I had the privilege of gong to my first Dead show with 2 very good friends that took me not only because they knew it would be an experience I’d always remember but because off the love they have for the music,people,and atmosphere that is part of the show, and they had as much of a good time seeing me be in awe of the scene and the music. . These 2 friends are Mike and Steve Cagle .. we had an absolute blast.. they had both been to quite a bit of shows prior to Buckeye Lake ,so unlike me they had good idea of how great of a show and venue ir was going to be
. Well I belive they were a bit taken back with how incredible that show was.. for those of you that don’t know. The Dead rarely toured with an opening act.. I believe it’s because for their love and passion for music and being able to jam with their family (fans).. well they has an opening act at that show
.Steve Miller came out and played. Then next thing you knew Jerry Garcia walks out and has a jam session with Steve Miller… this was is 92 .. the first and I believe only Grateful Dead song to Java had a video on MTV (that was when MTV still played videos).. the song….. “Touch of Grey^ is what they opened with .. the song set on that night was truly nothing short of brilliant… their encode was “Baba Oriley”(Teenage Wasteland) they did a Who cover.. what an experience!!! That venue is a natural ampitheatre out in the middle of nowhere ,cattle one side of the road and the ampitheatre on the other side of the road… now this is cool… for those of you that know the first verse of that song is….. Out here in the fields .I fight for my meals” and that’s where we were at… out in the middle of nowhere in a pasture of sorts (field) watching and listening to The Dead. . I’m no where near as familiar with The Dead as Mike or Steve .but I do love music and I knew going back to the campground that night after the show that I had just been part of something really really cool.. I just didn’t know how cool.. I say that because to this day there are many a Dead Head .. a “true” Dead Head that will tell you ,if asked that ,that was one of the best shows The Dead ever performed at.. it was one of the last shows Jerry played at , in fact after that they went to Soldier Field and played ,and Jerry’s health kept worsening and they cancelled their Fall tour.. and not long after that we lost a musical legend .. a pioneer of sorts in music.. I’m so thankful that I got to be part of moment in time like tike that.. it made such a lasting impression on me that I still smile reminiscing on it… and I’m telling you I couldn’t have went with 2 better people for my first dead show. . The environment couldn’t of been any better than it was with Mike and Steve … we had the best time. . It was really one of those moments that the environment and the people I was with made it even better than it would of been.. I think that’s what those shows were all about….. Family.Great friends and music .. because after all ,at the end of the day isn’t that what it’s all about … Family,Friends and music that moves your soul… RIP Jerry Garcia .. though you’re gone. .. you’ll never be forgotten. And thank you Mike and Steve for taking me with yall… I’ll never forget it