Jim Walsh's Jerry Tribute

From the Valley Advocate:

Remembering Jerry GarciaAugust 6 rocks with a Garcia tribute and a multi-band fest

It's not difficult to figure out why Jim Walsh decided to throw a Jerry Garcia tribute. Like so many of his generation, he says that Garcia's songs and emotion moved him in ways that nobody did before or since. And like so many of his generation, Walsh himself moved frequently about the country to catch the San Francisco-born six-stringer whenever he could, taking in "at least 150 shows back in the day."

Scan the lineup the local singer/drummer has assembled to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Garcia's passing, and again, there is very little eyebrow raising. Sure, it contains a veritable who's who of regional jam notables including members of the Rev. Tor Band, Lobsterz From Marz and Max Creek, to name a few. But Walsh himself is a veritable Valley who's who, having kept time for Mr. Pickle in years past and being currently on the circuit with blues/rock faves Catfish Jam, so these are also his friends and colleagues.

As he paired his pals with various aspects of Garcia's fabled career (members of Creek and Depth Quartet will perform a set of Legion of Mary; Rev. Tor and Bruce Mandaro will tackle Garcia/Grisman), Walsh says he came up one short when it came time to pay homage to New Riders of the Purple Sage. He could have combed deeper into his personal Rolodex, but instead, he explains, he acted on a hunch .... and the Worldwide Web.

"I knew that Buddy Cage was still active, so I hunted down his e-mail and got in touch with him," he recalls. "Luckily, he was free for our event, and agreeable to coming down and contributing."

For the uninitiated, Cage was the pedal steel guitarist for New Riders after Garcia left. He is also one of four musicians credited on Dylan'sBlood On The Tracks.

As exciting -- and authentic --as the Riders set will be, perhaps nothing will be more explosive than the "all-star Dead jam" Walsh has planned for the show finale. "Ten Years Gone: A Jerry Garcia Tribute" will occur Saturday, Aug. 6 at Tee Jay's Pavillion, 143 Palmer St., on Rte. 32 in Munson. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. For more information, e-mail Walsh at jimipickle@hotmail.com.