Help on the Way

Take a trip down memory lane, and by lane we mean I-89. This week our hosts FiG and Knob are joined by Knob’s Dad on their trip to Vermont. It’s June 15th, 1995, and the Grateful Dead are playing at the Franklin County State Airport in Highgate, Vermont. Discussions abound about what makes harmonies work, a hibachi grill on tour, and the short lived Rollin’ and Tumblin’ Touch Of Grey Wang Dang Doo...

Beat it on down the… club. This week, our hosts Game, FiG and Knob are heading to West Germany for the Grateful Dead’s April 21, 1972 show at the Beat Club in Bremen. On the way, discussions abound about the Veneta anniversary, television production in the 70s, and explain Game’s unexplained absence. Bertha Playin in the Band Mr. Charlie Sugaree One More Saturday Night Playin in the Band Beat It O...

Grab your Jaguars jersey! This week, our hosts FiG and Knob are heading to Jacksonville for the Grateful Dead’s April 8, 1978 show at Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum. Discussions abound about the tenth anniversary of the HotW threads, IGN reviews, and we make some very intelligent comparisons to Phish. Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo  Me And My Uncle > Big River  They Love Each Other  Looks L...

Everybody’s in LA! This week, our host FiG embarks on a trek to the golden state to hear the Grateful Dead’s November 20th, 1971 show at the Pauley Pavilion. Discussions abound about the end of the Sphere, Keith Godchaux, Donna's Wooing(?) and The Other One Bertha Me & My Uncle Sugaree Beat It On Down The Line Tennessee Jed Mexicali Blues Brown Eyed Women El Paso Big Railroad Blues Jack Straw...

Happy New… August. This week, our hosts FiG and Knob are heading to Oakland for the Grateful Dead’s December 31st, 1979 show at the Oakland Auditorium Arena. Discussions abound about the Sphere, pitch wheels, and a Samson that just won’t quit. Jack Straw >  Franklin's Tower Mama Tried >  Mexicali Blues Tennessee Jed Looks Like Rain >  Alabama Getaway >  Promised Land  Sugar Magnolia &g...

Keep it weird! This week, our host Knob takes a solo trek to Portland, Oregon to hear the Grateful Dead’s August 15th, 1981 show at the Portland Memorial Coliseum. Along the way, there’s much to say about the New Box Set, what makes a good ballad, and Blue’s Clues.  CANDACE BRIGHTMAN GOFUNDME : https://www.gofundme.com/f/grateful-dead-lighting-designer-candace-brightman Shakedown Street >  Me &...

Go to Nassau! This week, our hosts FiG and Knob are heading out to Long Island for the Grateful Dead’s September 8th, 1973 show at Nassau Coliseum. This show was released as Dick’s Picks 38. Discussions abound about Kennedy Center Honors, the debut of Weather Report Suite, and the newest Dave Pick. Bertha Me & My Uncle  Sugaree Beat It On Down The Line Tennessee Jed Looks Like Rain Brown Eyed...

We can’t stay much longer, Melinda. This week, our hosts FiG and Knob are heading to the Cumberland County Civic Center, for the Grateful Dead’s May 13th, 1979 show. Discussions abound about Brent’s early years, Peach at the Beach, and what makes a good El Paso. Sugaree Mama Tried >  Mexicali Blues Jack-a-Roe It’s All Over Now Candyman El Paso Row Jimmy Jack Straw Scarlet Begonias >  Fire on...

Going on down to Town Park, gonna have ourselves a time. This week, our hosts Game, FiG, and Knob are headed to Telluride, Colorado for the Grateful Dead’s August 15th, 1987 show at Town Park. Discussions abound about midi fiddle, Bob Dylan lyrics, and a bite-sized Scarlet > Fire. Feel Like A Stranger > 
 Franklin's Tower
 New Minglewood Blues
 Candyman
 Me and My Uncle > 
 Big River 
Ten...

We’re wearing flowers in our hair. This week, our hosts FiG, Game and Knob are heading to San Francisco for the Grateful Dead’s December 12th, 1972 show at the Winterland Ballroom. Discussions abound about Janis Joplin, the history of Turlock, California, and the gang wins big on the dead.net slot machines.  Beat It On Down the Line
Brown-Eyed Women
Mexicali Blues
Bird Song
Jack Straw Cumberland B...

We’re ready to catch some rays! This week our host FiG heads to Tampa, Florida for the Grateful Dead’s October 26th, 1985 show at the Sun Dome. Discussions abound about the continuing Sphere run, Mickey talking about perineums in GQ, and whether King Brent keeps The Belt.  Gimme Some Lovin' > Greatest Story Ever Told Dupree's Diamond Blues C.C. Rider Stagger Lee Me & My Uncle > Big River...

It’s all Greek to us! This week, our hosts Game, FiG and Knob are joined by friend of the show Gowanus Red, who provides his experience about seeing D&C at the Sphere. Our hosts then head out to California to see the Grateful Dead’s August 17th, 1989 show at the Greek Theatre at University of California in Berkley. Discussions abound about what crowds cheer for, Walkin’ Blues, and when you sho...

