Grand Rapids Griffins Grateful Dead Night 1-21-2023

photos: Dan Terpstra, Matt Cole, Dave Martin

What a cool night (literally)!  Raising the Dead arrived in Grand Rapids for our first gig in Furniture City. The game was sold out with a 10,500 capacity crowd and we were excited to play some good ole' Grateful Dead for the fans.  After setting up and grabbing a nosh across the street, we prepared for a 5:50 performance. Some misunderstanding about the door procedures meant we'd be playing while fans entered, but we made the most of it.  After all, we had these AMAZING official CCM Griffins/Grateful Dead jerseys that Bill had negotiated as part of our compensation for the gig.  The hockey players also had them, but they were soon to be auctioned for charity, where prices ranged from $500-1200 depending on the player. The band was asked by many fans if they could buy the jerseys off us, and Dave starting saying "for $1000, it's yours." 

Our friend Dan Terpstra from terpstraphoto.com was hired to be our personal paparazzi for the night, at a cost of 5 tickets and an all-access pass.  Dan's wife and my high school best friend Michele had turned 50 the previous day, so they were in a party mood.  Turns out the whole crowd was in a party mood!  After our 40 minute set pre-game, we were prepared to play two 14 minute sets during the period breaks.  A staff member told us that during the first break, they cancelled all on-ice events because the crowd was so into the show! Wow! Another staff member told us that in her 26 years, they never let a band play during the period breaks (not sure if that one is true, but happy for the enthusiasm).  What is certain is that with awesome sound reinforcement from Kim Denton and T Andrew Nicodem, the band was kicking on all cylinders and gave a rocking show, be sure to check it out below. 

1-21-2023 Grand Rapids Griffins Grateful Dead Night, Grand Rapids, MI
I: Sugaree, Uncle John's Band > Playin in the Band > Morning Dew > Playin in the Band > Uncle John's Band
II: China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider
II: Feel Like A Stranger > Franklin's Tower