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  • PeggyO
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    Reflections on a Tour
    Well, the Spring Tour 2009 is in the bag and was definitely one for the books! That's for sure. I know a lot of people might think the Dead are dead without certain members, and to be honest, the last couple of tours the Dead have done were great experiences for me, but I always felt like people were "sitting in" to fill some big shoes left behind. Even Warren, in 2004, felt like he was filling in. So I went to the LA Forum show expecting what we got in 04. Oh how wrong I was! That first throat grabbing chord of the show was like the band was saying to everyone in the Forum, "Listen up people! We're not f*#cking around here, we're here to play so let's get down to it!" And then BOOM, right into that unreal VLB groove, with a beat that you just had to move to. I have been doing tours since the late 70's/early 80's and to my ears, this band has never been better. On the one hand, they're tighter, yet they're also looser. I cant explain it, and honestly, that's about the best one can say about the Dead when they're really "on", "well, I cant explain it man, you just have to experience it..." ;) I've been keeping up with the Tour, listening to the shows online as the Tour progressed and the first half was just okay for me. But in LA it felt like something happened that night and everything the boys had been striving for just all fell into place that night. The Forum felt like an old school East Coast indoor arena show, complete with rabid, hardcore heads that were so grateful to be back at the party again. This was not a "best of" tour. This was a "here's who we are now, dig it" tour, and man did I love what I heard on the West Coast leg of this Tour. That night in LA, I realized that Warren and Jeff no longer felt like they were filling in for anyone anymore. The *were* the Dead just as much as Bobby, Phil, Billy or Mickey are. To me, the Dead has always been a band in flux. There have been so many iterations of them I've sort of lost count. So to those who lament a Jerryless Dead, all I can say is, you don't know what you're missing. Sure I miss Jerry and I miss Brent. But the Dead as they are right now? Sound the best I've ever heard them and they're not stale, they're still out there pushing the envelope and really, isn't that what this is all about? So yeah, I no longer get weepy when I hear Brokedown Palace or Ripple or Box of Rain. I just revel in the fact that I get to experience this amazing thing we call The Dead, once again. And I am truly Grateful. One final comment...It felt so great to experience Shakedown once again and the lot scenes in LA and the Gorge were excellent. Like some upthread said, I found my self also saying things, and using expressions that I haven't used in a long time...It felt good to have the tribe back together again, didn't it?!
  • GD GRW
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    right on southerntam
    My sentiments exactly. It was a bittersweet night. Very cool to stay up until 3 am+ listening to the whole show, with great interviews and commentary thrown in during the set break. But it was so great to back out there catching 4 shows, eagerly anticipating seeing the setlists of the shows I didn't catch each morning, listening to the downloads etc. I'm going to miss all that. I'm firmly in the camp that thinks the music has changed/evolved in a great way....new sounds, tunes I never thought I'd get to hear live, Rhythm Devils taking it to new heights each night etc etc. Warren and Jeff are as good as it gets in the post Jerry/Brent/Keith/Pigpen era, which is to say they're both amazing musicians who fit right into the fabric of the band and helped to make the magic each night. Jeff is a monster on the keys and Warren managed to channel the ghosts of Jerry/Brent/Pigpen in his paying and singing while keeping it new and fresh and his own as well. Branford's interview during the set break was spot on: they're older, they've each gone on to do new things are are coming at playing together from a new angle, pushing the boundaries and not just treading the worn path. By the time they got to the Gorge, they seem to have all completely melded musically and got the bugs all worked out. We may not see them out on the road two thirds of the year anymore....at least as The Dead, but I gotta think the fun they seemed to be having along with the embrace of the fans will pull them back for another go around or two down the road. And yes, it was really cool to hear Mickey thank the crew and bring them out onstage for some well deserved applause. I've seen them with Jerry from the early 80's onward, seen Phil and his band, Ratdog, the Dead 2003/4 and I can say I had as good a time at these shows and I've had at any. All different, all excellent and all the music of the Grateful Dead which is what it's all about. Thanks guys!
  • theotherone2
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    GDTS TOO website
    Not sure if this is the appropriate forum to use but I'm sure Marye will let me know. I just went to the GDTS TOO website for the first time in years to see about Ratdog tix and was amazed at what i found. It prompted me to send them the following... Please don't take offense. Just a little constructive criticism. It's been many years since I've visited your site. Back in the day I thought it was the greatest thing ever. The days of calling the hotline every day sometimes multiple times were over, but come on guy's, your site is really quite primitive by today's standards. To my dismay, when I tried to fill out the credit card form I discovered it wasn't interactive. I consider myself a caveman for not having a printer/copier/scanner combo, but times are tough. I don't even know where to find a fax machine. Aren't we supposed to be a paperless society by now? This planet needs all the trees she can produce. The decorative envelopes are still very cool, and should be an option, but how about an online interactive version of the envelope? I'm sure there are thousands of heads out there into web design who would be willing to collaborate and put something together for you. I'm not a designer myself but I'm willing to help wherever I can. Just something to consider. Peace and much thanks for all you do. So this would be a shout out to all of you webmasters out there if they are receptive. I know youre out there, a simple Google search for anything Dead related shows me there's some mad skills out there. I have not recieved a response yet, but when I do I'll post it.
