Fear not, ye Deadheads who failed to get tickets to Chicago. Another event to celebrate 50 years of the Grateful Dead is in the works, and it’s going to be one hell of a show. Dear Jerry: Celebrating the Music of Jerry Garcia will be held Thursday, May 14, at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. Former Dead members and bands that were influenced by the Dead will gather to pay tribute to the legendary frontman.
The bill is currently comprised of the following acts: Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann’s Billy & the Kids, Bob Weir, Bruce Hornsby, Buddy Miller, David Grisman, Eric Church, Greensky Bluegrass, Jimmy Cliff, Jorma Kaukonen, Los Lobos, Moe., O.A.R., Railroad Earth, The Disco Biscuits, Trampled By Turtles, Widespread Panic, Yonder Mountain String Band and Communion featuring Phil Lesh, Stu Allen, Grahame Lesh, Ross James, Alex Koford, and Jason Crosby. And if that’s not enough – even more performers are slated to be added.
The venue parking lot will open at 3:30 p.m., doors will open at 5:30 p.m, and the show is set to begin at 7 p.m.
Keith Wortman and Don Was – who are responsible for large-scale concert events to honor other musical greats like Johnny Cash, Levon Helm, Dr. John, Gregg Allman, Mavis Staples and Emmylou Harris – are putting together the concert. Wortman is the executive producer, and Was is the musical director, and he’ll lead an all-star band that will back the performers. The Jerry Garcia family is co-producing.
“It’s exciting to have so many phenomenal artists performing in this special musical tribute to my dad, Jerry Garcia!” Trixie Garcia said in a press release announcing the event. “‘DEAR JERRY: Celebrating the Music of Jerry Garcia’ speaks volumes to Jerry’s lasting influence in the ears and hearts of his fans and fellow musicians. Join us in celebrating the legacy that inspired so many.”
The concert will be filmed and recorded for distribution on both traditional and digital media.
There’s merch available already and the concert organizers are encouraging people to tweet “Jerry moments” using the hashtag #dearjerryconcert.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, March 13, via Ticketfly.com or by calling 877-4FLY-TIX. They can also be purchased in person at the venue box office. Those who have a Citi card will have access to a presale that will run from noon March 10 to 10 pm. March 12.
A percentage of the proceeds will go to the Rex Foundation, which has a broad mission to help underprivileged and indigenous people as well as promote a healthy environment and the arts. The nonprofit organization was formed in 1983 by members of the band with help from family and friends.
http://youtu.be/idUIhfmOkfI
