This episode is dedicated to Neal Casal.

We honor the dead by living. Sometimes that’s not an easy thing to do. That’s why we’re grateful to have friends and music to get us through—it reaffirms our connection to what’s essential. American Beauty was written and recorded at a time when members of the Dead were bidding fare thee well to loved ones, and they channeled their grief on exquisitely sparse songs of heartbreak, hope, and resilience. From the high and lonesome to the rockin’ and rapturous, this record heralds the arrival of the Grateful Dead as songwriters who understood how to get their music across in the studio. This is a deeply human record that celebrates the joys and sorrows of being—there’s grace and grit in equal measures, with four-part harmonies to boot. You can put on at a backyard BBQ or become utterly enveloped in headphones. And crucially, American Beauty is good medicine. That’s something we all need from time to time.

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year. And also the darkest… literally. The solstice is a time of reflection, when we acknowledge past struggles and victories, joys and sorrows. The holiday edition of Dead to Me explores how the Grateful Dead’s music helps us heal. Dead To Me Executive Producer Kevin Hill joins us to talk about how the band’s music helped him recover from a near-death experience. Later, Maria Spinella, executive producer of CNN Tonight with Don Lemon, reflects on the band’s transformative role in her life—from her days as a teenage concertgoer to the aftermath of profound personal loss. Feed Your Head profiles reluctant Deadhead Trixie Garcia, daughter of Jerry and the executor of his estate. At the end of the day, this show is about family and the powerful connections forged between human beings. Our frailties and hardships, as well as our grace and resilience. Oh, and also that fat guy with the beard.

Good tidings from all of us at Dead to Me, and we’ll see you in the New Year.

We’ve already established that are so many roads to Dead fandom. But with decades’ worth of music and lore to sift through, cultivating a deeper appreciation can be a challenge. This episode looks at the tools we use to dig the Dead, and how context is key to finding your seat on the bus. Ed and Casey examine the band’s online presence from the days of dial-up to our current era of 24/7 access, along with the digital platforms that make it easier to get your Dead on. Here’s a heavy trip: at some point in the not-too-distant future, the people who made this music—and everyone who saw the original band live—will be dust and bones. Is access a valid surrogate for experience? Will Dead culture perpetuate when the legacy is archive-only? Later, Casey gets down with Neal Casal, guitarist for the Chris Robinson Brotherhood and Circles Around the Sun. A thoughtful and engaging player and thinker, Neal has also collaborated with Cass McCombs’ Skiffle Players, Beachwood Sparks, Phil Lesh, and Bob Weir. He shares tips on where to dive in and offers a heartfelt account of his own Dead devotion. Plus a Feed Your Head profile on the biggest Deadhead around: the internet.

A ChunkyGlasses Production

Neal Casal of Circles Around The Sun and The Chris Robinson Brotherhood

Show Notes

Grateful Dead Resources:

Live Music Archive

Relisten

Grateful Dead Archive Online

Headyversion

Grateful Dead Guide

Save Your Face