Tales from the Green Room

Link to Tales From The Green Room Episode 27 Photography Gallery

In this episode of Tales From The Green Room, Mount Tam Media takes listeners backstage at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco during the Grateful Guitars Foundation Second Annual Benefit. Grateful Dead historian Dennis McNally shares some of his experiences with Jerry Garcia and his storied history with the band; David Hidalgo (Los Lobos) also reflects on his personal relationship and poignant moments with Garcia; Samson Grisman (Sam Grisman Project) and Steve Berlin (Los Lobos), interviewed together, engage in an entertaining conversation between two artists a generation apart, expressing their mutual respect for the other’s era; Jill Simmons (Brown Eyed Women) tells of her journey from the East Coast leading to an appearance on this bill; and rising superstar, 17-year-old Bella Rayne delves into her ascent to notoriety in the jam band scene. Artist manager and music industry vet, Jack Barton also shares his insights; and singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and multi-talented Alex Jordan makes a cameo while serving as music director for the show.

The conversations in this “jam”-packed episode, recorded in the heart of the Great American Music Hall Green Room during the all-star benefit, revolve around the guests' experiences with Andy Logan's Grateful Guitars Foundation, sharing personal stories, musical journeys, and the magic of playing iconic instruments like Jerry Garcia's Alligator guitar. Tune in to hear spontaneous stories and deep reflections on their musical paths and the vibrant music scene.

Quotes From The Episode

He looked like he had just fired down six fat ones…and he doesn't smoke…and his eyes were spinning. - Dennis McNally describing David Hidalgo after playing Jerry Garcia’s Alligator guitar.

The instrument's a living thing. It has a life of its own. It shouldn't be kept behind glass. It should be out in front of people. With that emotion passing through.- Jack Barton

 The biggest bummer about it these days is just how everybody's got a super computer in their pocket, and everybody's addicted to the shit, and unless you engage with social media, people don't know that you're active. - Sam Grisman

 I never imagined myself becoming a guitarist ever. I never had big aspirations to be a musician or play guitar at all. But I started playing during the pandemic. - Bella Rayne

 Honestly,  I was thrilled to play with all of these musicians, but I have a special place in my heart for the guys from Los Lobos. Yeah. I mean, holy cow. What a thrill. - Jill Simmons

 From the beginning, I'm grateful. That we've been able to do what we've wanted to do all these years. And for it to come around to where it's at now.  And the friends that we've made along the way. That's why we're here today. - David Hidalgo

Music Links

Bertha * Deadicated * Los Lobos
David Hidalgo with Los Lobos Playing Jerry Garcia's Alligator at the Fillmore 11/16/23
Brown Eyed Women - Thunderbird Music Hall - 9/25/22 - Set 2
Catfish John
Jerry Garcia Band - "Mission In The Rain" - Electric On The Eel (June 10th, 1989)
Teach Your Children by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - 1970 (with lyrics) 

Links to Websites

https://www.dennismcnally.com/

https://www.loslobos.org/site/

https://www.samgrismanproject.net/

https://browneyedwomen.com/

https://www.bellaraynerocks.com/

https://www.jackbartonentertainment.com/

https://www.alexjordanjams.com/


Creators & Guests

Host
Dennis Strazulo
Dennis Strazulo & Tami Larson host backstage conversations with artists in the exclusive confines of green rooms at popular music venues and festivals.🎧
Host
Tami Larson
Dennis Strazulo & Tami Larson host backstage conversations with artists in the exclusive confines of green rooms at popular music venues and festivals.🎧

What is Tales from the Green Room?

Welcome to Tales from the Green Room - Backstage conversations from popular music venues around the country curated by Mount Tam Media.

Buckle up and listen in, as host Dennis Strazulo and Mount Tam Media founder, Tami Larson, dig up conversations with artists - before and after shows - in the exclusive confines of the green room. Barriers are down with stories abound!

Tales from the Greenroom Special Edition (Sweetwater Music Hall's 50th Anniversary Series)

Mount Tam Media is thrilled to launch its Tales From the Green Room Podcast with a special series of episodes celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the iconic Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley, California. The roster of artists that have crowded onto the club's little stages, first at the original Sweetwater location two blocks away, and now at the new location which opened in 2013, reads like a Who's Who of roots & rock music: Bob Weir, Aaron Neville, Big Mama Thornton, Carlos Santana, Elvis Costello, Etta James, Greg Allman, Van Morrison… the list of musical luminaries is endless. In the 80's, the Times of London hailed Sweetwater as one of the best nightclubs in America and the legacy continues! Mount Tam Media has been granted special access to Sweetwater’s green room during the venue’s 50th anniversary year to interview musicians, photographers, managers and the like, and capture their favorite moments and memories, preserving the untold secrets of what has graced these hallowed walls for half a century, before they are lost forever.