We love DSO and John K was an inspiration for our group

[TheGarciaProject]

Hey all, This is Mik, of The Garcia Project. I've been lurking around the forums and thought I would drop in and say hello. Way back in 2002 (I think?) I was at The Gathering of the vibes and it was the first time I saw Melvin play with John K - as DSO was headlining....They did a Jerry Band set that brought me right back to the old days of Jerry Band tour. I was backstage and met Melvin that night but I also walked John from the stage to his trailer with his guitars. We chatted for a while and I told him that I thought he and Melvin sounded great and would love to hear more of it. He said he loved it too but was very busy with DSO...Then I quipped that I might have to start a "Jerry Band" to keep it going....He said Go for it! He was so kind and nice to talk to. And now he's back playing with Melvin! Love it!

Since then, I met up with Kat Walkerson, who subbed in for Cheryl and sang with Shirley for a few shows with Melvin and JGB (Stu Allen was lead at that time). I had just started The Garcia Project (2010) and Kat joined the band for our second show and onward! We both loved how DSO did the GD sets lists and we started doing actual Jerry Band set lists with the same style, arrangement and feel of the original. We built the original gear and were gifted guitars from Andy Logan (Grateful Guitars Foundation) and since then we have played many shows with Melvin Seals, Jacklyn LaBranch, Maria Muldaur and Buzz Buchannon, covering sets from 1976 through 1995!

Now in 2025, we have assembled the absolute best band and crew and are out touring again through the USA. We all absolutely love and miss Jerry and the experience that was a Jerry Garcia Band show. We strive to recreate that feeling at every show. We even have a couple of shows on our March tour with the one and only Jackie LaBranch! We love singing with her and her voice brings us right back.....

I saw my first GD show back in 1987 at Silver Stadium in Rochester, NY - Right after the show my friend asked me what I thought...I said it was amazing, but what if Jerry sang every song??!! He said to me, Go see Jerry Band.....I sad WHAAAAAT??? There is a Jerry Band? And the following year I saw my first Jerry Band shows at Great Woods. Hooked ever since. Ive always missed that rich beautiful tone of his guitar playing and his soulful voice and presence, 

Anyway, we've done a lot over that last 15 years (including recording an album of Jerry Garcia spiritual songs called SPIRIT with Maria Muldaur, Jackie LaBranch, Peter Rowan, Jason Crosby and more....) --- and its our mission in life to continue on the musical legacy, keeping true to the original arrangements, feel and style that Jerry laid down from 1976-1995. I hope y'all will give us a shot if we play your neck of the woods and Im happy to answer any questions or tell any fun stories. We absolutely LOVE DSO and sometimes get to see them when our tours cross or we are on the same bill....Cotter has even run sound for a few times. Love the band, the community and the music! We would love to join y'all at the Jubilee or Jamaica some day.....Peace, love and music.... Mik 

[chuckvegas]

So good to see you here. You guys truly help carry the torch. Through this world of trouble the music reminds us we got to love one another.

[BillK522]

Welcome.  

[Island Bro]

Thanks for Chiming in Mik…

Love what you guys have been up to and have caught a few of your shows in recent years and thoroughly enjoyed…looking forward to a few more up the NW next month! 
Thanks for getting out there and keeping that music rolling 🤩

[2muchfun]

Welcome, the responses of the people posting so far is testimonial enough for me. DSO and its community has been transformative in my trip. Great idea posting here.

Back in 1977 when the bus came by, GD tickers were not an easy score, but you could get JGB tix for $6 and get first 10rows consistently to watch Jerry and the magic.

Look forward to catching one of your shows soon.

[Tea]

 Hey Now Mik!  Saw you guys in Raleigh back in November at Kings and it was a fine show!  Hope you come on back south of the Mason/Dixon in 2025

[Rude]

On 2/4/2025 at 1:26 PM, TheGarciaProject said:

Hey all, This is Mik, of The Garcia Project. I've been lurking around the forums and thought I would drop in and say hello. Way back in 2002 (I think?) I was at The Gathering of the vibes and it was the first time I saw Melvin play with John K - as DSO was headlining....They did a Jerry Band set that brought me right back to the old days of Jerry Band tour. I was backstage and met Melvin that night but I also walked John from the stage to his trailer with his guitars. We chatted for a while and I told him that I thought he and Melvin sounded great and would love to hear more of it. He said he loved it too but was very busy with DSO...Then I quipped that I might have to start a "Jerry Band" to keep it going....He said Go for it! He was so kind and nice to talk to. And now he's back playing with Melvin! Love it!

Since then, I met up with Kat Walkerson, who subbed in for Cheryl and sang with Shirley for a few shows with Melvin and JGB (Stu Allen was lead at that time). I had just started The Garcia Project (2010) and Kat joined the band for our second show and onward! We both loved how DSO did the GD sets lists and we started doing actual Jerry Band set lists with the same style, arrangement and feel of the original. We built the original gear and were gifted guitars from Andy Logan (Grateful Guitars Foundation) and since then we have played many shows with Melvin Seals, Jacklyn LaBranch, Maria Muldaur and Buzz Buchannon, covering sets from 1976 through 1995!

Now in 2025, we have assembled the absolute best band and crew and are out touring again through the USA. We all absolutely love and miss Jerry and the experience that was a Jerry Garcia Band show. We strive to recreate that feeling at every show. We even have a couple of shows on our March tour with the one and only Jackie LaBranch! We love singing with her and her voice brings us right back.....

I saw my first GD show back in 1987 at Silver Stadium in Rochester, NY - Right after the show my friend asked me what I thought...I said it was amazing, but what if Jerry sang every song??!! He said to me, Go see Jerry Band.....I sad WHAAAAAT??? There is a Jerry Band? And the following year I saw my first Jerry Band shows at Great Woods. Hooked ever since. Ive always missed that rich beautiful tone of his guitar playing and his soulful voice and presence, 

Anyway, we've done a lot over that last 15 years (including recording an album of Jerry Garcia spiritual songs called SPIRIT with Maria Muldaur, Jackie LaBranch, Peter Rowan, Jason Crosby and more....) --- and its our mission in life to continue on the musical legacy, keeping true to the original arrangements, feel and style that Jerry laid down from 1976-1995. I hope y'all will give us a shot if we play your neck of the woods and Im happy to answer any questions or tell any fun stories. We absolutely LOVE DSO and sometimes get to see them when our tours cross or we are on the same bill....Cotter has even run sound for a few times. Love the band, the community and the music! We would love to join y'all at the Jubilee or Jamaica some day.....Peace, love and music.... Mik 

got excited and pulled up your tour. Pretty much same as Dso. A stones throw from an ocean. There may a day soon that you or DSO comes within 12 hour drive. It’s a biz. Dso getting older. Gotta make that money while you can. I don’t hate the player. But the game can suck. Cheers. West and East coast is like wow $100 is cheap!!!