This week, we welcome Madhu Zugsmith, of the Dead Commandments, to the show. Madhu discusses his transformative first show, Irvine Meadows ‘84, as a young teenager.  An early psychonaut, Madhu experimented heavily with psychedelics starting at age 14. A really intense experience led him to live substance free for many ensuing years. He has recently circled back to psychedelics and now uses them in a responsible and therapeutic way.

The lure of the Far East started calling him from the Dead lot as a kid and he eventually made his way to India in ‘94.  Thus leading to many years traveling between India and California.  Today he can be found back on Dead (& Co) Lot with some beautiful designs representing his experience and perspective of all the years combined, via his merchandising company, Dead Commandments. Look for him at a show near you this summer and say hello.

Check out Dead Commandments here:

Deadcommandments.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/deadcommandments

FB: https://www.facebook.com/deadcommandments

Episode Song List:

Mission in the Rain by GD 6/12/76 Boston Music Hall, Boston, MA

Ooh La La by The Faces

Feel Like a Stranger by GD 4/7/84 Irvine Meadows, Irvine, CA

Eyes of the World by GD 6/4/22 Frost Amphitheatre, Palo Alto, CA

St of Circumstance by GD @ Henry J Kaiser Convention Center, Oakland, CA 

Terrapin Station by GD 5/17/17 @ Memorial Coliseum, U of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

Morning Dew by Bob Weir 10/10/16 @ Wiltern Theatre Los Angeles, CA 

Fire on the Mountain 3/18/77 @ Winterland Arena, SF, CA

Just a little light by GD 3/26/90 Knickerbocker Arena, Albany, NY

Jaw harp by Daniel Higgs

Go Join Us Patreon | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

deadtourtales.com

GET THAT MERCH

Credits:

Brandon Swinehart, Co-Host/Co-Creator, James Donovan Co-Host/Co-Creator, Editing & Sound Design Ford Kjellberg

This week’s guest is Sunshine Powers, the owner, magic maker & glitter queen of the iconic retail store & artist collective, Love on Haight, in the famed Haight Asbury district of San Francisco. Not only is Sunny a magical human being but she has quite the story, having lived a classic country song, she lost everything in the market crash of 2008 (even her dog!), wrote an internationally acclaimed blog, “Diaries of a Tenderloin Princess” and in 2016 she took ownership of Jammin on Haight which became Love on Haight and has continued to spread the love through her latest endeavor - Colors of Love (on Haight) Foundation. A non-profit inspired by the death of George Floyd and a desire to do more for her community. Colors of Love acts as a Women’s Prisoner Reentry Program by assisting 2-3 women a year & teaches them the art of tie-dye & the business behind it. Sunny shares with us her deep live & connection with her first, neighborhood & community as well as her drive to do her part to bring more love (& glitter) to the people.

You can learn more about Love on Haight by checking out Sunshines’s website and Instagram.

This weeks music:

Here Comes Sunshine by GD 2/23/74 Winterland Arena SF, CA

Vacation by Widespread Panic 12/29/18

You Can’t Always Get What You Want by Widespread Panic 3/5/23 Las Vegas

Cassidy by GD 6/4/95 Shoreline Amphitheater, Mtn View, CA

Patchwork Quilt by Phil Lesh & Friends (The Q) 11/25/2003 The Orpheum Theater, Boston, MA

Go Join Us Patreon | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

deadtourtales.com

GET THAT MERCH

Credits:

Brandon Swinehart, Co-Host/Co-Creator, James Donovan Co-Host/Co-Creator, Editing & Sound Design Ford Kjellberg

This week, we welcome David Manheim, known to most as just Dave. He is the co-creator and host of the Dopey Podcast, the show about drugs, addiction and dumb shit. We discuss his life growing up a Deadhead in Manhattan and his strong dislike of Bob Weir (WTF?!...), as well as some of his good and poor life choices. While not hosting his show, Dave is a dedicated father and husband, as well as the director of catering for New York's Historic Katz Deli (call him if you're in need of some pastrami!)

