Join KALW program hosts JoAnn Mar, Dore Stein, Peter Thompson, and Kevin Vance to celebrate 70 years of the oldest FM station west of the Mississippi with performances from three bands whose music reflects KALW's eclectic, multi-faceted programming.

Wake the Dead formed when eight top Bay Area musicians realized they shared as deep a love for the songs of the Grateful Dead as they did for traditional Celtic tunes. The world's first Celtic all-star Grateful Dead jam band, Wake the Dead is a romp that flows seamlessly from rock grooves to hot Irish reels, and from haunting airs to achingly beautiful melodies familiar to Deadheads everywhere. The eerie lilt of the uilleann pipes, giving a glow to "Bird Song" as if it was always meant to be there—a delight for Deadheads, folkies, jam band fans, and adventurous music lovers alike.

Soulful, virtuoso saxophonist George Brooks and bassist Kai Eckhardt are two of the leading cross-pollinating musicians of their generation. George bridges the worlds of jazz and Indian classical music through groups such as Summit (with Zakir Hussain) and Bombay Jazz (with Larry Coryell), and collaborates with a wide variety of musicians, including Terry Riley, Yo-Yo Ma, Etta James, and Ray Manzarek. Kai came to the fore as a member of the John McLaughlin Trio, is now part of Garaj Mahal, and has recorded and performed with Billy Cobham, Wayne Shorter, Bela Fleck, Michael Franti, and Bill Frisell.

The Foggy Mountain Boys, launched in 1948 with Earl Scruggs' electrifying and innovative banjo and Lester Flatt's forceful guitar and compelling singing, became the most popular band in the history of bluegrass. Banjo powerhouse Bill Evans hosts an all-star tribute to Flatt & Scruggs with a hot band that includes Del Williams (guitar), Kathy Kallick (guitar), David Thom (mandolin), Jim Mintun (dobro), Markie Sanders (bass), and Paul Shelasky (fiddle). Everybody sings, and the program ranges from the band's early 50s classics to the folk-influenced sounds of their later years. You'll delight in Lester's memorable songs, Earl's timeless banjo tunes, and the Martha White Theme, all of which is guaranteed to make you smile and shout, "Goodness gracious, they're good!"

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Visit Wake the Dead's website

Visit George's website

Visit Kai's website

Listen to a track from Wake the Dead: