The Band
Bill Butler - Bass and Vocals Photo: Kristen Hornbeck
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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Max Katz - Keyboards Photo: Kristen Hornbeck
Max started playing piano at the age of 9 and studied music at Purdue University. He was a member of the touring band Somebody from 1998 to 2000, and has played in various rock and jazz groups before and since. His musical influences include Chick Corea, Brent Mydland and Duke Ellington. His love for the Grateful Dead and their music was realized upon seeing them in concert in 1995. Max writes the setlists for the band. If there's something you want to hear, ask him!
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Laurie Lester - Vocals
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: Kristen Hornbeck
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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Joseph Waldecker - Drums
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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