To learn more about Dave, please listen, subscribe, and follow Dopey Podcast https://dopeypodcast.com/

This weeks songs:

Go Join Us Patreon | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

deadtourtales.com

GET THAT MERCH

Credits:

Brandon Swinehart, Co-Host/Co-Creator, James Donovan Co-Host/Co-Creator, Kevin McCracken Producer/Editor

This week, we welcome Melrose (Melissa Rose) of Art by Melrose Tie Dye to the show.  Originally from Charleston, SC, she discusses her introduction to the Grateful Dead, which started around 2007 and eventually brought her to the west coast where she has lived for the past 10 years.  We delve into her passion for art and how tie dyeing became her current favorite medium to work in.  She started tie dying with Jammin’ On in 2017 and then branched out on her own in 2019 to create Art by Melrose.  You can find her at west coast music festivals and the upcoming west coast Dead and Co. tour this summer.  She currently resides in Petaluma, CA with her fiance, JP McLean (bass player for Melvin Seals & JGB) and their amazing 11 year old dog Rosebud.

This episode was a lot fun, so enjoy!

You can learn more about Art by Melrose Art & Tie-Dye  by checking out Melissa’s website, Facebook and Instagram.

Go Join Us Patreon | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

deadtourtales.com

GET THAT MERCH

Credits:

Brandon Swinehart, Co-Host/Co-Creator, James Donovan Co-Host/Co-Creator, Kevin McCracken Producer/Editor

This week, we welcome Dane Mentzer, founder of Save Your Face to the show. Save Your Face focuses on raising awareness around mental health, addiction and suicide prevention. We hold nothing back and get down to it in the episode. Dane discusses the loss of his younger brother from suicide and personal struggles with mental health and addiction.  James and Brandon share their experience with addiction, recovery and living life on life’s terms. You will definitely need to buckle up for this one.

Dane Mentzer: Missionary turned Air Force Officer turned IV drug addict turned mental health advocate. It's been a long, strange trip, but I've never been more grateful for the opportunity to share the lessons I've had to learn the hard way.

You can learn more about Save Your Face by checking out Dane’s website and Instagram.

Songs:

Grateful Dead Wharf Rat 10/7/77 Univ of New Mexico 

Cold Rain & Snow by GD - 4/29/71 Fillmore East, NY 

Lazy Lightning/Supplication by GD - 11/2/77 Seneca College Toronto, On

Slow Dancing in a Burning Room by John Mayer 

Your Body is a Wonderland Live Brooklyn, NY Storytellers

Lazy Lightning/Supplication by GD - 11/2/77 Seneca College Toronto, On

Weekapaug Groove by Phish - Thomas & Mack Arena, Las Vegas,NV 10/31/1998

Black Muddy River by GD - 4/2/1990 The Omni Atlanta, GA

People Who Died 9/25/84 Lou Reed w/ Jim Carrol @ Capitol Theatre 

Two Souls in Communion by GD - 4/26/72 Jahrhundert Hall, Frankfurt, Germany 

Victim or the Crime by GD 7/12/1990 RFK Stadium

CAN - Halleluwah - Live 

Six by Hampton Grease Band 

22 Acacia Avenue by Iron Maiden - Live at Hammersmith 1982

Go Join Us Patreon | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

deadtourtales.com

GET THAT MERCH

Credits:

Brandon Swinehart, Co-Host/Co-Creator, James Donovan Co-Host/Co-Creator, Kevin McCracken Producer/Editor

In part 2 of our conversation with Randy Freedman, we delve deeper into Wovenfree’s mission to create small-batch, American made, quality crafted products with his partner, Rachel Rainwater and his plan to branch out into non-Grateful Dead specific items; the importance of using his platform and resources to give back and do some good in the community; the personal evolution of Tony Alva and the generosity of spirit of Ray Barbee; exploring the California coast and why the Central Coast rules

You can learn more about Wovenfree by clicking on the links below.

https://www.wovenfree.com/

https://www.facebook.com/wovenfree

Terrapin Station GD 5/17/77 Tuscaloosa, AL (source 1 Soundboard- Relisten)

