show is set for Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz on Feb. 26.

Kreutzmann is also scheduled to perform with Papa Mali as part of the group 7 Walkers at the Allman Brothers Band hosted Wanee Festival in Live Oak, FL. The band that includes Matt Hubbard and Tea Leaf Green's Reed Mathis are working on a new album that was co-written by legendary Dead lyricist Robert Hunter and Papa Mali. Bob Weir and Ratdog will also perform at the festival.

Rothbury canceled for 2010 - could return in 2011

2010-01-22T16:27:00.000-08:00

The promoters of Rothbury Music Festival, which for the past two years has featured some of the best lineups of any festival, have announced they will postpone the festival for 2010.

A statement from the festival's organizers, contributed their "tough" decision out of a "fear" they could not provide festival goers with the "cutting edge roster that everyone has come to expect from Rothbury". The statement cited various artists recording and touring schedules as a main factor for their failure to assemble another high-quality lineup in 2010.

Organizers do intend to move toward continuing the festival in 2011.

"This event is something very special, and we are unwilling to potentially tarnish what Rothbury is, and can become, by working under conditions that will produce anything less than a magical experience," the statement said. "Rothbury is more than a festival. It is a mission intended to discover strength in community, and what it means to be a large-scale sustainable event in these times. Our efforts are certainly not coming to an end."

Rothbury is an environmentally-friendly festival that was held in Rothbury, Michigan in 2008 and 2009. The festival featured some of the most dynamic lineups of any festival in the past two years with bands like The Dead, String Cheese Incident, Younder Mountain String Band, Bob Dylan and Primus, among a number of other top level jam and rock acts to perform at the festival over the past two years. In 2009, the festival brought in 50,000 attendees.

For more information, visit www.rothburyfestival.com

Happy Birthday Jimmy!

2010-01-22T10:13:00.000-08:00

Jimmy Herring, the former lead guitarist for Phil Lesh and Friends, The Other Ones and The Dead, celebrates his 48th birthday today (Jan. 22).

I once had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy during a Widespread Panic show I was working at the Palace Theater in Albany, NY in 2007. One of the coolest guys I have ever met! Actually pointed him to the stage. He asked me if it was ok if he smoked! I said as long as you keep playing guitar like that, you can do whatever you want. He laughed. Awesome moment. Think I picked up one of his sweat rags that night too, but that's a whole other story. Production Assistants always get the shit jobs!

Hope you have a great day Jimmy!

Mountain Jam VI Lineup Announced

2010-01-21T15:02:00.000-08:00

The lineup for the sixth annual Mountain Jam Music Festival - hosted by legendary jam-guitarist Warren Haynes - was announced today and I must say I am digging the initial band's - especially the addition of bassist Les Claypool and funk band Lettuce. The event will take place June 4-6 at Hunter Mountain in Hunter, NY.

Rumor has it, Bobby and Phil's new band, Furthur, could end up closing out the festival Sunday night.

2010 Artists

Gov't Mule

Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band

Michael Franti & Spearhead

The Avett Brothers

Les Claypool

Toots and the Maytals

Yonder Mountain String Band

ALO

Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights

Elmwood

The London Souls

For more information, visit: http://mountainjam.com

Furthur to throw benefit concert to celebrate Phil's 70th Birthday

2010-01-21T08:40:00.000-08:00

The brutal images we are all witnessing out of Haiti on a daily basis have touched all of our lives, and the boys from Furthur are no exception.

To help aid the people of Haiti and celebrate Phil's 70th Birthday, the band will hold a special benefit concert for the Unbroken Chain Foundation with proceeds to aid Haitian Earthquake Relief. The one night only event, will take place at San Francisco's Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on Friday, March 12, 2010.

Tickets go on sale today (Jan. 21, 2009) at 3 p.m. PT. Tickets range from 39.50 (general admission) plus a 2$ "Homeless Connect" fee to $123 (VIP) plus a $2 "Homeless Connect" fee - VIP seating includes a birthday poster signed by Phil and Bob (man, I want that poster!), access to the VIP lounge, and a Birthday T-shirt.

For those of us who will be unable to attend the event, text "Haiti" to the American Red Cross at 90999. A charge of $10 will be added to your monthly bill. The campaign has already raised $25 million.

For more information, visit: http://www.furthur.net/furthurmore/furthurmore-friday-15.html

Review: Furthur Live @ Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, NY 12-8-2009

2010-01-17T15:34:00.000-08:00

The bright lights of the New York City skyline hover overhead as I stand outside the Hammerstein Ballroom on West 34th Street in Manhattan. It's early December in the Big Apple, which means the Holiday season is in full swing as my friends Hawaii and Dave and I stand outside the old opera house hoping to get an early present from the new Grateful Dead-oriented jam band, Furthur.

