SAT. 11.02.2013 · 09:00PM · $37
The New Riders of the Purple Sage, signed
to Columbia Records by Clive Davis, released its eponymous first album
in September 1971 to widespread acclaim. In the next 11 years the band
toured and released over 12 albums, selling over 4 million records.
NRPS began as a part-time spin-off from the Grateful Dead when Jerry
Garcia (pedal steel guitar), Phil Lesh (bass) and Mickey Hart (drums)
teamed up with John Dawson (guitar, vocals) and David Nelson (guitar).
Although early live appearances were viewed as an informal warm-up to
the main attraction, the group quickly established an independent
identity through the strength of Dawson's original songs. By 1970 Dave
Torbert had replaced Lesh, and Spencer Dryden, formerly of Jefferson
Airplane, had joined as the group's permanent drummer. Garcia remained
in both The Dead and The New Riders until he found himself
overcommitted, at which time Buddy Cage replaced him and the classic
NRPS lineup was born. Original NRPS bass player Dave Torbert and drummer
Spencer Dryden have passed away, co-founder John Dawson Passed away in
2009 due to ongoing health problems. His considerable talents will be
missed but his songs and musical legacy will live on. Before he passed
he had given his blessing and was excited to know his music is being
heard live again by a whole new generation of fans. The new lineup vows
to keep the NRPS spirit and tunes alive by taking them to fans
everywhere. The band recently teamed up with Grateful Dead lyricist
Robert Hunter and released its first CD in twenty years to rave reviews,
Where I Come From (Woodstock Records).
David Nelson has managed the seemingly impossible. He has remained true
to his musical vision and integrity without becoming outdated or archaic
in the process. Nelson, an important figure in the musical vanguard of
the influential Haight-Ashbury music scene, spawned the Grateful Dead.
His ties to Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter extend beyond that with The
Wildwood Boys, a bluegrass band they formed together in 1962 in Palo
Alto, CA. After the Dead got together, Nelson played guitar on three
pivotal albums, Aoxomoxoa, Workingman's Dead and American Beauty.
Around the same time, Garcia bought a pedal steel guitar, which he
enjoyed playing with John Dawson, a friend from the Palo Alto days. They
formed the New Riders of the Purple Sage with Nelson and the Dead's
Mickey Hart and Phil Lesh. Nelson who sang one of New Rider's biggest
hits, a cover of bluegrass great Peter Rowan's "Panama Red," stayed
with the group for 13 years, but left in 1982 and starting writing songs
with longtime pal Robert Hunter, among others. Along the way, he was a
member of the Good Ol' Boys, featuring bluegrass legends Don Reno,
Chubby Wise and Frank Wakefield. He also played in the Jerry Garcia
Acoustic Band and is featured on their 1988 album, "Almost Acoustic."
Then in 1994, Nelson formed the David Nelson Band where he showcased his
plethora of songs. In six years, DNB released four CDs. Three are live
efforts: 1995's Limited Edition, 1997's Keeper of the Key, and 1999's
High Adventure in Japan, which is also a concert video. In 1999 Nelson
released the band's studio debut, Visions Under the Moon which was
recorded in Portland, OR's Aladdin Theater. Things have come full
circle with Nelson at the helm of The New Riders.
