Further Festival, The Other Ones, Alpine Valley, East Troy, WI, 7/11/1998

After the Montage Mountain show, we made it to Starlake Amphitheater outside of Pittsburgh. But I didn't get in, so I worked the lot for funds and danced outside the fence within earshot of the music, that Playing>Sugar Magnolia did it for me, and then we drove all night to Wisconsin. 

Pre-show: Wisconson was a trip. One of my riders, Tennessee Jed, setup a deal with huge number of frat guys staying at our hotel for this show for thousands of doses, and honestly, Jed was feeling awfully nervous about it, but thankfully, it all worked out, right there next to the outdoor pool of the local hotel. They also gave us free tickets to H.O.R.D.E. Festival, which was the day before The Other Ones. So we worked the H.O.R.D.E parking lots, building up the cash reserves for the next day, and then went in to the show. Mighty Mighty Bosstones wasn't doing it for me, nor was Blues Traveler, but on a small side stage within Alpine Valley, I did see a band for the first time, and they got my attention: Gov't Mule- my first Warren Haynes show. Interesting, to say the least. 

The Other Ones show the next day was amazing. Alpine Valley was to me a sacred venue for Grateful Dead music. I worked all day long in the hot sun working the lots. But the time I got into the show, I was fried, mentally, physically, and in perfect condition for the opening song: DARK STAR!

I never dreamed I'd hear Phil's opening bass line to Dark Star, and honestly, it was the theme of the whole concert, and pretty much all I remember. The lawn was steep, the lovelight was a great way to end the show, and I had so much fun. Only a week before this I was bored, depressed, and broke, but on this night, I had money, I was listening to Dark Star played by the surviving members of the Dead. 

WOW! 

The Other Ones, 7/11/1998

Dark Star > Jack Straw, Sugaree, West L.A. Fadeaway, Baba Jingo, Tennessee Jed, Easy Answers, Across the River > Drumz > Dark Star Jam > Preacher in the Ring > Box of Rain > Dark Star > St. Stephen > The Eleven > Turn On Your Lovelight

E: One More Saturday Night