Taking their name from the technicolored 1939 International Harvester school bus that carted Ken Kesey and his band of Merry Pranksters across the country's vast landscape high on LSD, the new band of pranksters formed by Grateful Dead guitarist, Bob Weir, and bassist, Phil Lesh, includes Ratdog organist, Jeff Chimenti and drummer, Jay Lane; Benvento-Russo Duo drummer Joe Russo; and recent ex-Dark Star Orchestra guitarist John Kadlecik.

Outside, the air is brisk as I mingle with the familiar faces from tours past, while I suck down a few pre-show cigarettes before entering the 3,400 capacity venue that would play host to our first experience, and the East Coast's first experience for that matter, with what we hoped would be the newest Dead-oriented band to have Heads emptying their wallets for years to come.

Upon entrance, Hawaii and I find ourselves on the first of the two-tired balconies that stand unusually close to the slanting floor, which is designed to give us folks in the balcony a good view of the stage. At this point, we have separated from Dave, who took off to meet up with another friend in order to head down to the floor where their tickets are located. The venue is starting to fill in as we sip on our overpriced alcoholic beverages and rap about what song the band will open the show with.

At one point, I hear a familiar voice call my name from across the room. I look around to find my old friend Billy hobbling toward me on one crutch. I had forgotten that he had told me at the Dark Star Orchestra show in Albany a month back that he intended to hop on the band's five show East Coast tour starting in New York.

"What's new man?" he says approaching me with a big grin. "I thought that was you!"

"What the hell happened to you?!" I ask.

"Oh I took a fall and fucked my ankle up," he says with a grimace on his face. "My girl is actually outside right now trying to sell our tickets to tomorrow night's show. I don't even know if we are going to be able to go to the Ashbury (Park) shows."

"Wow that really blows, but I guess on the brightside you will at least get to see them," I say.

"Yeah I know, but it's just been a bad year for me and The Dead," he responds. "Remember how I saw you at The Dead show in Albany during the spring tour. Well I had tickets to like six other shows, but couldn't make it because I became deathly-ill and spent the remainder of the next month in and out of the hospital."

I introduce Billy to Hawaii and we continue on with our conversation before Billy excuses himself to take a phone call. Meanwhile, I notice Hawaii ferociously patting his pockets as if he has misplaced a ten-strip of Owsley's famous "White Lightning" acid or some other important item.

"Fuck!," he crys out.

"What's wrong?" I mumble.

"I forgot my rolling papers in the car," he says.

"Well if there is a time to have forgotten your rolling papers this is it," I say. "I'm sure we will have no problem finding one."

"I know!" he says with a hint of annoyance in his voice. "I just hate going through the process of finding one, when already had them. And then you know you have to smoke with the freaks that give them to you. It's just a whole process I was hoping to avoid."

Bill returns from his phone conversation and informs us that his girlfriend is going to watch the show from the floor since that is where their seats are located, but he was going to remain in the balcony with us so he could rest his busted foot.

"Nice! Should be a good show" I say. "You don't happen to have any papers do you?"

"Sure do," he replies with a wide-eyed grin.

The show is about to begin, so Hawaii and I leave Bill sitting at the top of the balcony where he will have more space to rest his broken foot, while we venture down to the seats we have reserved to roll a joint for the three of us to smoke. We squeeze ourselves into the seats with no help from the bastards sitting in front of us. I break up the necessary amount of bud to fill the EZ Wide Double Wide rolling paper Billy had given me and start to pack it into the over sized paper, just as the band takes the stage and kicks into The Dead's timeless classic "Truckin". I struggle rolling the joint in the dimly lit, tightly packed space as freaks dance around me jabbing the back of the theater's chairs into my legs and pinning me virtually motionless except the use of my arms. In the midst of struggling with the darkness, limited space and my own desire to jump-up and dance, I am finally able to finish rolling the joint and Hawaii signals Billy to come down and join us in what we consider to be a more inconspicuous location.

Bill squeezes in between Hawaii and I just as the band jams out of "Truckin" and into the classic sing along "Dire Wolf". It is the first time I have heard the band perform and the first time I have witnessed former Dark Star Orchestra guitarist, John, or fake Jerry as Hawaii and I like to call him, belting out his best impersination of Jerry Garcia's creaky, vocal lines alongside two of the group's founding members. I did not perceive John's addition to the band necessarily as trying to replace Jerry Garcia, but I did fear hearing him with Bobby and Phil would freak me out.

