Pretty cool words by Bill K Robert Hunter wrote the soundtrack to my life; his words are with me always. They’ve become part of my daily thought process, world view, philosophy…they are the closest thing I have to prayers. Many of you can say this too and it is something we all share. He was the Grateful Dead’s lyricist but he also was the lyricist for my band 7 Walkers. He loved the music and he told me that when he played the record for the first time, he turned it up all the way and then laid down in bed to listen. Halfway through, his speakers came crashing down, almost hitting his head. He liked that. In fact, telling me about it was his form of a compliment. When I first formed 7 Walkers, I had called him up asking for a dozen songs and I told him they had to somehow reflect New Orleans or have cajun, creole, voodoo influences. He took that direction to heart and when he returned with words, I asked how he got so many of the details right — stuff you would’ve only known about if you lived in New Orleans. But Bob never lived in New Orleans. He just said, “Oh, well, I read a lot.” This just goes to show that his sorcery skills were no joke. I’m bringing up his collaboration with 7 Walkers because it gave me one more time to work with Bob, this time one-on-one. We had one major argument over changing one word, from “Seattle” to “New Orleans.” He was very protective over every single word; he’d fight you over syllables. The other time I worked with him outside the Dead was on Jerry’s solo album, Garcia. Hunter was inside the control room, writing lyrics as we played music. “The Wheel” came out of that. “Sugaree,” too. “Bird Song.” “Deal!!” Songs I still play today and that many of us can recite by heart — I know I sure can. But there’s always one thing I think of first, and that I keep coming back to, when looking back on our friendship: Bob was by my side for a particular day, seemingly lifetimes ago, that would forever alter my adventure on this planet — my first acid trip. You never forget your first, and Bob was there with me on that journey, complete with us watching the garbage trucks go by in the morning, after being up all night, convinced they were actually aliens or other fantastical things. I will always cherish my many wonderful memories of Robert Hunter and I am sad that there won’t be any new ones. I cried when I heard the news and I’ve spent all day reflecting. And all my thoughts lead me to this: Robert Hunter is gone, but his words will live on forever. How many people can we say that about? Not many. He was a rare bird and a gift to us all. Wildflower seed on the sand and stone, may the four winds blow him safely home.
Eric Kranso going to fill in for remaining tour dates for Circles Around The Sun. he’s a great player, but not sure his style and tone will be the best. Intrigued to hear it though
Alabama Getaway Alligator Althea Attics of My Life Believe it or Not Bertha Bird Song Black Muddy River Black Peter Blues for Allah Box of Rain Brokedown Palace Brown Eyed Women Built to Last Candyman Casey Jones China Cat Sunflower China Doll Comes a Time Corinna Cosmic Charlie Crazy Fingers Cumberland Blues Dark Star Day Job Days Between Deal Dire Wolf Doin That Rag Dupree’s Diamond Blues Easy Answers Easy Wind The Eleven Eyes of the World Fire on the Mountain Foolish Heart Franklin’s Tower Friend of the Devil Greatest Story Ever Told Help on the Way Here Comes Sunshine He’s Gone High Time If I Had the World to Give It Must Have Been the Roses Jack Straw Lazy River Road Liberty Loose Lucy Loser Mason’s Children Might As Well Mississippi Half Step Mission in the Rain Mountains of the Moon Mr. Charlie New Speedway Boogie Playin in the Band Ramble on Rose Ripple Row Jimmy Rubin and Cherise Samba in the Rain Scarlet Begonias Shakedown Street Ship of Fools So Many Roads Standing on the Moon Stella Blue St. Stephen Sugaree Sugar Magnolia Sylvio Tennessee Jed Terrapin Station They Love Each Other Til the Morning Comes To Lay Me Down Touch of Grey Truckin’ Uncle John’s Band U.S. Blues Wave to the Wind West LA Fadeaway Wharf Rat Wheel When Push Comes to Shove ~ Robert Hunter ~
I love this quote from his letter to Jerry, a year after his death: “Pop songs come and go, blossom and wither, but we scored a piece of Americana, my friend. Sooner or later, they'll notice what we did doesn't die the way we do.”
Got a buddy at the MSG show tonight. I’m streaming and sipping some bourbon. Fuck I love this music. Mayer currently soloing on They Love Each Other.
Remember seeing the trailer for this a while back, super pumped and I’m not even a big action sports guy
Anyone at Playin in the Sand? Was real close to going but ended up not. Just streaming. thus far: Not Fade Away Hell in a Bucket Row Jimmy
"These 17 shows will be the only headlining dates for Dead and Company in 2020, according to a news release." https://www.app.com/story/entertain...nd-company-tour-2020-summer-dates/4671496002/
Will never play Alpharetta too small. State Farm Arena in the fall was great. Want them to do that again.
Lol at them skipping Charlotte for Raleigh. Talking to my buddy in Boston about hitting one or both of those shows at Fenway.
I entered the certified fan presale for Atlanta. We’ll see if it works. I’ve not gotten a Dead experience in any format, so here’s hoping.