The Great American Music Band and The Great American String Band *

The Great American Music Band (* see footnote on group name) started at a show at the Great American Music Hall with David Grisman, Richard Greene and Vassar Clements probably in early 1974. From that point onward Grisman and Greene performed a number of times using the name playing primarily instrumental music and providing a vehicle for David Grisman's compositions. Initially the group line-up, with the exception of Grisman and Greene, depended on who was available for any given show. During this period Jerry Garcia played with the group for a number of shows between April and June 1974. David Nichtern, Taj Mahal and Buell Neidlinger also played with the group during these months.

After a few months Grisman and Greene decided to continue the group and develop the instrumental concept with regular sidemen. The first settled line-up was Grisman and Greene plus guitarists John Carlini and Ellen Kearney, and bassist Joe Carroll. Richard Greene left the group around the end of 1974 and a second line-up emerged with Grisman and Joe Carroll plus the second mandolin of Todd Phillips and fiddler Darol Anger. In 1975, with the addition of Tony Rice, this group became the first David Grisman Quintet.

Song played by the Great American Music Band w/ Jerry Garcia

Billy In The Low Ground
Bud's Bounce
Cedar Hill
Colored Aristocracy
Dawg's Bull
Dawg's Rag
Drink Up And Go Home
I'll Be A Gambler
Limehouse Blues
Methodist Preacher
Midnight At The Oasis
Lonesome Moonlight Waltz
Plastic Banana
Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Russian Lullaby
Sheik of Araby
Sweet Georgia Brown
Swing '42
Virgin's Lament
Will The Circle Be Unbroken