Photo Credit
1 - Scavo’s Photos
2 - Arty Lange Photography
3 - Arty Lange Photography
4 - Arty Lange Photography
5 - Mike Fenton
Shakedown Strings - A Long Strange Trip to the Last Frontier
Contributed by Zachary Krogh
For 5 straight nights at 5 different venues throughout Alaska, Shakedown Vegas Presents Shakedown Strings: Truckin’ to Alaska. Whether you’re a long-time Deadhead or just a lover of good live music, you won’t want to miss Kansas City’s acoustic tribute to the Grateful Dead as they make their way north to the future from January 22nd through the 26th. This tour marks a special occasion not just for Shakedown Stings as the bands biggest trip from Missouri to date, but also for Shakedown Vegas organizer Robert Shatzer. Truckin’ to Alaska represents a homecoming for Robert as he makes his way back to Alaska for the first time in 16 years where he has deep roots in the music and concert community. For those who have remained in Alaska’s live music/entertainment scene over the last 20 years, you may remember a monthly entertainment guide called AK This Month which was published and distributed statewide by Mr. Shatzer from 2001-2006.
Shakedown Strings brings a warm and bluegrassy interpretation to the extensive library of Grateful Dead songs. The trio of Adam Galblum, Clayton DeLong and Rick Willoughby blend their improvisational talents with their rich background in jazz performance to produce a unique sound that separates them from your average Grateful Dead cover band. Their individual musical accomplishments include a sold-out concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado as well as classical performances with the Topeka Symphony giving a slight glimpse to the depth and range of their musical prowess. Sprung from a spontaneous suggestion one night the band is overwhelmed at the response to this relatively new project.
It should be no surprise that a jamgrass tribute to the Grateful Dead has made their way across North America to play under the northern lights. Alaska has a special history within the Grateful Dead timeline going all the way back to June of 1980. West High auditorium in Anchorage played host to Jerry and the gang for 3 nights over solstice weekend with an intimate audience of just 2000 lucky “tuned in” concertgoers. Alaska also boasts a rich history of Appalachian bluegrass going all the way back to the 1940’s. With bands like Bearfoot Bluegrass and Blackwater Railroad hailing from Alaska and making string music more and more popular, Shakedown Strings will find themselves right where they belong this January.
To get the tour started off on a positive note, the first show on Wednesday January 22nd will be a benefit concert for the Denali Arts Council in Talkeetna. The Sheldon Community Arts Hangar is a very unique place to see a show and recently hosted the aforementioned Blackwater Railroad just last October. If you want to support a good cause and see a good show, this is the night for you! The band will keep up the momentum and continue to let the good times roll right into Palmer for the second night of the run. Sponsored by Palmer Alehouse, this will be the trio’s only free show. The family friendly establishment is celebrating 10 years of craft beer and delicious food this year making them an enticing destination for what is sure to be a very special night of music.
The weekend shows start off with Friday night, January 24th, in Homer, Alaska. Shakedown Strings will be truckin’ down to the famous Alice’s Champagne Palace. This historic venue originally opened back in 1976 and has remained a part of the Homer landscape ever since. Saturday will likely be the busiest show on the tour as the band comes full circle and returns to the point of orgin in Anchorage. They’ll be taking the stage at Koot’s for what is sure to be one heck of a show. Originally named Chilkoot Charlie's, Koots is no strange place to promoter Robert Shatzer. During his time running AK This Month, Robert brought bands to Chilkoot Charlie’s from all over the United States and now is returning with his new project, Shakedown Vegas Presents and the Truckin’ to Alaska Tour.
Their final stop on the tour coincides with the Anchorage Folk Festival. The 36th annual
Anchorage Folk Festival takes place from January 23rd to February 2nd and features
Shakedown Strings at 7:30pm at the UAA Wendy Williamson Auditorium on Sunday January 26th. The Anchorage Folk Festival offers free workshops for those in attendance that want to learn more about music and showcases singers and songwriters from all over the country. Shakedown Strings is sure to be in good company with previous guests of the festival including The Travelin’ McCourys, Bearfoot Bluegrass and The Red Stick Ramblers to name only a few. Be sure to check out the festival’s website www.anchoragefolkfest.com for a full list of activities and concerts.
With 5 shows happening in 4 different cities, there is plenty of opportunity to see one show or see all 5 knowing that none of them will be the same. On Saturday Jan 25th at Koots, the band will be recreating the second set from the Grateful Dead's Sat June 22nd, 1980, performance. You can purchase tickets and stay informed on start times for each show at www.shakedownstrings.com and stay engaged with the band by following them on Facebook and Instagram.