The Wheel - A Musical Celebration of Jerry Garcia
Musical friends of Jerry Garcia since 1962 come together to play his music

Jesse McReynolds, Garrett McReynolds, Steve Thomas
Peter Rowan Blue Grass Band: Peter Rowan, Jody Stecher, Keith Little, Paul Knight
David Nelson & Friends, Electric: David Nelson, Barry Sless, Robin Sylvester, John Molo, Mookie Siegel
and Special Guests

On Saturday, December 4^th at The Fillmore in San Francisco, musicians who have been part of Jerry Garcia's musical life over the last 48 years bring us full circle together.

Set up in festive cabaret style with reserved seating on the floor, The Fillmore, with its beauty and iconic connection to Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead, sets the stage for this special occasion.  At the 6:00 - 7:30 pre-concert reception, guests will enjoy hearty finger foods and beverages and reconnection with friends and family. The generous reception/concert ticket purchase of $150 or $500, of which all but $70 is a charitable contribution, will fund Rex Foundation grant making.  Guests will receive a print of the event poster designed by Corey and Catska Ench.  Reception/concert tickets are available through the Rex Foundation at www.rexfoundation.org or 415-561-3135 and gdtstoo.  Concert only tickets are $45, available through TicketMaster  as of Sunday, October 31st, 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time.  Concert doors open at 7:30, with music beginning at 8:00 p.m.

In 1962, Jerry Garcia began playing the banjo and exploring bluegrass music, forming a band called the Hart Valley Drifters that included David Nelson on guitar. In 1964, Jerry and his pal Sandy Rothman packed up a tape recorder and took off for the American South on a bluegrass pilgrimage, especially wanting to see "Jim and Jesse" (McReynolds), of Dothan, Alabama.  Jerry was delighted to see them perform and get Jesse's autograph, and he held Jesse's mandolin playing and music in high esteem for many years. Jim and Jesse went on to legendary status in the bluegrass world, with more than 45 years at the Grand Ole Opry, Grammy nominations and awards, and membership in any Hall of Fame that means anything to this music.

Meanwhile, in 1969, as the Grateful Dead released Aoxomoxoa, they also turned to their own musical roots.  Jerry, wanting to play his new pedal steel guitar, reconnected with old friend John "Marmaduke" Dawson and with Nelson, forming New Riders of the Purple Sage. As the Grateful Dead continued to evolve, in 1973, he formed another bluegrass band, Old and in the Way, with David Grisman, John Kahn, Peter Rowan and Vassar Clements.

Fast forward to today: David Nelson and Friends fire up fans with their electric sounds, and the New Riders play their past favorites along with new songs written by David and Robert Hunter.  Grammy Award winner and five-time Grammy nominee Peter Rowan is a bluegrass singer/songwriter whose career spans over five decades; his continuous stream of original recordings, collaborative projects and tours has garnered a devoted, international fan base.  

Now Jesse has just released Songs of the Grateful Dead - A Tribute to Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter.  Collaborating on this special album of 12 classic Dead songs, from Black Muddy River and Ripple to Franklin's Tower and Standing on the Moon, is none other than David Nelson.  And, to top it off, there's a brand-new McReynolds-Hunter tune called Day by Day.  Check out the music and get a sampling of Jesse McReynolds' talents at http://woodstockrecords.com/jesse_CD.shtml.

On December 4th, the musicians bring us full circle in a tribute to Jerry Garcia's musical legacy.  Join us to celebrate the music and where it will take us next. 

Furthering what Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead started 26 years ago, the Rex Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization, endeavors to fund grassroots programs that are often under the radar of larger funding entities, yet work in bold, innovative ways to carry out essential work toward a healthy environment, promotion of the arts, protection of indigenous cultures, assisting others less fortunate, building strong communities, and educating children and adults.  The Rex Foundation has distributed $8.6 million in grants to over 1,000 programs across the U.S. and internationally, while also carrying out fundraising initiatives that foster creativity and positive community connections.  Visit www.rexfoundation.org for a complete list of grantees and information about current initiatives.