The Music Plays the Band w/ Rob Korit...

The Music Plays the Band is a podcast from Dark Star Orchestra Drummer Rob Koritz about the influence of the Grateful Dead on the life and career of professional musicians from the jamband world and beyond. With the premise being musicians who like the Grateful Dead really love talking about the Grateful Dead, Rob has long form conversations with some of your favorite musicians about how they got turned on to the band and the impact it had on their life, music and careers. In addition to the feature interview, each episode will have three mini-segments:The Black Music Moment, highlighting the monumental influence of Black Music on the sound of the Grateful Dead. The Sarno Music Solutions Breakdown with audio guru Brad Sarno about ideas and techniques that shed light on the sonic secrets from the Grateful Dead audio world. There's a Grateful Dead Cover Band in Every Town features conversations with local Grateful Dead bands from around the country, discussing different approaches to covering the music and the communities that have developed around these scenes. With Dark Star Orchestra unable to tour due to the Pandemic, like many touring musicians Rob found himself in the unusual place of having lots of time at home. Not being able to bring the music to the people, Rob began engaging with fans online doing question and answer sessions, as well as some live interviews. As is often the case when dealing in all things Grateful Dead, events started taking on a life of their own and Rob was approached by old friends and St. Louis songwriting/production team Brothers Lazaroff about wanting to help Rob take these conversations further and create a formal podcast. After a few Zoom calls the plan was hatched. Pulling from his lifetime as a professional touring musician specializing in the music of the Grateful Dead, Rob is excited to bring conversations he feels are largely missing from the cannon of Grateful Dead inspired content. The Music Plays the Band is generously supported bySarno Music Solutions, Blue Jade Audio, The Authenticity Academy, Grateful Sweats and the Clean Store. Learn more and support the show at https://www.themusicplaystheband.net/

Music Interviews
Music Commentary
Music
1
Ep 35 Steve Parish
Rob is joined by longtime Grateful Dead crew member Steve Parish. Big Steve regales us with stories from his time on the road, his close relationship with Jerry Garcia and much much more..
75 min
2
Ep 34 Rick Turner revisited
In a tribute to the late luthier and designer of the Grateful Dead's iconic Wall of Sound, Rob goes back into the archive to bring you his conversation with Rick Turner.
60 min
3
Ep 33 Jackie Greene
Rob gets together with singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Jackie Greene. Jackie explains how he had to learn the Grateful Dead catalogue in a trial by fire situation, as a member of Phil Lesh's band.
71 min
4
Ep 32 Howard Levy (Harmonica virtuoso, Bela Fle...
Rob is joined by 2 time Grammy winning harmonica virtuoso, Howard Levy. They take a deep dive into his love for the Dead and his time recording with Jerry Garcia, plus some other great stories covering a wide range of topics.
86 min
5
Ep 31 Ray Benson (Asleep at the Wheel)
In this all Texas episode, Rob is joined by 10 time Grammy winner, Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel. Ray shares his musical upbringing, his early exposure to the Grateful Dead, and how his path crossed with the band on numerous occasions.
64 min
6
Ep 30 Dino English (Dark Star Orchestra)
Rob brings along his bandmate and drumming partner, Dino English for a casual conversation talking about all things Dead and drumming.
91 min
7
Ep 29 Peter Rowan
Rob goes in depth for a career spanning conversation with the legendary Peter Rowan
91 min
8
Ep 28 Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band, Melvin S...
In another very special episode recorded in Jamaica, Rob sits down with the one and only Melvin Seals. Melvin shares his experiences working with Jerry Garcia and offers some great insight into their relationship both on and off the stage. We go way back and hear how Melvin first got into music in the church and he explains the adjustments he had to make coming from that background into the world of improvisation.
71 min
9
Ep 27 Dan Lebowitz (ALO, Phil Lesh, Fog City Ho...
Rob comes to you from DSO's Jamaican Jam in the Sand featuring a deep dive with Dan "Lebo" Lebowitz touching on subjects ranging from the Dead to the mental and emotional side of playing music.
81 min
10
Episode 26 Al Schnier (moe.)
This week Rob has a lengthy conversation with guitarist, Al Schnier. Al is a dyed in the wool Deadhead and shares his journey with us and how it has influenced his experience with longtime jamband stalwarts, moe.
87 min
11
Ep 25 Andy Falco (Infamous Stringdusters)
This week, Rob talks with guitarist Andy Falco of the Grammy winning Infamous Stringdusters on how the Grateful Dead has influenced the playing and songwriting of both Andy and the Dusters.
78 min
12
Ep 24 Jason Crosby (Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Jackso...
This week Rob talks with multi-instrumentalist Jason Crosby. Jason takes time out while on the road with Jackson Browne to talk about his musical upbringing and the amazing opportunities that he had.
80 min
13
Special Edition- Dennis McNally (author, histor...
In his debut on the Pantheon Podcast network, Rob talks with the Dead's former publicist and official biographer, Dennis McNally.
62 min
14
Ep 23 Stu Allen ( Mars Hotel, Phil Lesh, JGB)
66 min
15
Ep 22 Bob Crawford (Avett Brothers)
75 min
16
Episode 21 Mark Karan ( Ratdog, The Other Ones)
79 min
17
Ep 20 Donna Jean Godchaux MacKay (Grateful Dead)
66 min
18
Ep 19 Jay Lane (Ratdog, Wolf Bros., Primus)
77 min
19
Ep 18. Barry Sless (Phil and Friends, David Nel...
67 min
20
Ep 17. Aaron Comess (Spin Doctors, Joan Osborne)
72 min
21
Episode 16 Vince Herman (Leftover Salmon)
71 min
22
Special Edition-Rob Koritz (Dark Star Orchestra...
28 min
23
Ep 15 Jeff Mattson (Dark Star Orchestra)
80 min
24
EP 14 Holly Bowling (Solo Piano, Ghost Light)
69 min
25
Ep. 13 Cris Jacobs ( Cris Jacobs Band, Neville/...
77 min