When IT ALL BEGAN

I was at Skipper's Smokehouse to see Uncle John's Band some time in early 2022.  Between sets I went to the bar. I am sitting there when the lead singer and bass player sit next to me. Although I had been to see the band often over the past 15 or so years, I had never spoken with them. I abruptly ask "Hey, how come you guys never play Gainesville?" They look at each other. They look at me. The singer, Rich Whiteley,  says "No one ever invited us."  I thought to myself, "I can solve that problem."

Problem solving: Keep your Day job

I had put together some rock and roll shows in college and knew the rudiments of it, but I have a real job too and needed help. I contacted a neighbor of mine. She is a singer and well connected in the local music scene and I knew she had an in at Heartwood Soundstage. Things moved really fast from here. I met Dave Melosh, owner, manager, chief bottle washer at Heartwood. Through his and his staffs efforts the first Grateful Gainesville Boogie was born.

2022 Spring Boogie: Looks Like rain

After lots of toil, effort, emotional and financial investment, the first Boogie was all set. Three great band were going to play the massive outdoor venue at Heartwood. And it rains. A cold rain. Kind of rain that gets into your bones and makes them crunch. NBD Heartwood has a fantastic indoor venue. The first band, Headstash, got us warmed up with their down beat grungy dead interpretations. The Shambles then delighted us with a full set of Steely Dan. Then Uncle John's Band brought down the house with two full force dead sets. We called it a success and started planning the next one.

2022 FAll Boogie: Promised Land

We had a lot more time to put it together and some traction as a local music event. We sought out some new bands. Some new bands sought us out. The show was expanded to two days. We had more vendors. And best of all it didn't rain. There was a huricane the day before but we are professional rockers. We got it done. Nightfall of Diamonds opened Friday night. Followed by Spirit of the Dead, and One Good Ring. Funkin' Grateful opened Saturday. Followed by Unlimited Devotion, and Uncle John's Band. The crowds were raucous and grateful.  

2023 Half Step Boogie: Hello baby, March 10

WOW!!! One Good Ring came over from east coast and threw down a fantastic show. Moved it inside due to rain. Great crowd.Thanks everyone. They will be back.

2023 Fools Boogie, march 31 & April 1

That went incredibally well. Friday Spirit of the Dead opened and are always fun/funky. Billy Gilmore and Friends came out with some cracking good tunes, and wonderful arrangements. The Big Boss man was hauntingly delightful. Saturday Funky Miracle brought The Meters heavy funk to boogie. Tamayo threw down a full set of Grateful Dead that they put together just for us and Uncle Johns Band play two fantastic set with THREE encores. Thanks to all the folks who showed up. We are gathering some momentum as an event and will keep moving further.

2023 Fall Boogie, November 10 and 11

We did it again!!! Friday opened with The Shambles minus Hoch. They were great with all the Steely Dan and everything else. Next, Ed Roth Plays Dead was the wildcard for the evening. Everyone was enthralled by the Jazz styled Grateful Dead set. And the Riders on the Storm people were still talking about the next day. Thanks Connie for brining Ed. To close out Friday our old friends and inspiration for starting this whole mess, Uncle John's Band wowed us with an extra long set. Love you guys. Saturday opened with Aisle 14 doing some dead and some originals. These guys are so much fun. Ahhhhh youth. The Glass Camels came next. The North Florida dead band has been doing this for over thirty years. They know what they are doing. Great set. We will have them back. Can't have all Grateful Dead, so The Funky Miracle came on to funk us up with their bass heavy Meters tribute. You guys are great. What can you say about Grass is Dead. So tight and precise. Their energy is addictive. They look like they are having more fun the we are. Can't wait to see them again.

2024 Rum spring Boogie, April 7

What a fantastic day. After much planning and preparation out first show at RUM138 came off without a hitch. We could not have asked for better weather. Headstash made another appearance at boogie. They played the innaugural one in April of 2022. Love you all. The Cosmic Jam from New Smyrna Beach followed up with an explosive set of Dead, Allman Brothers, origionals, and others. Can't wait to see them again. Waynard Scheller and Rainbow Full of Sound from all over the place did two amazing sets of mostly dead. They will be back in some form in the future. Finally Steely Dead from Colorado tore it up with their high fidelity mix of Steely Dan and The Grateful Dead. So glad they could make it. Time to plan the next one.

2024 Fall Boogie, November 16

Just WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! So happy and encourage to have such a great show and turn out. Honesty was not expecting that. Just grateful as can be. And the weather, couldn't have been any better. Glass Camels came and were on point as usual, love you guys. The Shambles with their new singer Kim came and threw out an inspired and wide ranging set. Gainesvilles Phish band All My Phriends wowed everyone with the jammiest jams. All the way from New Smyrna Beach, The Cosmic Jam rocked out a great mixed set of favorites, and Uncle John's Band did two sets of Dead, absolutely blew the lid off the place. Considering it is outside that is impressive. 
April 26, 2025 we will do it again. Rock On!

2025 Spring Boogie, April 26

Sorry to be so late getting to this.  Everything was spectacular. There was no canned music for the entire event. A practice that will continue. Tamay Trio started us off with a rousing set. Headstash as usual laid down the dead vibes. Mason Via launched his new record to great acclaim and got us all wound up. Uncle Morty's Rhythm launched us into another direction entirely with their 70's horn music. Then Grass is Dead, fire dancers, Mason Vie blew the lid off the place. Well done all.

2025 Spring Boogie, April 26

Sorry to be so late getting to this.  Everything was spectacular. There was no canned music for the entire event. A practice that will continue. Tamay Trio started us off with a rousing set. Headstash as usual laid down the dead vibes. Mason Via launched his new record to great acclaim and got us all wound up. Uncle Morty's Rhythm launched us into another direction entirely with their 70's horn music. Then Grass is Dead, fire dancers, Mason Vie blew the lid off the place. Well done all.

2025 fall Boogie, November 22

Late again. Again a fantastic show. Again no canned music from the time the show started until it ended. This time we had a variety of performers inside between outside change overs. Thanks to everyone Liz Davis, Caitlyn Vinci, Josh Lederman, Glass Camels, One Good Ring, All My Phriends, Aisle 14, and Uncle John's Band.

thanks to Everyone ever involved

Chelsea Carnes
Dave Melosh
Monica
Julia
Hoch
Connie
Merrillee
Doug
Sanna
Echo
Amanda
Jarel
Josh
Bill
Tom
RUM 138
The Wombat WMBT 90.1 FM
All the bands
Vendors
North Central Flordia Dead Head Community