* The Bull Run Presents: New Riders of the Purple Sage

New Riders of the Purple Sage

8-7-2014

The long-awaited return of The New Riders of the Purple Sage has fans in a psychedelic/country head spin. Guitarist David Nelson and pedal steel wizard Buddy Cage will represent the NRPS catalog along with Michael Falzarano (guitar, mandolin and vocals), Johnny Markowski (drums and vocals) and Ron Penque (bass and vocals). You may recognize Falzarano from Hot Tuna, Markowski from Stir Fried and Penque from Melvin Seals and JGB. Original NRPS bass player Dave Torbert, drummer Spencer Dryden and co-founder John Dawson have passed away, Nonetheless, the new lineup vows to keep the NRPS spirit and tunes alive by taking them to fans everywhere. (www.nrps.net)

The New Riders, 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 1971 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.
The band recently teamed up with Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter and released it’s first CD in twenty years to rave reviews, "Where I Come From" (Woodstock Records).

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