James Brown, dubbed the hardest workingman in show business, is long gone. If anyone were to carry the torch in the contemporary touring scene Karl Denson would be a chief contender.

One of the most exciting developments in progressive electronica is the return of acclaimed live breakbeat house trio The New Deal. Fans were thrilled when powerhouse musicians Jamie Shields (keyboards), Joel Stouffer (drums), and Dan Kurtz (bass) announced scattered dates earlier this year. It marked their return to touring after calling it to pursue other endeavors in 2011. The select fall and summer dates displayed the band in tiptop form with more onstage energy than ever. It appears that the band plans to continue reestablishing themselves in the genre they created.

GW: This is Dylan Muhlberg of Grateful Web here with Bay Area music legend Greg Anton. Greg began his professional career in the late 70s drumming with Keith and Donna Godchaux’s Heart of Gold Band. Later he cofounded the prolific Jam Band Zero. Since he’s participated in countless musical endeavors and projects. He’s a lawyer and an advocate for marijuana legalization. And now he’s an author. But instead of an autobiography he wrote a novel.

Bluegrass singer/songwriter Peter Rowan makes his way around the whole United States performing intimate gigs and festival headliners on a regular basis. Rowan is generally touring with multiple different projects at once and in the studio. He’s released four original albums since 2010 including with his bluegrass band, his Twang an’ Groove project and solo. The bluegrass icon began his career in 1965 when he was hired by founding father of bluegrass Bill Monroe into his Bluegrass Boys band.

In an exciting development as part of momentum leading up to the fiftieth anniversary of the Grateful Dead in 2015, founding drummer Bill Kreutzmann has been getting out there and playing electrifying gigs. Showing up as a surprise guest with friends like Les Claypool or the Jerry Garcia Tribute hosted by Steve Kimock. These California bay area appearances highlight a triumphant comeback for Kreutzmann. Additionally he premiers a brand new Billy & The Kids band next week at Warren Haynes Christmas Jam in Asheville, North Carolina.

Mill Valley’s Sweetwater Music Hall is one of Marin County, California’s select venues that is keeping the classic bay area jam-rock community connected. Many recall that Marin County was where every member of Grateful Dead had migrated to by the early 1970s for much needed solitude and separation from their iconized significance as the rock titans of Haight/Ashbury.

The world’s truly finest jam band resides in the Bay Area and generally plays exclusively there only. For years I have wanted to see a David Nelson Band show.

GW: This is Dylan Muhlberg of Grateful Web. I am joined by legendary music photographer Bob Minkin. Bob’s eye for capturing the perfect moment reveals his subjects with unparalleled intimacy. As a teenager of the mid-1970s, Bob began following the Grateful Dead extensively after a nearly two yearlong hiatus from touring. His tact and respect got him closer to the band than any photographer before him.

It’s hard to use the term super-group without a couple of obvious stigmas surfacing. It usually constitutes musicians who were sensationalized with other bands coming together to benefit off of the novelty of their collaboration with other already successful players. Often the results are under-inspired, a lucrative opportunity to make a quick buck off of an established name. Not every band assembled of already established players constitutes super group.

How many more Dead tribute bands does the scene really need? There’s truly already plenty out there. Even if the music is structured to be boundless and open for continuation, it seems like bands could better serve the music with an improvisational spirit, but playing originals instead of Dead covers. Indeed it takes a special group of musicians who understand the music inside out and have the ability to diversify the extensive catalogue instead of simply parroting it.