the entire Grateful Dead community, in the best way possible, with the following status update: "Music is an adventure. Jams are a journey. And my new band, Billy and the Kids, will take you there." The core band, as introduced by Kreutzmann, will feature keyboardist Aron Magner (the Disco Biscuits), guitarist Tom Hamilton (American Babies), and bassist Reed Mathis (TLG).

Billy and the Kids will make their official debut at the Warren Haynes' Christmas Jam in Asheville, NC on Saturday, December 13. There's been no word yet about an anticipated tour, but rumors about certain dates have been popping up.

We are also pleased to have the honor of unveiling the cover art of Bill's memoirs, Deal: My Three Decades of Drumming, Dreams, and Drugs with the Grateful Dead, rightAnd then I see Jimmy Herring; and the drummer from the Meters, Zig Modeliste. I love that interaction. That’s the highest part of music for me… when people break out of their band structure and get together with other people." That said, Bill expresses a strong hope that the remaining members of the Grateful Dead will convene to celebrate the 50th Anniversary.

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Bob Weir

Of all the members of the Grateful Dead, Bob Weir has historically been the one most unceasingly committed to life on the road, a life he's lived since he was still in his teens in the mid-1960s. In addition to playing with the Dead for every one of those 2300-plus shows, he found time for such side projects as Kingfish, the Bob Weir Band,