Season 2, Show 3, on November 15, 2025
Text and photos by Sylvia Mallory
We were thrilled to welcome the all-star band Deadgrass to New Song for our November concert. Through the lens of bluegrass, Deadgrass celebrates the music of the legendary Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead, drawing from Old & in the Way,the Jerry Garcia Band, Grisman/Garcia, Jerry’s Jug Band days, and iconic tunes popularized by the Dead. They delivered an electrifying performance that showcased their collective talents as versatile vocalists and superb multi-instrumentalists.
Mandolinist, acoustic guitarist, and vocalist Matt Turk served as amiable host for the evening’s two well-paced sets, joined by C Lanzbom on electric and acoustic guitars and vocals; Dave Richards on upright bass and vocals; Kris Bauman on banjo, sax, and vocals; and Kensuke Shoji on fiddle. Among the show’s early highlights were covers of the Rolling Stones’ and the Flying Burrito Brothers’ “Wild Horses” and the quick-tempo traditional foot-tapper “Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms.” With the audience warmed up, the band mixed the beat tastefully as they sequenced crowd pleasers like the Grateful Dead’s “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo” and “Uncle John’s Band,” along with Peter Rowan’s bluegrass standard “Midnight Moonlight,” popularized by Old & in the Way. The band shifted emotional gears with the Tom T. Hall tune “Deal,” whose lyrical musings on the uncertainties and risks of not only playing poker but also navigating life itself injected a sobering note.
This show saw the expansion of the Reed Room’s seating to 146, and every chair was filled for what was another New Song sellout. When the music stopped, listeners expressed gratitude for Deadgrass’s joyful performance and for the convenience of hearing headlining artists live, right here in town.
After taking a break in December, we will resume season 2 with what will surely be an exciting show on January 17. The stars will be the gifted, multi-award-winning singer-songwriters Erin Ash Sullivan and Rupert Wates. You will find additional information (and can buy tickets!) here.
The New Song team wishes you peace, happiness, and good health for the holidays and the new year. We look forward to seeing you in 2026!