I spark the joint as we groove and sing along to the set that includes early Dead classics such as "Doin' that Rag" "Ramble on Rose" and "Cosmic Charlie" (set closer). The boys also find time to squeeze in the Bobby staple "Looks Like Rain" and the Jerry Garcia Band classic "Reuben and Cerise," which leaves us with the belief that no matter what else happens during the show we are going to walk away satisfied.

We grab a couple beers at set break and settle in at the top of the balcony, where Billy was originally sitting. While it is impossible to see the stage unless you are seated, I do not mind our new location because we have plenty of leg space and apparently no worries about smoking grass in the open as the place had turned into a free for all with freaks standing around consuming mass amounts of alcohol, puffing on joints and sucking down cigarettes as if they are at a house party instead of a public theatre - finally, it is starting to feel like a Dead show.

"So much for this place having tight security," I lean over and comment to Hawaii.

"This place?" Billy asks. "I have never had a problem hear before. I remember like five years ago I was on the floor at a Mule show, when some freak approached me and dusted me with LSD. Man was I fucked up, hardest I ever tripped in my life."

The group opens the second set with the band's two drummers, Lane and Russo, delivering a "Drumz" before they kick it into the classic jam, "King Solomon's Marbles". "He's Gone" follows and then Phil spices in a little of his own signature vocals to the show with "New Potato Caboose". I groove among the silhouetted figures, while the band kicks it into high-gear as I can hear "The Other One" creeping through the high-energy jam that is developing on stage.

At this point, Hawaii and I don't realize it, but while we are enjoying another joint in our spacious seats at the top of the balcony, Dave and his friend are having a terrible time below. The floor area is sweltering hot and dance space is limited as people are basically packed on top of one another like buds in a freshly packed bowl. To make matters worse, some woman, who is most likely strung out on a multitude of uppers and downers, has begun to harass Dave's friend to a point where she hits a tipping point and begins to frantically attack him, leaving Dave to find a security guard to subdue the crazed woman as she beats his poor friend like a red headed step-child.

Prior to the show we had been jealous of their floor tickets, and while we didn't exactly know it at the moment, we are having a much easier go of it puffing on headie nuggs and enjoying the show in a frenzied sort of peace that is taking place in the balcony. At this point, we are seated as Bobby and John take us through the mystical "Days Between". While John performs the majority of Garcia songs throughout the night, he and Bobby also perform many of the songs as a duet, which some people might complain about (of course most of these people are the types that just don't like Bobby and like the Republicans with Obama, would hate him no matter what he did), but I thought it was great that they shared the load, because while I respect John and his ability to recreate Garcia and his sound, it is not as if the man is actually Jerry Garcia. On the other hand, Bob Weir is Bob Weir, and I appreciate the opportunity to listen to both of their voices cut through the air and give the old songs new life.

After the slow, yet beautiful "Days Between" the band brings the crowd back to their feet with a classic Dead combination "Scarlet Begonias>Fire on the Mountain" and closes with one of the band's early classics "Cold Rain and Snow". While there have been a few flaws in the performance, like any show, the only truly disappointing moment was the encore "Touch of Grey". Not that I don't love the only tune the pioneers of jam ever wrote that reached number one on the Billboard charts, but after hearing it as the encore for a number of shows on Dead tour in the spring, not to mention at Dark Star's recent show in Albany, it was a disappointing end to what has otherwise been a great show.

We say our goodbyes to Billy and his girlfriend outside before they disappear into the Manhattan night. We find Dave and start to rap about how great of a show we had just witnessed and even more importantly how the band lived up to every thing we had imagined it would be when they first announced the formation of the group a few months back.

"It just could be this band is here to stay," I prophesize. "Now we just need to land tickets to the winter tour!"

Setlist

Set 1:
Truckin'>
Dire Wolf
Doin' That Rag
Ramble On Rose
Reuben & Cerise>
Looks Like Rain
Cosmic Charlie

Set 2:
Drums>
King Solomon's Marbles>
He's Gone> New Potato Caboose>
The Other One> Days Between>
Scarlet Begonias>
Fire On The Mountain
Cold Rain and Snow

E: Touch of Grey

Today in Grateful Dead History

2009-12-31T12:33:00.000-08:00

Grateful Dead live @ Oakland Auditorium (Oakland, CA) 12-31-1982

Set 1:
Cold Rain and Snow, C.C. Rider, Cumberland Blues, Far From Me, Cassidy, Ramble On Rose, Looks Like Rain, Day Job

Set 2:
Sugar Magnolia, Sugaree, Man Smart/Woman Smarter, Ship Of Fools, Playin in the Band, Drumz, Not Fade Away, Deal, Sunshine Daydream

Set 3:
Turn on Your Love Light, Tell Mama Baby, What You Want Me to Do, Hard to Handle, Midnight Hour

E: Brokedown
*(Bill Graham rides in on a giant mushroom)*

Today in Grateful Dead History

2009-12-14T19:48:00.000-08:00

Since it's my birthday, I thought it would be a good day to present another "Today in Grateful Dead History." While there are a number of great shows from the day of my birth (12-14-1982), I thought I would leave you with this gem - just two years before I was born. Unfortunately, they did not perform a show on the actual day of my birth. Must be they were celebrating!

