Pickin' On The Dead
- Colleen Murphy
- Jun 24
- 3 min read
It was an atypical Friday night as my bestie “the supermodel” and I embarked on an unusual trek to hear my friend Tyler Grant & Co. make their Boulder debut with Pickin' on the Dead.
Why was it unusual, you may wonder? Well—to be frank—we’re old. The Supermodel and I were lucky enough to tour during the final years of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead, and we often debate whose show count holds more weight (200 East Coast shows for the Supermodel, 127 West Coast for me). The argument centers on dedication via drive time versus sheer number of shows attended.
That said, neither of us typically go out of our way to see Grateful Dead tribute bands. In fact, when I heard the Dead had sold more records than any other band in history, I scoffed—until I realized they never really stopped selling albums after Jerry passed, & I’m glad the legacy lives on. The band shaped who I am. Still, I find myself exploring other music these days—genres that taught me new ways to listen.
We rolled in just as the set was starting. It felt like a mini Grant Farm reunion, with Ace Engfer on bass and Sean Macaulay on drums. Michael Kirkpatrick brought the Bob Weir energy, and Bill McKay filled out the keys.
They kicked things off with “Let the Good Times Roll”—a solid Saturday night opener in the Dead’s classic rotation. From there, they stayed true to the vibe with a Bob Weir-esque “Feel Like a Stranger” into “New Speedway Boogie,” always a personal favorite. One reason I don’t often go see tribute bands is because they rarely reach for the deeper cuts. But I was curious to see if Pickin’ on the Dead would stretch out the setlist, as they did a few years back when I saw them at Baja WonderGrass.
Next came a lovely “Uncle John’s Band,” with McKay’s keys adding rich texture. (Brett Mydland was always my favorite, so good keys are a welcome sound.) That bled beautifully into “Crazy Fingers,” blurring with my own memories of shows gone by.
Later in the evening, fiddle wizard Andy Reiner—who collaborated with Tyler on his most recent album Flatpicker—joined in with a five-string electric violin, launching into a rousing “Truckin’” and lifting the crowd into a full-on dance party.
What stood out throughout the evening was the skillful execution of harmonies. There were breathtaking moments where the energy lifted—Tyler’s voice blending seamlessly with Michael and Ace, skillfully channeling Jerry’s vocal tone. The high harmonies in “Bird Song” and “China Doll” were particularly spot-on.
I was also happy to hear songs that don’t usually show up in tribute band sets. One highlight was “Shady Grove”—a grassier number recorded by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman on The Pizza Tapes. The Dead only performed it 11 times, and the band swapped verses with ease and style.
After the acoustic portion, Tyler began to really expand from Garcia’s beloved melodic lines and slowly shifted into his own voice—still flavored with Garcia’s tone, but unmistakably himself. An unusual pick for a Saturday night, Bill tore into “Samson & Delilah”—a personal highlight for my friend—following a dreamy “Ship of Fools.” Also of note: a skillful drums solo from Sean McCauley, before the band closed out with a strong “China > Rider” into “St Stephen” at the close.
Overall, I appreciated the deeper cuts and the band’s willingness to take risks with song choices, while still keeping things accessible for newer Deadheads. The camaraderie among these longtime musical friends was palpable—the ease with which they transitioned from song to song created an infectious energy that radiated through the room.
If you’re a fan of the Grateful Dead, Tyler Grant, or bluegrass flatpicking, this band hits all the stops—and they’ll absolutely fill your cup. The supermodel and I both give our seal of approval.
Look for:
“Pickin’ on the Dead” this summer
Tylers latest album “Flatpicker”
Adrian Engfer's new single
“Mighty Saguaro” rel. 6/6
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