Billy & the Kids
| Billy & the Kids | |
|---|---|
 The logo of Billy & the Kids | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | USA |
| Genres | Rock |
| Years active | 2014 – present |
| Associated acts | Grateful Dead, Rhythm Devils, BK3, Tea Leaf Green, 7 Walkers, Disco Biscuits, Joe Russo's Almost Dead, American Babies |
| Members |
Bill Kreutzmann Tom Hamilton Jr. Reed Mathis Aron Magner |
Billy & the Kids is an American rock band formed in 2014 by Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann, American Babies guitarist Tom Hamilton, Tea Leaf Green bassist Reed Mathis and the Disco Biscuits keyboardist Aron Magner.
Origins and history
In September 2014 Bill Kreutzmann appeared at the second annual Lockn' Festival with a band billed as Bill Kreutzmann's Locknstep Allstars. The band was assembled to help fill in for Bob Weir & RatDog who cancelled their appearance at the festival and it consisted of Kreutzmann, Hamilton, Magner, Oteil Burbridge and Steve Kimock. They were joined for some songs by special guests Keller Williams, Taj Mahal, and Papa Mali.
In late 2014 Kreutzmann announced the formation of Billy & the Kids which consists of almost the same lineup as the Locknstep Allstars, without Steve Kimock and with Reed Mathis playing bass in place of Oteil Burbridge.[1][2] They performed their first concert on December 13 at the 26th Warren Haynes Christmas Jam, where they were joined by special guests such as Col. Bruce Hampton and Warren Haynes.[3]
Beginning in early 2015 the band has been performing throughout the United States. Many of their shows feature a theme relating to the Grateful Dead, such as Europe Seventy 2.0 and Spring '90 Revisited.[4][5]
To date, almost all of the band's shows have featured special guests such as Robert Randolph and Kreutzmann's former Grateful Dead bandmate Bob Weir. Sometimes these guests sit in for a song or two and other times they accompany the group for an entire set or show.
Members
- Bill Kreutzmann – drums (2014–present)
- Tom Hamilton – guitar, vocals (2014–present)
- Reed Mathis – bass, vocals (2014–present)
- Aron Magner – keyboards, vocals (2014–present)
Special Guests
- Vinnie Amico - drums (5/13/15)
- Tim Carbone - fiddle (9/18/15)
- Col. Bruce Hampton - keyboards (12/13/14)
- Jason Hann - drums (4/20/15, 9/10/15)
- Mickey Hart - drums (9/12/15)
- Warren Haynes - guitar, vocals (12/13/14, 8/1/15, 4/15/16)
- Eric Krasno - guitar (8/1/15, 9/10/15, 4/8/16, 4/9/16, 4/15/16*)
- Dominic Lalli - saxophone (4/20/15)
- John Popper - harmonica (9/10/15)
- Robert Randolph - pedal steel guitar, vocals (3/27/15)
- Al Schnier - guitar (5/13/15#)
- Snarky Puppy Horns - horns (9/18/15)
- Duane Trucks - drums (5/13/15)
- Bob Weir - guitar, vocals (8/15/15#, 9/12/15*, 4/8/2016#)[6]
* Full concert performance
# Full set performance
References
- ↑ "Bill Kreutzmann Confirms Billy and the Kids Lineup", Jambands.com, October 8, 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
- ↑ "Bill Kreutzmann to Debut New Band", Dead.net, October 19, 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
- ↑ Kelly, Stu (December 14, 2015). "Billy & the Kids & Govt Mule Highlight 26th Christmas Jam", JamBase. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
- ↑ "Billy and the Kids to Play 'Spring '90 Revisited' Show in Denver", Jambands.com, January 23, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
- ↑ "Billy & the Kids and Robert Randolph to Play 'Europe Seventy 2.0' Show", Live for Live Music, February 12, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
- ↑ Bernstein, Scott (April 9, 2016). "Bob Weir Guests with Billy & the Kids at Sweetwater Music Hall", JamBase. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
