THE GRASS IS DEAD

It is well known that roots music is passed down from generation to generation. From grandparents to parents and from parents to their children. The inevitable collision between the traditional past and the enormous catalogue of modern music, both spiritual and psychedelic, is the fertile plain that sprouted the roots of The Grass Is Dead. Initially formed as an acoustic offshoot of one of the country’s most beloved GD tribute bands, Crazy Fingers, The Grass Is Dead has evolved over the past ten years into a juggernaut of sound and a festival favorite up and down the east coast, to Colorado and back. Their live performances bring into view a traditional sensibility of bluegrass, swing, and folk music launched directly onto a psychedelic paintbrush of modern influences, most importantly, the music of the Grateful Dead. Captivating audiences with their unique interpretations and thoughtful arrangements of songs by the GD, Jerry Garcia, and many others, as well as their extensive file of traditional roots music at their command, The Grass Is Dead are very much alive and well, rocking out and and picking their way across this great country. 

"At the core of The Grateful Dead is the heart of American music, which is bluegrass and folk. You cannot hide behind these two genres. What you get in the studio is what you get onstage. And it's that vulnerability and honesty that sets the tone and attitude apart from the haphazard and polished nature of pop radio. Putting their music through the prism of string music, The Grass Is Dead showcases how Jerry & Co. buried innumerable gems of wisdom — sonically and spiritually — in the rich tapestry of their melodies and lyrics, all of which radiates in intimacy and inclusiveness of The Grass Is Dead when they stand in front of the microphone, and also the unknown night of curiosity and exploration that they seek out and grasp with such ease." — Garret K. Woodward, Music Editor - The Smoky Mountain News , Rolling Stone Contributor

“The Grass Is Dead allows me to play both traditional and Dead-like vibes on their show. It’s great energy and intent and we know a million tunes between us. They really play bluegrass, yet they also are Deadheads. Their music is not just rock spiced up with bluegrass instruments. They have well-thought-out arrangements that draw on bluegrass but are accepted by even the most hardcore Dead fan. I never feel like I’m playing in a Grateful Dead cover band when I’m with them. Because of their intention and the way they put the songs together, it’s a real tribute to both bluegrass music and the Grateful Dead at the same time.”
 
— Rev. Jeff Mosier

grassisdead.com

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JOSH DANIEL

Start time: 08:00 PM

Josh Daniel is North Carolina singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose passion and enthusiasm are evident every time he takes the stage. Danieldescribes his sound as “Rock n Roll” but it’s much broader than that…  Josh is able to mold his influences into a unique sound that is entirely his own. Raised on the vinyl of the 1970’s where Soul and Rock n Roll played equal parts, Josh’s repertoire is stunning, and estimates he knows “well over 1000” cover songs along with countless original compositions which range from complex bluegrass instrumentals to full blown pop classics.

Blending rock n roll with bluegrass, funk and soul music with a reggae backbeat, you never know which way he will lead the crowd. By the tender age of 19 Daniel had a full length CD of original music under his belt and performed hundreds of live shows. Since then he has released a catalog of music as a solo artist including the single “Still Standing” with legendary guitarist Charlie Hunter.  Following his incredible run of live-streaming everyday during the 2020/21 lockdown Daniel gained national recognition and was invited as a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show, NPR and was interviewed by Pollstar after he charted as the #8 live-streaming artist of 2020.

2022 brought several new singles as well as the full-length effort “Beautiful Mess” co-written with Grammy winner Charles Humphrey (Steep Canyon Rangers. Songs From The Road Band) . Josh’s next single “Melody” is due in spring 2023 and features guests Andy Thorne (Leftover Salmon) and Jeremy Garrett (Infamous Stringdusters). Charlotte Magazine also named Josh “Artist of The Year” in their annual “Best of The Best” Issue.

Josh has performed at many national events (MerleFest, FloydFest, Bristol Rhythm & Roots) and along the way has had the privilege collaborating on stage with John Cowan(The Doobie Brothers), Billy Strings, The Wood Brothers, Larry Keel and more,

Daniel’s solo live shows consist of his dynamic vocal range and acoustic skills along with a Digitech looper pedal that allows his improvisational mind to create a unique one-man-band that is like no other. Ever expanding and moving forward Josh’s music continues to push boundaries. In addition to leading a full band in all original sets, Josh also has an incredible Grateful Dead experience “Josh Daniel’s Grateful Band” that have been performing to big crowds all over the southeast the past few summers.

joshdanielmusic.com