ARTICLE CONTRIBUTED BY GABRIEL DAVID BARKIN | PUBLISHED ON June 4, 2024

Jeremy Hoenig and the Terrapin Roadshow Band with Peter Rowan

Day 2 of the Terrapin Roadshow at the Bruns Amphitheater in Orinda was billed as “Western Sunday,” promising a late-afternoon and evening of country and bluegrass. Legend Peter Rowan was the ostensible starring headliner of the day, and an all-star cast of Terrapin Crossroads graduates and local jam band luminaries were on hand to share the stage and wow the crowd.

Elliot Peck

Sunny skies with scattered clouds greeted a sold-out crowd in the Shakespearean theater surrounded by oaks and golden hills. For most of the day it was short-sleeve weather, only beginning to chill by the time the final set began. Children romped about blowing bubbles and cavorting in a carefree manner not too different from their hippie parents.

Elliot Peck and Nat Keefe

Nat Keefe

An hour-long opening set by Nat Keefe and Elliott Peck included Keefe’s version of John Lennon’s “Jealous guy” and Peck’s rousing take on Alison Krauss’s “Oh Atlanta.” Jason Crosby joined the fun for a few songs on fiddle and keys, and Keefe’s HBR bandmate Erik Yates came on stage to add some Dobro and vocals to the mix. Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz and Keefe traded licks on Peck’s original “Good for You Guess” from her 2018 solo LP.

Nat Keefe and Lebo

The Roadshow continued with two long sets featuring a core lineup of Crosby, Lebo, Stu Allen and Grahame Lesh on guitars, Steve Adams on bass, and Jeremy Hoenig on drums. Peck returned to the stage frequently on harmonies.

Lebo and More

Lebo, Grahame Lesh & Stu Allen

Peter Rowan appeared for the last two songs of the first set, and he returned to the center stage for most of the second set as well. Introducing “Lonesome LA Cowboy,” he reminded the audience that he wrote it when he went looking one time for a wayward Bob Dylan. Rowan’s incredible, timeless voice is as strong as ever, and his yodels echoed brilliantly off the golden hills in the background.

Peter Rowan

Terrapin Roadshow Band with Peter Rowan

Peter Rowan, Steve Adams & Lebo

For the encore, Jason Crosby was honored by an audience singalong of “Happy Birthday” and a cake. He blew out the candles as the sunlight dimmed, bringing a celebratory coda to a delightful day of music. Bravo to Paper Moon Productions, Terrapin Crossroads, and venue hosts Cal Shakes for a successful venture that brought joy to so many of the Terrapin faithful.

Brian Lesh, Nica Orlick-Roy & Birthday Boy Jason Crosby

Terrapin Roadshow Band with Peter Rowan

Terrapin Roadshow Fans

Side note: Rumors had swirled for a few days that Phil Lesh would make an appearance. In a sense he did; for the second set, he could be seen lounging with his family toward the back of the stage near the mixing board. Like the rest of us, he seemed to enjoy bearing witness to an incredible afternoon!

More pix and set lists below.

Elliot Peck

Elliot Peck

Nat Keefe

Lebo and More

Jeremy Hoenig and Steve Adams

Stu Allen

Jason Crosby

Terrapin Roadshow Band with Peter Rowan

Jeremy Hoenig

Grahame Lesh

Stu Allen & Elliot Peck

Grahame Lesh, Stu Allen, Elliot Peck & Lebo

Peter Rowan

Grahame Lesh, Stu Allen & Peter Rowan

Steve Adams

Grahame Lesh, Stu Allen & Steve Adams

Grahame Lesh, Lebo, Steve Adams, Peter Rowan & Elliot Peck

Stu Allen

TERRAPIN ROADSHOW BAND SET LIST

SET 1
Cumberland Blues
Señor
California Cottonfields
Dire Wolf
Train leaves Here
Pride of Cucamonga
Mama Tried
Through the Morning, Through the Night
Lonesome LA Cowboy
Panama Red > Freight Train > Panama Red

SET 2
Walls of Time
Rosalie McFall
Big River
Wild Horses
Sing Me Back Home
My Mountain
Midnight Moonlight
Sitttin’ on Top of the World
Sweet Melinda

ENCORE
I Know You Rider

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Review and photos by Gabriel Barkin | www.gdbarkin.com | IG: @gabrieldavidbarkin