When Garcia died, and I decided not to play, I came out here.- Bill Kreutzmann
Well, to tell you the straight honest truth, it was like a Grateful Dead cover band. I didn't feel - and nothing against the guys - I didn't feel that they were opening up like they should. I will tell you what, with guitar players, Steven has what I like in guitar players.
Oh yeah, it's great see music and to play music in small places. And it's really fun for me to play here because, you know, I played two feet from people all night. And after all those years, it's great to be able to talk to folks.
My dad loved black singers. So listening to New Orleans music, eventually I wanted to play an instrument.
It's not the same without Jerry. It never will be.
In the very beginning we were a real tight family but now it's different. You know, toward the end, we had separate limos, stuff like that. It's hard to get six giant egos in the same place.
I have gone through guys who want to lay on their backs and play like they're full of themselves. You know, I do not care about posing. I mean look at me, do I care about posing?
I am really thankful and complimented when people come to me and say, thank you for the great times for all these years. But I do not think about it as being a leader.
I'd rather play here in this small bar and just do a good show. Because it's fun and there's no expectations, it's encouragement to be different, do something new.
I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't fun. It's just a whole different thing these days.
I saw a drummer play once when I was a kid and I thought, that is really cool. You know, you are moving. You're using your arms and fingers. So I tried it and I loved it.
I mean, when it gets down to it I just wanted to play the drums. The rest of it never meant that much to me.
I mean, we just started, it's a new thing. We're doing this for fun and we are going to see where it goes.
I made that decision back in 1985. I was out here getting certified in SCUBA with Garcia in Kona and I thought to myself, this is a place to wake up in in the morning.
I love the farm, I love growing stuff.
