I was fortunate enough to be the on-call bassist for Cosmic Charlie, an Athens, GA Grateful Dead cover band. Here was an opportunity to do Dead music with not only the proper instrumentation, but players bold enough to tackle this huge catalogue. I always tried to be comfortable with about 50 -60 songs for each run with these guys, but in true Grateful Dead fashion there were always surprises popping up in a set. I mostly played gigs in North and South Carolina, and Georgia including the coast.
The van rides were always hilarious, and though provoking, and I always respected their dedication to routing tours near Whole Foods, so they could eat well on the road. These guys are also masters at packing a van efficiently.
I became great friends with these guys, and performed with a few of them in other projects like the ECM jazz inspired Breathlanes, Country Rocker Boo Ray, and an early version of the Adam Klein band.
This recording hails from one of my favorite spots to play with Cosmic Charlie, The Visulite in Charlotte, NC. The venue had a funky piano backstage, and the AC in the green room was set to polar level. This version of the band includes Kane Stanley and Nathan Hale on Drums, Michael Wegner and John Miley on Guitars and vocals, and Jason Fuller on keys and vocals.
I sing lead for On the Road Again, The Other One, and the Promised Land.
I am not sure who the taper is here, but will gladly add credit.
See links below to catch these guys.
Join them on Facebook for dates and livestreams.
Photos below from a gig at the Georgia, Theatre in Athens, Georgia. Photos by Steve Limentani.
Special guests at this show included Shelly Lotus and Timi Conley.
