Jake Renick Simpson’s story is straight out of a dream — the kind every music fan has but few ever live.

In eighth grade, Jake wrote a letter to Dave Matthews saying he’d play music with him someday. Years later, that dream came true when he stepped on stage at The Gorge, performing fiddle alongside Dave Matthews Band in front of thousands.

On this episode of Cocktails with Dimples and The Beard, Jake tells the full story — from learning fiddle at four years old and recording his first album at eleven, to touring with Lukas Nelson and the moment he got the call to join Dave on stage.

We talk about:

🎻 The difference between a fiddle and a violin (and why Jake’s has a rattlesnake rattle inside)

🎶 His journey from small-town bluegrass festivals to national tours

📜 The eighth-grade letter that manifested his dream

🤯 Meeting Dave Matthews and trying not to “fangirl”

🔥 What it felt like playing Before These Crowded Streets live at The Gorge

It’s a story about timing, talent, and one surreal weekend that changed everything.

Check out Jake Renick Simpson -

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r3n1ck

Big thanks to the sponsors for this episode - Boom Island Brewing & Great Lakes Distillery

Boom Island Brewing Website: https://boomislandbrewing.com

Boom Island Brewing IG: https://www.instagram.com/boomislandbeer

Great Lakes Distillery Website: https://greatlakesdistillery.com/

Great Lakes Distillery IG: https://www.instagram.com/greatlakesdistillery

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