7 Walkers

7 Walkers walking in the sky 

 7 Walkers watching from on high

7 Walkers offer their protection

           7 Walkers looking down from heaven    

-Robert Hunter        

The new 7 Walkers CD is finally released today.  After seeing 7 Walkers (Bill Kreutzmann, Papa Mali, George Porter Jr. and Matt Hubbard with Robert Hunter penned songs) at MagnoliaFest and streaming them on Internet Archive, I am more than excited about hearing the studio album.  You should be too! 
Besides, how could a guy with a blog name like Hometown Hiker not appreciate a band called 7 Walkers?



Here is a superb review from Dennis Cook on JamBase:

7 Walkers (arriving November 2 on Response Records) is the most organic, original music to come out of the core Grateful Dead alumni since the passing of Jerry Garcia. It's worth getting right down to brass tacks since 7 Walkers goes for the creative jugular in such a lusty, exuberant manner. With richly imaginative lyrics penned by Dead scribe Robert Hunter, the band is comprised of percussion master Bill Kreutzmann, psychedelic blues rock marvel Papa Mali, New Orleans funk pioneer George Porter, Jr. and multi-instrumentalist & longtime Willie Nelson collaborator Matt Hubbard. Even on paper this quartet is lethal, but that's nothing compared to the roiling energy when they come together in the flesh. With their collective pedigree, there's an enormous pool of possibilities and their self-titled debut reflects all their swirling undercurrents AND coalesces into fascinating new shapes, fresh colors forming on the surface of things as dark, interesting eddies move below. Put another way, there's something powerful and primal and beautiful going on in the music of 7 Walkers.  Read entire article here.

Lefty Willams / Sugaree

Here's more video from the HometownHiker archives. The crowd shares a special moment at The Keel Family Function this spring with The Lefty Williams Band performing the Grateful Dead's Sugaree.



Lefty Williams Bio

Easter Services 2009 with the Dead

Black Betty and Hometown ready for Shakedown Street!

We enjoyed a glorious and celebatory Easter at the first show of The Dead last night at the Greensboro Coliseum. We arrived with family and friends early enough to enjoy several hours of parking lot hippie action before seeing the big sold-out show.

All in all it was great, the band seemed to really gel, Phil's singing really didn't sound too bad, Billy and Mickey kicked ass with their drums, AND the band threw a pretty cool Watchtower to Warren. The band sounded good and the vibe seemed right. The set list seemed a little strange, but who am I to complain? I had lots of fun!

Set List 4/12/09 Greensboro Colesium
(set 1)The Music Never Stopped>Jack StrawEstimated Prophet>He's Gone>Touch Of Grey>I Need A Miracle>Truckin'
(set 2)JamShakedown Street>All Along The Watchtower>Caution>Rhythm Devils>Space>Cosmic Charlie>New Potato Caboose>Help On The Way>Slipknot!>Franklin's Tower
(encore)Samson And Delilah

One Week from Today!!!

Easter Sunday at the Greensboro Colesium!!!!

Suwannee SpringFest 2009 or How I got the Spirit of the Boogie!!!

We enjoyed a wonderful weekend at Suwannee Springfest. In spite of a little wet weather and a few manly gusts of high wind, the music went on and the Festivarians festivalized as only those who are unbathed and barefoot with divine purpose and mystic insight can.
We were pleased to be joined by cousin Amy (Amyl Nitrate), Jesse (Fighting Cock), and the one and only SuperChunk.
The music kicked ass, the dancing was dirty, and the spirit was alive! Reverend Jeff Mosier laid down the gospel of Garcia and Boogie Cat proclaimed, "I never eat while I'm on the boogie!" And the Tornado Rider taught us all to "be a vicious bird!" What can I say? I am a believer!


Drew Emmitt and Billy Nershi with Tyler Grant. The Emmitt Nershi band played like they were on fire!

Mike Merenda (with baby on back) on banjo and his wife, Ruth Ungar (of Mike and Ruthie) with

Jordan McConnell of the Duhks.

Festivarians "Hometown" on "Superchunk", Jesse (sometimes known as "Fighting Cock")and "Amyl Nitrate"

"Fighting Cock" "Amyl Nitrate" and "Black Betty" ponder the true meaning of "I'm a Falcon!"

Easter Sunday with The Dead

We lucked out yesterday, and with Black Betty's perseverance and superior computer savvy, we scored great seats for The Dead. We are going to the Easter Sunday show on April 12th at the Greensboro Coliseum. It's the first show in the twenty-city 2009 show, so it should be great. I have not seen them since '77 or '78 so they may have aged somewhat. It'll be a family gathering for me, since our daughter (Sugaree) and her boyfriend will be going with us.

This edition of The Dead is the same that played for the Obama benefit at Penn State last fall. It features Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Mickey Hart and Billy Kreutzman. They are joined by Warren Haynes on guitar (yes!) and Jeff Chimenti on keyboards.