Umphrey's McGee Rocks the House in Virginia on the 19th Anniversary of the Band's First Show. Grateful Music Writer and Photographer Neil Peek was there to capture the festivities.

Umphrey's McGee can throw a PARTY!  At The National (@thenationalva) on Saturday night was no exception. It was a birthday party of sorts, the celebration of 19 years of shows. The crowd was excited to be a part of this anniversary of Umphrey’s first show on January 21, 1998 in South Bend, Indiana. There is no recording of this first show but there is no doubt it was Umphrey’s we know but maybe a few less lights.

Friday night was a roof raising 2-set show that left many wondering what Saturday would bring. The word was out after the show thatthe bar had been raised, “Umph is playing one of the best sets I've ever heard from them”, left many scurrying for tickets for Saturday’s SOLD OUT show.

Umphrey’s opened Saturday’s show with the hard pounding “Conduit”, a taste to get things primed for this epic night. Moving through the rest of the set to close with a classic “Live and Let Die” by Paul McCartney & Wings. This was an amazing closer to an amazing set on Saturday night but left the fans wondering what could they bring for the second set of their 19th year.

The second set brought many Umphrey’s crowd pleasers, new and old, “JaJunk”, 2001 debuted,  “The Fussy Dutchman” debuted in 1999 and not often heard “Wine, Women, and Song” that was finished off by a “JaJunk” finish to close the show. 

What encore would Umphrey’s finish the Saturday show with? No other than “Phil’s farm”, an original that was introduced that night 19 years ago.

This show was one of the best and important nights for Ump fans. It was very apparent from the minute the doors of The National opened;  the excitement and energy was constant all night. The crowd was in unison with the band every step of the way. 

The fans Encored the night with their “THANK YOU” to Umphrey’s McGee. A Classic!

Umphrey's McGee

The National

Richmond,VA 1/21/17

Set 1: Conduit > Walletsworth, Nemo, Prowler > Wife Soup, Speak Up > Live and Let Die

Set 2: The Crooked One > Make It Right, The Linear > Educated Guess, JaJunk > Mail Package, The Fussy Dutchman, Women Wine and Song > JaJunk

Encore: Phil's Farm

Words & Photos by: Neil Peek

Edited by:Greg Heffelfinger

© 2017 Grateful Music LLC

And to All a Good Night- The Warren Haynes' 28th Annual Christmas Jam 12/9-10/16 Asheville,NC.

 The Christmas Jam Gift Dec 9/10 
 Orange Peel and US Cellular Center - Asheville, NC

Warren Haynes’ 28th Annual Christmas Jam was a Gift for all. The annual benefit raised $2 Million for the Asheville, NC area Habitat for Humanity, fans were given a very special gift from the many spectacular musicians, and amazing collaborations on Friday Dec. 9th and Saturday Dec. 10th…… the musicians clearly were in the giving spirit.  

Twas the night before Christmas Jam, Jammers were arriving from far and near, with hopes that Jam would soon be here. The Orange Peel and WNCW hosted the Pre-Jam show, it kicked off the weekend of gifts for the fans. Warren opened with a Merry “Thank You” and the show began. All the Jammers were nestled all snug in their spots with visions of dancing bears in their thoughts.

Now, Warren Haynes! Now, American Babies! Now, George Porter Jr, Terence Higgins, Eric Krasno and Danny Louis! On, Jamey Johnson and Allison Krauss! On, Marcus King Band! On, Bob Weir and Friends; Holly Bowling, Tom Hamilton, Duane Trucks, and Don Was! On Gov’t Mule and Friends! Now dance away! Dance away! Dance away all! 

  

Saturday night was upon us and The US Cellular Center was stirring, not a frown in the house. Twas no longer the night before Christmas Jam, the day had arrived. The seats were filling by the stage with care, in hopes that Warren and friends soon would be there.The lights on the new-fallen stage show, gave luster to the instruments below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but Warren Haynes and a roar of a cheer. Warren reminded us of these gifts and why we are here.

 

So down with the house lights, the Jammers they flew, the stage full of musicians and Warren Haynes too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard in my ear, the sounds of Christmas Jam for the 28th year.

Favorite Christmas Jam Gifts-

American Babies - Old Time Religion 

Marcus King Band - Keep Moving 

Holly Bowling - Sugaree 

       Warren Haynes -  The Real Thing

       Jamey Johnson and Allison Krauss - When You Say Nothing At All
       
       Porter, Krasno, Medeski, Higgins, Marsalis and Marcus King - Just Kissed            My Baby 
  
       Michael McDonald with Krasno - Takin' It To The Streets

          
       Bob Weir - Easy to Slip 

       Bob Weir/Allison Krauss - Peggy-O

       Last Waltz Band - The Weight

          
       Last Waltz Band - Up On Cripple Creek

Last Waltz Band - King Harvest

     Gov’t Mule - 32/20 Blues (Rocky Lindsley, Mike Barnes, Marcus King & Smoky Greenwell)

Christmas Jam 2016 provided the fans with some of the best collaborations we have heard. There are many significant call outs; Jamey Johnson and Allison Krauss duet silenced the crowd for 2 nights; Holly Bowling’s magical arrangements on piano where something not often heard; Bob Weir with Warren Haynes, Holly Bowling and Branford Marsalis; Bob Weir and Allison Krauss; The Last Waltz Band with Bob Weir and Allison Krauss; Gov’t Mule, two drummers playing in Grateful Dead style with Paul Riddle (from Marshall Tucker Band) and Duane Trucks for Dreams and Mountain Jam. Needless to say, faces were appropriately melted in Asheville.

 

 

I heard him exclaim, as there was a fade of the lights;  Happy Christmas Jam to all, and to all a good-night! 

Words and Photos by: Neil Peek

Edited by: Greg Heffelfinger

© 2016 Grateful Music LLC

Warren Haynes Pre Jam has Kicked off at The Orange Peel in Asheville, NC. Stay tuned as Neil Peek keeps us informed

Warren Haynes Pre Jam has Kicked off at The Orange Peel in Asheville, NC. Stay tuned as Neil Peek keeps us informed

 

Warren Haynes kicks off Christmas Jam  Pre-Jam at The Orange Peel in Asheville, NC with Bob Weir, Allison Krause, Jamey Johnson, Marcus King Band, Tom Hamilton's American Babies. Stay tuned as the party of the month unfolds.