Grateful Dead Live @ Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, CA 12-14-1980

Set 1:
Bertha
Greatest Story Ever Told
Althea
Little Red Rooster
Loser
Me & My Uncle
Big River
Bird Song
Passenger
Candyman
Looks Like Rain
Don't Ease Me In

Set 2:
Cold Rain and Snow
Samson and Delila
It Must Have Been The Roses
Estimated Prophet
The Wheel
Drumz
Other One
Stella Blue
Around and Around
Good Lovin

E: Brokedown

Other shows performed on my birthday:
1968 The Bank, Torrance, CA
1970 Unknown
1971 Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, MI
1990 McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, CO

Furthur Live @ Ashbury Park Convention Hall (Ashbury, NJ) 12-13-2009

2009-12-14T19:28:00.000-08:00

Set 1:
Box Of Rain
I Need A Miracle>
Wang Dang Doodle
They Love Each Other
Beat It On Down The Line
Candyman
Estimated Prophet>
Cumberland Blues

Set 2:
Lost Sailor>
St. Of Circumstance
Mason's Children>
Sugaree
Terrapin Station>
Help On The Way> Slipknot!>
Franklin's Tower

E: U.S. Blues

Furthur Live @ Ashbury Park Convention Hall (Ashbury, NJ) 12-12-2009

2009-12-14T19:26:00.000-08:00

Set 1:
Passenger>
Greatest Story Ever Told
Friend Of The Devil
Brown-Eyed Women
Fennario, Ship Of Fools
One More Saturday Night

Set 2:
Playin' In The Band>
Althea>
New Speedway Boogie>
Wharf Rat>
Golden Road To Unlimited Devotion
Cassidy
Viola Lee Blues
I Know You Rider

E: Gloria

Furthur Live @ Chevrolet Theater (Wallingford, CT) @ Oakdale 12-11-2009

2009-12-14T19:23:00.000-08:00

Set 1:
Shakedown Street
Alabama Getaway
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl
Pride Of Cucamonga
Loose Lucy
Minglewood Blues
Music Never Stopped

Set 2:
China Cat Sunflower>
Eyes Of The World
Born Cross-Eyed> Dark Star
Strawberry Fields Forever
St. Stephen> The Eleven>
Not Fade Away

E: Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad

Furthur Live @ Hammerstein Ballroom (New York, NY) 12-9-09

2009-12-11T08:37:00.000-08:00

Furthur:
Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Joe Russo, John Kadlecik, Jay Lane, Jeff Chimenti

Setlist

Set 1:
Jam >
Feel Like A Stranger >
Deal (JK)
Crazy Fingers > (JK)
Stuck Inside of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again
Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo (JK&BW) >
Jam >
Bird Song (BW&PL)
Good Lovin'

Set 2:
Jack Straw
The Wheel (BW) >
Jam >
Welcome To The Dance >
Jam >
Uncle John's Band (PL)
Unbroken Chain
Satisfaction
Let It Grow
Sugar Magnolia >
Sunshine Daydream

Encore: Donor Rap
Johnny B. Goode

*Stay tuned for my review from the 12/8 show in the coming days.

Furthur Live @ Hammerstein Ballroom (New York, NY) 12-8-09

2009-12-09T11:39:00.000-08:00

Furthur:
Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Joe Russo, John Kadlecik, Jay Lane, Jeff Chimenti

Setlist

Set 1:
Jam>
Truckin’>
Dire Wolf
Doin’ That Rag
Ramble On Rose
Reuben & Cerise>
Looks Like Rain
Cosmic Charlie

Set 2:
Drums>
King Solomon’s Marbles>
He’s Gone>
Jam>
New Potato Caboose>
Jam>
The Other One>
Days Between>
Scarlet Begonias>
Fire On The Mountain
Cold Rain & Snow
Donor Rap / Band Intros
Encore:
Touch of Grey (BW&JK)

* Stay tuned for a review of the show in the coming days.