  • fillmore
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    Maybe I should of gone for
    Maybe I should of gone for the CDs too!
  • thor369
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    thanks fillmore
    thor369 - I'm still waiting for my two Chicago show downloads that were ordered May 3rd! Hope your wife is better. she is doing much better. it was an asthma and panic attack type combo, scary stuff. my CD isnt a download, it was a CD i paid for, at the show, they was recording off the mixing boards, and pressing official show CD's on the spot for $25, with show date, and place, on official The Dead CDs. it is why i dont want the download to replace my CD, my puter dont have good speakers, and i only listen to my CDs in my car, or my headset CD player. i cant reburn 1 on my puter, and it isnt the official CD with the printed faces on them.
  • AlpineMike
    Joined:
    Bringing the magic home...
    Chicago was incredible... 20 years since since my love's and mine last show but with one more in tow - our 11 year old son whose favorite song right now is Throwing Stones. All with a different yet better spirit. The magic was back. It does remind me of reading a book where you don't understand the words and you go back later and understand it even more after life experience. I started reading the book long ago and loved it - and It means even more now. The shows brought smiles, healing and joy. Peace Mike P.S. Please Tour again !!!! - You are beautiful together ! Such a long long time to be gone and a short time to be there
  • marye
    Joined:
    fillmore, and anyone else having issues
    you too
  • marye
    Joined:
    thor
    pm me the details. We're working on this one.
  • fillmore
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    supertacks
    I feel the same way, could never have said it any better. Great post!
  • fillmore
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    thor369 - I'm still waiting
    thor369 - I'm still waiting for my two Chicago show downloads that were ordered May 3rd! Hope your wife is better. I thought all the shows were just awesome. Thanks guys for giving us the magic again. Sure would be nice to hear the Chicago shows and relive some nice memories again.
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16 years 1 month
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The band says Happy New Year with an announcement of almost twenty shows in April and May.  More details to come!

https://dead.net/dead09

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16 years 2 months
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Cool! Woulda been nice to have another show or two in the Southeast, though. That one show in Greensboro is gonna be crowded. ********************************************* I have a sigfile! --> www.kindveggieburritos.com *********************************************
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16 years 1 month
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Just saw the announcement for upcoming concert, the New Year is looking bright already!!
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17 years 4 months
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no europe shows again - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Spanish Jam
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16 years 10 months
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Old friends in Charlottesville, VA Mandy & Cory, get in touch!!
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17 years 4 months
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I'm sure there will be a few extra Bay Area shows added to the end of the schedule but it would be marvelous to have a European tour in summer. Some of us can't get visas to visit the US due to past glories on the GD lot. The guys will be settled in with each other by then so it would be a fun time for them and insirational too! :) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Are you kind?"
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17 years 4 months
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up to Buffalo!!!!!! Can't wait. 3 days after my birthday, sounds like a gift idea to me.Happy NewYear everyone and Peace
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15 years 9 months
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Anyone know if mail order is going to be available to the spring fling tour? There is mention of internet presale but not sure if that is the only way to get a leg up ahead of the major release.
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17 years 4 months
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All I know is that when I read this morning, I literally jumped up & down !!! I'm gonna plan on Chicago , LA & Mountain View Shows , I want to be at the last show of the tour. In 2004 I went all over to see them and the best was in George Was. @ the Gorge with the ABB , it was excellent. I just can't say how excited I am for this, that just made my Year for 2009, everything else comes second. Can Not WAIT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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17 years 4 months
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What a beautiful way to start the new year! Love is in the air! Thank you Bobby,Phil.Billy, and Mickey for keeping the dream alive. peace,pk
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16 years 8 months
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Dave <--------------Big Smile
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17 years 3 months
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I knew they'd announce it late NYE! THANK YOU BOB, PHIL, MICKEY & BILLY!!! You have made a wonderful decision - and so have I! I'm gonna allow myself to become a kid again for a few nights and come join the party - 5 nights is what I think I can swing!! You guys are the best........I can't believe I was actually crying at my keyboard this morning. I'll be feeling extra love everytime I pick up my guitar and play. I'll be smiling for months. This is better than Christmas! Thank you - can't wait to hop on the bus one more time!!!!!!! ~ Pappy http://www.theCAUSEjams.com "Once in a while you can get shown the light in the strangest of places, if you look at it right." - Robert Hunter
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15 years 9 months
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hope the tour includes oregon and Idaho. they played Boise Idaho 4 years ago and it was great ...they said they would return....
