On December 4, 1965, Jerry, Bob, Phil, Bill, and Pigpen first convened as the Grateful Dead to play as the house band for Ken Kesey and the Prankster's Acid Test in San Jose, California. The Dead went on to break records, bend minds, and build a community that continues to carry the torch today. Happy 50th Anniversary, Grateful Dead!

In the beginning days of Yonder Mountain String Band, dedicated fans helped support the emerging group by recording their shows and following Yonder on the road. Free archives of YMSB's live performances quickly spread like wild fire to music fans across the country, and what began with only a few individuals manifested into a community known at the Kinfolk. To this day, many Kinfolk still follow the band for strings of tour dates at a time.

Native Northern California musical gem Jackie Greene returned to another north state jewel, the classy stage of the Sierra Nevada Brewery Big Room in Chico for two sold-out shows on November 17 and 18 (this piece - photos and words - are about the 18th).

“Peace, Love, and Transcendental Folk” is what comes to mind as Dango Rose from Elephant Revival explains his band’s earthy roots and spiritual aspirations.  In light of the recent tragedy in their home state of Colorado, we talk about how music is just a small part of efforts to dissolve the fear and hate that sometimes fuel those who choose violence.  Local Colorado fans are excited to come together for the band’s two homecoming shows this weekend.

Fresh off the success of their first album, and taking first place in Rockygrass’ Best New Band Competition, Colorado natives, The Railsplitters got busy touring the US, meeting wider audiences, and of course, spending hours in the tour van! As you can imagine from five members traveling across the United States, the musical array pouring out of the van onto the open highway was wildly eclectic, crossing over genre and time.