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Would you even know me if you did not know I was a tad nutty? Thanks for allowing me to share some darkness. Internal battles on forums probably not the best idea, but you had to like how i connected so many songs to so much of life. A struggle for sure, but what is life with out sharing both the bad and glad. Otherwise it would just be Facebook...:(. Thanks for the reach out:)!! Probably could of just posted this instead.

Thanks Tea, I needed some realignment. You're right about having a bigger space and the Taft isn't reserved seating and it's on a Friday, so it's going to be a treat.

Just my take - I'm a bit of a DSO fluffer so take this with the requisite grain of salt: Skipping the Taft? Unless its fixed seating, I would much prefer a bigger venue to see DSO so that there is ample space to dance. The dancers have their spot, the drinkers have theirs as do the socialites. Dealing with cramped confines of 930, Orange Peel, or The Vic does way more to detract from the experience than them playing a more cavernous venue. At many DSO stops those different crowds get shoved into a small space, get all squeezed together, and then everyone is left to fend for what they want from where they are forced to be. My .02. Comparing Jeff or JK to Garcia and Page is like apples and watermelons - probably for most living guitarists for that matter. JK is a founding member and the one responsible for many of us getting to reconnect to something that we thought was lost forever. His unbelievable melodic phrasing and sublime vocals were the jumping off points in keeping the flame of the GD alive. It’s probably not just dumb luck that Phil and Bobby tapped him for the Furthur slot. Furthur was fraught with its own limitations (Phil singing, Shatnerizations, back-up cheese vocals, excruciating pace) but it could’ve been better if Phil didn’t have to be the alpha and let JK take the reins. With the context of present-day will I say this: I love JK - he was the closest thing to Jerry I had heard and wasn’t really sure DSO would survive without him but his departure was the best thing that ever happened to this band - IMO. While JK seemed irreplaceable, the installation of Jeff showed me that more was and is possible. It is different though. We lost a unique melody but what we got was a guitarist that is willing to take some serious risks. Jeff’s not afraid to get down and dirty and let it fly. Case-and-point: Old-School shows didn’t surface until Jeff got here. What time-period of the GD defines this music for me? 68 – 78. Jeff has this span down cold and very few come even remotely close. It’s clear to these ears that his playing has evolved over the 7+ years even if you don’t hear it. If you don’t, that’s cool – I might be biased. I just know that the talent and cohesion of the rest of the band has made everyone better. Eaton, Skip, Barraco, Dino, Rob, Lisa (be still my heart) – they are the best in the business! My musical taste lacks variety and diversity – so I’m probably the wrong person to give an honest assessment. I will say that I’m so happy to see more musicians pouring their time and energy into this music. I’ve seen some regional bands give this music it’s due and had some truly excellent experiences. Since my role is father, husband and exploited human capital, I don’t have nearly as much time to see the music that I love as I used to. DSO is nationwide and I can only take my spins when they’re in the neighborhood. That’s why I appreciate it when other bands come through to play this music at cozy little bar-rooms . It ain’t DSO, but I can plug into the energy and take it as far as it can go – and sometimes a step or two further. Here’s to more and more musicians (and their children) getting bitten by the bug. Things are looking good for this music but I hope we end up with an embarrassment of riches as the years flash by.