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16 years 5 months
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What great news!!! I was dancing and leaping round our living room this morning!! What a beautiful way to start the NEW DAY guyz!!! THANK U SO MUCH!! Fare Thee Well...
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16 years 10 months
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.....literally to Chicago or Denver. Besides the obvious reasons, living in Arkansas sure has its downside!!! I will get by, I will.....survive!!! Thanks to all who made this happen. I will finally get to experience what I have been hearing on tape and CD--LIVE!
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17 years 3 months
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Thanks for the tour date release: I had hoped to see a KC or St.Louie date, but a trip to San Jose will be nice. Check out the 5 minute Dead video associated with this forum.....
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17 years 3 months
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That video is what made me cry.... And speaking of that video - the boys sure have put out a few things with WONDERFUL shots & sounds from that Obama night.....DO I SMELL AN OFFICIAL DVD RELEASE COMING SOON?????? OOOOOOOOOOOO PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE?!?!?!??!!!! I was there and it was SUCH a magical evening....the sounds & sights they've released SO far from that night prove me right. I've heard the 'naysayers' say....it was feh, or whatever. SORRY - I've studied the music for far too long and have been playing it myself for over 20 years. They were listening SO intently to each other that night & played SO well with each other....that St. Stephen...The Other One...Help/Slip....PHEEEEEFREAKINOMINAL!!! ~ Pappy http://www.theCAUSEjams.com "Once in a while you can get shown the light in the strangest of places, if you look at it right." - Robert Hunter
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17 years 4 months
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Right on Pappy! They continue to climb that mountain, expand, explore, and grow.Fire on the mountain! These are not ordinary times and this is not an ordinary band. They are expanding the human experiance. Living history.
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17 years 5 months
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is really nice! Well, guess we've got something to look forward to!
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15 years 9 months
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I was just informed of the tour, and am sooo stoked! Planning on going to MSG, Izod center, The Spectrum, for sure! and gonna try to work out a west coast trip to finish the tour. I can't wait to see all my DeadHead freinds! Happy touring!!
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15 years 11 months
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What an awesome way to start 2009! Can't wait for May 7! SOOOOOOO Grateful!!!!
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15 years 9 months
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This is excellent news - sure would be great to have the Dead play in the northwest!
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17 years 3 months
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SO ANY ONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO GET A MONTH OFF WORK WITH OUT LOSSING MY JOB (THAN AGAIN IT WOULDNT BE THE FIRST ONE I LOSSED TO GO ON TOUR) BRING IT ON.........JINGLE - FEW GOOD MEN MC - NEW YORK
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16 years 7 months
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already booked my flights for NY.....Nassau & MSG a must.....my old stomping grounds.......
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17 years 4 months
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Thank you very much. Please bring the modulus thunder. I hope to see some old friends.
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16 years 7 months
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Great news indeed. The Obama show was so wonderful. NYE streaming on Sirius sounds awesome right now. Very excited! Going to go and treat 2 friends to tickets and hotel with us! awesome the number of venues and dates!! Truckin' to Buffalo from Ohio...
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16 years 5 months
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I'll be at both! I knew they had to play the spectrum again before it closes down! ~*Standing on the moon with nothing left to do, a lovely view of Heaven but I'd rather be with you*~
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17 years 3 months
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Can't wait!Peace,Gigi
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16 years 2 months
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...say, someplace that's within a few hours drive to a Dead show. Some of you 'heads have like six shows within an easy drive. I'm looking at eight hours to Greensboro, or 5-1/2 hours to Chicago (and that's driving all the way through Chicago, brrrrrr) Fingers crossed for a festival tour, I could tolerate the Manchester fuzz if the boys play Bonnaroo. You Northeasters have a good time! ********************************************* I have a sigfile! --> www.kindveggieburritos.com *********************************************
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16 years
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I have 5 shows picked out,hope I can make them all.I would love it if they did a summer tour with the Allman bros, Warren can handle it. Summer tour with the Dead and ABB,Please someone make that happen, Peace Tina
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15 years 9 months
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Strap a retread to my feet. Just like the old days a nice little Spring northeast tour. Good to see the guys touring together again with Warren. Been truckin' to shows since "77 and, the last tour with Warren (check out 8/01/04 Saratoga Springs NY Jerry's birthday) was as close as you can get....to Jerry. Peace and Love. If you get confused listen to the music play. "Oh if a man tried To take his time on earth And prove before he died What one man's life could be worth I wonder what would happen To this world."
