photo: Detroit Red Wings
Get your tickets for Red Wings Grateful Dead Night 1-13-2024
The Band
From Lake Michigan to the Detroit River, RAISING THE DEAD is Michigan's Premiere Grateful Dead Tribute with over 7 years of experience helping fans shake their bones. Check out our upcoming gigs and our blog of every gig we've ever played. From private party gigs to headlining festivals to hosting special sporting events, RTD's dedicated musicians and on call sound and video crew are ready to scale for your event.
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 Photo: Dan Terpstra
Matthew Cole is a graduate of Cleveland Institute of Music. Matt played professionally in New York City during the early '90's before moving back to the Detroit area. His extensive rig and exceptional skill recreates the sound and feel of Jerry Garcia's guitar playing and tone.
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Alex Gauthier - Keyboards and Vocals
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI, Alex began his lifelong love of piano and music at the age of 4. Alex attended Michigan State University and at 18 began playing professionally in the local and statewide music scene, focusing on blues, funk, jam and rock. Playing often with many jazz and classical music students also imparted those influences on his playing style early on. Alex writes and produces original music, and is a passionate audio engineer and collector of vintage studio recording equipment. Over the last two decades Alex has performed as a member of more than a dozen bands of multiple genres, both cover and original, with a special passion for the Jam community and The Dead.
Dave Martin - Guitar and Vocals Photo: Michael Chojnowski
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 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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