Not only has Buddy Cage sold over four million records in his ten years
with the NRPS, but he has also performed on many gold and platinum
albums during his distinguished career including Blood On The Tracks
(Dylan), Biograph (Dylan), The Official Bootleg Tapes (Dylan) and
various releases with Ann Murray. Cage has also recorded with Grateful
Dead Members Garcia, Weir and Hart as well as with Dead lyricist Robert
Hunter (on Tales of the Rum Runners); Ian and Sylvia (Great Speckled
Bird, the seminal folk band of which Cage was a member); John Cipollina
(Quick Silver Messenger Service); Mario Cipollina (Huey Lewis and The
News); Rick James; Rick Danko and Garth Hudson (The Band); David Rea
(Fairport Convention and Mountain); The Shondells; David Bromberg (with
Bonnie Raitt); Pappa John Creach (Hot Tuna); Sly Stone; and Vassar
Clements, to name a few. No stranger to TV, Cage has appeared on
numerous shows and specials from Della Reese, Joey Bishop and Mike
Douglas to Richie Havens, Seals & Croft, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash
(Grand Ole Opry), Don Kirschner's In Concert & Rock Concert series
and the Midnight Special shows hosted by Wolfman Jack. Most recently
Buddy can be heard on his show on Sirus Satellite Radio, Jam On
(channel 17) from 6 to midnight Monday through Friday
Guitarist/singer/songwriter Michael Falzarano, a member of NRPS since
2005, has previously been a member of Hot Tuna, the famed offspring of
The Jefferson Airplane, and The Memphis Pilgrims, a Memphis-style rock
‘n’ roll/blues band that he founded. Falzarano's current release is a
solo project entitled We Are All One on Woodstock Records and features
Vassar Clements, Melvin Seals, Jorma Kaukonen, Garth Hudson, Buddy Cage
and many others. Previous releases include The King James Sessions and
Mecca. He has toured extensively throughout the world on shared
billings with The Allman Brothers, Black Crowes, The Other Ones, Rusted
Root, Bruce Hornsby and Los Lobos, among others. Falzarano has also
appeared live or recorded with such musical greats as Bob Weir (Grateful
Dead); Levon Helm, Rick Danko and Garth Hudson (The Band); John Lee
Hooker; Johnny Copeland; Hubert Sumlin (Howlin’ Wolf); Vassar Clements;
Paul Simon; Dr. John; Graham Parker; Merl Saunders; Steve Kimok; Bill
Keith; Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers, Gov’t Mule, The Dead); Warren
Zevon; Greg Allman (Allman Brothers); David Crosby; Eric Anderson; Arlo
Guthrie; John Sebastian (Lovin' Spoonful); Geoff Atchison; Bruce
Hornsby; Pete Sears; Jonnie Johnson (Chuck Berry); Buddy Cage (New
Riders); Peter Rowan; Derek Trucks (Allman Brothers); Paul Kanter (The
Jefferson Starship); Trey Anastasio (Phish); Guy Davis; Jimmy Herring;
Melvin Seals (The Jerry Garcia Band); John Popper (Blues Traveler); and
Robert Hunter.
Ronnie Penque has been playing music for over 30 years. When not working
with NRPS or his band RONNIE PENQUE BAND, which includes his brother
Chris Penque on guitar, Ron is busy as a session player. Ronnie started
out as the original bass player in the popular Grateful Dead cover band
Ripple. Through the years Ron has also played with many other bands and
great musicians including Bobby Weir, Mickey Hart, Vassar Clements,
Peter Rowan, Melvin Seals, Robert Hunter, John Popper, Pete Sears, David
Nelson, Barry Sless, Keller Wiliams, Donna Jean Godchaux, Jeff Pevar,
and Michael Falzarano. After Ripple retired in 2003, Ron was asked by
keyboardist Melvin Seals of The Jerry Garcia Band to join his band,
"Melvin Seals and JGB." A short time after joining Melvin and JGB,
NRPS drummer Johnny Markowski came on board and the two developed a lock
and key rhythmic feel on bass and drums that they brought to The New
Riders. If the name Penque is familiar, Ron's uncle the late Romeo
Penque was one of the most famous woodwind and flute players in the
industry who was best known for his work with Miles Davis. At age 12
Ronnie was taught to play bass by his father Ron Penque Sr., an
accomplished session bass player for 20 years, who gave Ronnie his 57
Precision bass (Dads Bass) upon his retirement. Some of Ronnie's
musical influences are The Grateful Dead’s Phil Lesh, NRPS bass player
Dave Torbert, Donald Duck Dunn, John Entwistle, Paul McCartney and Jack
Casady, among others.
Johnny Markowski, an accomplished drummer, can be found playing his kit
these days with The New Riders of the Purple Sage. When not on the road
with The NRPS, Johnny works with his band, Stir Fried, and plays with
various artists in many styles. Songwriting is also in his blood. His
father, Thomas Jefferson Kaye, was a legendary producer and songwriter
in the 1960s and 1970s. Markowski’s band, Stir Fried, known for its
blend of swamp groove, psychedelic improvisational music performs
signature versions of Kaye masterpieces in addition to Markowski
originals. The group has recorded and performed with the likes of Dr.
John, Vassar Clements (Old & In The Way), Commander Cody, Buddy Cage
(NRPS), Jo Jo Herman (Widespread Panic), Bernie Worrell (P Funk,
Talking Heads), Derek Trucks (Allman Bros. Band) and Tony Trischka.
Recently Jambands.com held a contest for the most impressive
drummer/percussionist, and after two weeks of voting Markowski won hands
down, beating out some pretty heavy competition.