Estimated Prophet GD 4/19/82 Baltimore Civic Center, Baltimore, MD (source 5 - Relisten):

Dark Star GD 8/21/72 Berkeley Community Theater, Berkeley, CA (source number 2 - Relisten)

Jimi Hendrix & The Band of Gypsies @ Fillmore East - Machine Gun (Youtube)

Goin to California by Led Zeppelin - Live at Earl’s Court, 1974 (Youtube) 

The Wagon by Dinosaur Jr (Live on KEXP - Youtube) at Doug Fir Lounge, PDX, OE 9/8/2012

My Morning Song by The Black Crowes (Youtube) 11/171992 - Köln, Germany

Ramblin’ Man by Green Leaf Rustlers 6/13/2018 @ Sweetwater Music Hall:

 Billy Strings 11/11/2022 at Nassau Coliseum

Estimated Prophet by GD 7/8/1990 Pittsburgh, PA

Closing song: Sugaree by GD 5/22/1977 at Pembroke Pines, FL (source 3 - Relisten)

Go Join Us Patreon | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

deadtourtales.com

GET THAT MERCH

Credits:

Brandon Swinehart, Co-Host/Co-Creator, James Donovan Co-Host/Co-Creator, Kevin McCracken Producer/Editor

Randy Freedman / Wovenfree - guitar tech in a tie-dye!

This week, we welcome Randy Freedman of Wovenfree to the show.  Randy shares with us his early experiences at GD shows in the early 90’s and Jerry’s ability to bring light to darkness & resolution to chaos. After Garcia’s death in ‘95, Randy was searching for his next journey and through his love of the acoustic slide guitar, he found his next great adventure while working in Bill Asher’s guitar shop, eventually landing himself a gig as Ben Harper’s tie-dye wearing guitar tech and confidante.  Pursuing his passions further, he combined his interest in fashion with a  love for well-crafted apparel and was inspired to found Woven Free. He continues to strive for quality, small-batch American-made manufacturing to push Wovenfree to it’s fullest potential.

You can learn more about Wovenfree by clicking on the links below.

https://www.wovenfree.com/

https://www.facebook.com/wovenfree

Songs:

Mexicali Blues by Grateful Dead 8/27/72 Veneta, OR

Touch of Grey by GD 12/9/89 LA Forum 

Desolation Row by GD 8/16/91 Shoreline

Dark Star by GD 8/16/91 Shoreline

Victim or the Crime by GD 8/16/91 Shoreline

Fire on the Mountain by GD 8/16/91 Shoreline

Stella Blue by GD 10/19/73 OKC

Saint of Circumstance by GD 6/2/95 Shoreline 

Ground on Down by Ben Harper Montreal ‘96 

Burn One Down by Ben Harper Live at Bonnaroo 

Go Join Us Patreon | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

deadtourtales.com

GET THAT MERCH

Credits:

Brandon Swinehart, Co-Host/Co-Creator, James Donovan Co-Host/Co-Creator, Kevin McCracken Producer/Editor

This week, we welcome Blake Lauer of Mountain Song Collective to the podcast. We felt Blake was the perfect first guest as he has become a great friend and partner on current projects with Always a Hoot Studios. We discuss his exposure to the Grateful Dead and how the culture has influenced his life and helped create his brand of Dead inspired merchandise, Mountain Song Collective and much, much more.

You can learn more about Mountain Song Collective by checking out Blake’s website, Facebook and Instagram.

Songs from the show:

Might As Well

Loser

China Cat Sunflower

Crickets

Jack Straw

Mountain Song

Werewolves of London

Go Join Us Patreon | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

deadtourtales.com

GET THAT MERCH

Credits:

Brandon Swinehart, Co-Host/Co-Creator, James Donovan Co-Host/Co-Creator, Kevin McCracken Producer/Editor

With the last Dead & Company tour coming this year, we decided it was time to take a look behind the scenes, and in the parking lot!  Dead Tour Tales coming to a podcast platform near you in February 2023.