You can keep the Spectrum, we're heading to the Civic Center! This week, our hosts Game, FiG, and Knob are heading to Philadelphia, PA. While they're there, they're listening to The Grateful Dead's April 20th, 1984 show at the Philadelphia Civic Center. This show was released as Dave's Picks 35. Discussions abound about My Brother Esau, Jerry's vocals, and the next band to play at the Sphere... Fe...

This week, our host Knob goes solo and visits Las Vegas. No, not for the Sphere, but for the Grateful Dead's March 29th, 1969 show at the Ice Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. Monologues abound about keeping up with the Sphere, Jerry/Pigpen interplay, and how Mickey Hart was ahead of his time. Morning Dew Good Morning Little School Girl Doin' That Rag Dark Star > Saint Stephen > The Eleven > T...

You stay classy, San Diego! This week, our hosts Game, FiG, and Knob are traveling out west to listen to the Grateful Dead's December 28th, 1978 show at Golden Hall in San Diego, California. Discussions abound over The Closing of Winterland, Keith v. Brent, and the passing of Bill Walton. Sugaree Finiculi Finicula Beat It On Down The Line Dire Wolf Looks Like Rain Stagger Lee Me & My Uncle &gt...

These little town blues are melting away, as our hosts Game, FiG, and Knob are heading to New York, New York. This week, we're listening to the Grateful Dead’s December 7th, 1971 show at the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden. Discussions abound about JRAD at the Stony Pony Summer Stage, Run Rudolph Run, and how harmonies were split by 70s Dead.

Get your throwing batteries ready, we're going to Philly. This week, our hosts FiG and Knob are joined by a special guest- Knob's Dad. Knob's Dad relives his memories as we revisit the Grateful Dead's March 23rd, 1986 show at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, PA. Discussions abound about Willie and the Hand Jive, what song will open Dead and Co's Sphere Run, and driving home from the Spectrum. Gimme S...

Holy July ‘89, Batman! This week, our hosts Game, FiG, and Knob are joined by legendary concert photographer Jay Blakesberg. They’re heading to Alpine Valley for the Grateful Dead’s July 18th, 1989 show. Along the way, they discuss Jay’s upcoming An American Beauty exhibit, the next generation of Deadheads, and Englishtown 77, which you should listen to when this is over. Touch Of Gray Jack Straw...

We’re California dreamin’, as our host FiG finds himself in LA. This week, he’s heading to the Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California to talk about the Grateful Dead’s December 16th, 1994 show. Monologues abound about Childhood’s End, Branford Marsalis, and what the initials MNS stand for (editor’s note: he has since learned they stand for Music Never Stopped.) Hell in a Bucket Cold Rain & Sn...

Upstate New York’s got the ways and means! This week, our hosts Game, FiG and Knob are heading to Binghamton for the Grateful Dead’s May 9th, 1979 show. This was only the seventh show played by our friend Smiling Brent . Discussions abound about Brent’s early days, the new Taylor Swift album, and taking yet another step back. Sugaree Me & My Uncle Loser New Minglewood Blues Friend Of The Devil...

We’re getting a mile high! This week our hosts Game, FiG, and Knob heading west to Colorado to hear the Grateful Dead’s December 14th, 1990 show at the McNichols Sports Arena. Discussions abound about Victim or the Crime, viewer mail, and Knob’s killer impression of Bob’s slide solo. Shakedown Street Picasso Moon Peggy-O Little Red Rooster Stagger Lee Masterpiece To Lay Me Down Let it Grow Victim...

And in the end, the dead you take is equal to the dead you make. This week on the Help on the Way pod, our hosts Game, FiG, and Knob are heading to Chicago for the Grateful Dead's July 9th, 1995 show at Soldier Field. This would be the last show Jerry Garcia ever played. Discussions abound about Robert Hunter's found manuscript, Childhood's End, and our upcoming lawsuit with Guess the Year. Touch...

Are you ready to rock?? Red rocks!! This week, our hosts FiG and Knob are heading to Morrison, Colorado for the Grateful Dead's July 27th, 1982 show at Red Rocks Ampitheatre. Discussions abound about what makes "On the Road Again" work, what shows we would time travel to, and what Jerry's favorite reality show would've been. Jack Straw > Sugaree On The Road Again It Must Have Been The Roses Me...

Grab your soup cans, we're heading to the Cafe Au Go Go! This week on the Help on the Way pod, our hosts Game, FiG, and Knob are heading to a helluva town for the Grateful Dead's September 29th, 1969 show at the Cafe Au Go Go. Discussions abound about Lenny Bruce, Knob's interview with Betty Cantor-Jackson, and The Grateful Dead's history in 7/8 time.

In a very special bonus episode of Help on the Way, Knob is joined by legendary audio engineer Betty Cantor-Jackson. The two discuss Betty's storied history working for the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band. Along the way, they talk about Grateful Dead Cover Bands, the making of Europe '72, and a little bit about 5/26/73 at Kezar Stadium.