3G Links
the 3G's Bands
Melvin Seals w/ The Schwag~Dead Ahead
Geronimo Black, two sons of Jimmy Carl Black-Zappa fame
Bud Smokers Jamboree
Wood Groove
Blue Smoke Funk Band
One Man Gathers
Founding Members of Something New
Afternoon Moon
The Peanut Gallery
New Speedway Players
. . . and more!
Welcome to the 3Gs
August 1-5, 2012 - Black River Falls, Wisconsin
"If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine, and my tunes were played on the harp unstrung. Would you hear my voice, come through the music? Would you hold it near, as it were your own?"
The Grateful Garcia Gathering is now in its 9th year!
Friends and fans come from all around to dance and see to some of the best jambands in the midwest honoring and paying tribute to the Jerry Garcia Band/Grateful Dead's guitarist Jerry Garcia. It marks the celebration of Jerry Garcia's 70th Birthday, plus its the 17th Anniversary of Jerry Garcia's untimely passing. But its also a time when many fans pay tribute to remember other Grateful Dead members like Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, Keith Godchaux, Brent Mydland, and Vince Welnick.
We have leased the campground venue for Jerry Garcia's birthday on August 1st though August 5th, 2012 for our 9th annual 3G's festival.
Our confirmed headliners: MELVIN SEALS of the "Jerry Garcia Band" on the Hammond B-3 organ, for two nights on August 3rd & 4th w/THE SCHWAG~DEAD AHEAD! Special guest MARK KARAN, lead guitarist from "Bob Weir & Ratdog" will join fun with Melvin Seals, and The Schwag on stage Aug 4th! "Geronimo Black Band" will jam Late Night August 3rd.
Be sure to make your vacation plans now to take off work, because we lots of excitement planned for all! YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS! Melvin Seals is best known for his long 18 year friendship and musical partnership with cultural icon and guitarist Jerry Garcia and the smile of his that lights up the room. Melvin spun his B-3 magic with the Jerry Garcia Band for 18 years and in doing so helped pioneer and define what has now become "Jam Band Music".
Other great music festivals have hosted at this venue such as Weedstock, Farmapalooza, Sundog Summer Shakedown, the Big Wu Family Reunion, Campout Roots Festival, Effit Fest, just to name a few!
The venue features 75-plus acres of brilliant surroundings with tall trees that nicely shades your camp site. Campers are welcome to have campfires at each individual campsite and firewood is available at the venue. The venue has a full array of conveniences, including 2 facilities with flush toilets and hot showers and other luxurious accommodations. Other venue amenities include a sandy volleyball court, horseshoe pits, hiking trails, a refreshing Spring Fed Lake for your swimming pleasures, outdoor/indoor shower facility, a full service "Beer & Malt Beverages", and Soda Bar for our friends AGES 21+. Come out for the time of your life and share some fun times with Jerry smiling down on you!
This is going to be a deeply humble and special time for camping and gathering with friends, old and new! The 3G's will be a mix of wonderful music by some of the best Jambands in the midwest playing their original music, along with their selections of two or three Grateful Dead cover songs. A Real Good Time to be had this summer!
~Robin Sylvester Needs Our Help Now~
On the behalf of Mark Karan, and the 3G's family and friends, we're very happy to announce that we will be donating a percentage of each Grateful Garcia Gathering ticket sold this summer to our friend Robin Sylvester, who needs our help now. We will also have a Donation Jug at the gate for you folks to pitch in some coin!
In 2003 Robin Sylvester joined "Bob Weir & RatDog", and also plays occasionally with jambands Ghosts of Electricity, Melvin Seals & JGB, David Nelson & Friends, Jemimah Puddleduck and The Rubber Soldiers.
Robin has been hospitalized for several months, and is now awaiting a kidney transplant. Funds will be used to offset his medical bills, cost of a transplant and vital living expenses.
If you reading this, and you are thinking that maybe you have $10 or $15 to spare (any amount would be gratefully accepted), below is the offical link for you to donate to Robin directly. You will feel much better within yourself that you've helped Robin, who has given so much music, joy, energy, and magic from "Bob Weir & RatDog" over the years!
Thank you in advance from The Grateful Garcia Gathering Family, Mark Karan, Robin Sylvester, his Family and Friends, and Sweet Relief...