photo: Detroit Red Wings
The Band
Bill Butler - Bass and Vocals Photo: Dan Terpstra
Bill started playing the bass guitar professionally at the age of 15, and has made a career of it. Some of the local acts he's played in include Willie and the Whitewalls, Knockout, and Midnight Blue. Bill was the original bassist for The Killer Flamingos. He first became a big fan of west coast bands, especially the Grateful Dead, back in high school. He decided to put this band together to have fun and recreate the feeling of being at a Dead concert. Bill manages the band, hosts the rehearsals, and spends time and money constantly improving our awesome wall of sound.
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Matthew Cole - Guitar and Vocals
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Laurie Lester - Vocals Photo: Dan Terpstra
Laurie Lester was captured with the magic of music at an early age, attending bluegrass music festivals with her parents as a child. She continued her love of music with church and school choir. Later on, she honed her Grateful Dead skills with bands such as The People Movers, Dead Again, and Deep Space Six. Laurie likes to sing the blues, and has a special fondness for the music of the Jerry Garcia Band and The Rolling Stones.
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Dave Martin - Guitar and Vocals Photo: Dan Terpstra
Dave Martin taught middle school choir for 25 years before recently retiring to be a full time musician. Dave has performed with The Classics, The Bel Airs, The Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church band, and various rock and jazz ensembles throughout Detroit. Dave has published 3 albums of original songs, including 2021's "The Crown Sessions." In 2012, Dave was named the Southern Great Lakes Symphony's Downriver Idol. Dave manages the band website and social media accounts.
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Chaim Tolwin - Drums |
Joseph Waldecker - Drums & Vocals |
 Photo: Dan Terpstra
Chaim has been obsessed with rhythm from as early as he can remember and eventually began private drum lessons at nine years old. He continued his studies and played through grade school, eventually moving to New York City in 1994 where he delved into the ocean of global inspiration that the city had to offer. During the following 16 years in NYC as a full time drummer, Chaim Studied with some legendary players, most notably Joe Morello (Dave Brubeck), Bernard Purdy, and Baba Ole Jagun (Fela Kuti) and played in a gazilion bands including The Asiko Afrobeat Orchastra, The One Tree Reggae Band, and his own acid jazz project, Mantis. In 2011 Chaim and his wife moved to the top of a mountain in the Catskills and delved deep into sound and rhythm wizardry, studying under intergalactic sound Luminaries such as John Medeski, John Billeau, Billy Martin and Cyro Baptista. During that time, Chaim also toured the tristate area with a number of local acts. In 2021 Chaim moved back to Michigan with his wife and two boys, where he continues to hone his craft, playing regularly with Raising the Dead, and other local groups.
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 Photo: Dan Terpstra
Joseph started playing drums with his brother, father and godfather at the age of 13, and found himself gigging regularly with high school bands at the age of 15. He first found his love of the Dead's music at a Bob Weir and Ratdog show in March of 2008, and has been playing their tunes ever since. He made a name for himself playing with Michigan bands that include Feral Ground, People Movers, and Nina and the Buffalo Riders. His biggest influences include John Bonham, Benny Benjamin, Joe Russo, Max Roach, Buddy Rich, Richard "Pistol" Allen and Gene Krupa.
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RTD is joined by the greatest keyboardists on the scene including Justin Lee, Alex Gauthier, Dave on Keys, and Woody Rose