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17 years 4 months
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Great news of course, but I'm bummed that there is no Detroit date (yet?). If one is not scheduled, then Chicago here I come!!
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16 years 4 months
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Today's dead mail really made my day - hoping to journey to Denver, LA and Shoreline - a most welcome excuse to get out of the AZ heat!
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15 years 9 months
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who's got my phatty toasted cheese?I hope to be at the Albany and Philly shows! Just worried about getting shut out even faster than the phish Hampton shows
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17 years 4 months
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from post-Jerry shows, seeing only Phil & Friends twice since the Capt. left us. One show was great, the other so-so. However, I will take the plunge seeing as how the Boys seem genuinely psyched about getting back together, and Warren Haynes is an excellent choice (accepting that no one can or will ever replace JG in my eyes). So, its off to the Nassau Coliseum and MSG, just like the old days!!! "Let there be songs to fill the air."
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15 years 9 months
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Except for a few lucky folks it looks like they are only playing one night at each venue. In 2003 and 2004 they sold out Red Rocks 5 nights. Pepsi Center only holds about twice what Red Rocks holds. It just seems like they could play at least 2 nights at the Pepsi Center, but hey I am not complaining (well a little). Can't wait though, maybe we can get out to Cali. Last time I saw the Grateful Dead at Shoreline was in 1989. Man that would be crazy to get back out there. Actually I saw them in 91 there too or was it 92? Aye aye aye! Happy New Years my Deadhead sisters and brothers hope to see you this spring!! "I can tell the queen of diamonds by the way she shines. Come to daddy on an inside straight, well I've got no chance of losing this time"
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17 years 4 months
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I'm so excited to get out and see the boys again, it's been far too long! I tried to get up to SAn Fran for New YEars, but unfortunately the finances wouldn't allow it, but look out Los Angeles her I come!!! Wish they were coming to San DIego again...the venue down here is soooo much better than the Forum, but hey at least it's only a 2 hour drive away. And to top it off it's a Saturday night!!!! I can't wait, I'm giddy with excitement. Time to break out my dancing skirts! Take care everyone and hope see you all this Spring!
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15 years 9 months
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Posted: January 1, 2009 - 2:16amJimmy Herring? I thought he was on? Silentlyscreaming - Jimmy Herring plays with Widespread Panic. Actually we saw them 2 shows over this New Years (Pepsi Center, Dec 30th and 31st) and let me tell you Jimmy was on fire those nights. Mind blowing! I highly suggest finding those shows and downloading them. "I can tell the queen of diamonds by the way she shines. Come to daddy on an inside straight, well I've got no chance of losing this time"
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16 years 10 months
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This is the best way to start 2009!!!!Wish they were playing at Red Rocks, but then, maybe that will be a summer surprise. I went to the Ratdog & ABB show at Red Rocks this summer, and remembered how much I miss the band. When Jerry first passed, I couldn't imagine ever going to a show without him - so I haven't been to see The Dead since - I'm way past ready!
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15 years 11 months
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Wow --- I am just looking at my bank account and the tour dates. I am lucky enough to live in Washington DC, and am going to have a great spring traveling to the weekend shows. Does anyone know how the pre-sale is going to work? "See the Dog Star Shine --- I got a feeling I got no time to lose"
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15 years 9 months
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I agree with MarkintheDark, Greensboro should not be the lone booking for the region. I'm hoping Charlotte gets added in the show sites.
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16 years 2 months
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...to rest up after the last shows in Cali (although I'm guessing some Cali shows will get added), then they'll be off to Bonnaroo to start off the Festival Season - they'll hit all the ones that Phil&friends and Ratdog and Mickey + whoever have done for the last few years. At least that's what I'm hoping (although Bonnaroo is more of a hassle than it's worth, anymore. Big ol' corporate mall). All those shows in the northeast, they've basically ignored the southeast, and Chicago is the only Midwest show. Denver, then a couple for the Left Coast. If I can't pull off a trip to Chicago I guess I'll be missing this tour, Greensboro's 500 miles away and I don't see being able to afford it. ********************************************* I have a sigfile! --> www.kindveggieburritos.com *********************************************
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15 years 9 months
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Does anyone have an info about doing some vending at the LA and Shoreline shows? We are Spirit Wind Cafe, the espresso cafe. You might remember us from Chief Hosa campground in 2003.
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16 years 1 month
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Anyone know how they will handle Tapers? I was skunked at the Obama Rally and will be doing a majority of this NE swing....I picked a good time to move back from Texas!! Happy New Year to All