So much music is filling the air these days. While the Dead do their "Fare Thee Well" concerts, bands are playing and singing all over world - and many are keeping the Dead music alive in their own way. You can add the Thugz to that list. We had so much fun playing for the hometown gang at the "Rockin' the River" event in Guerneville on July 2nd. We played in the plaza for a big crowd that was ready to party and set the mood for a long weekend. Even though we mostly did original tunes, we did do a rousing "Sugar Magnolia" to keep the Dead tribute going. It was a day for dancing, so we did our Dead-infused version of "Dancin' in the Streets," fondly remembering when we did that tune riding a float down Main Street in the winter Parade of Lights. Once again, there was dancin' everywhere, and fun was had by all. Today we're off to Forestville to play for the Backyard's 4th of July barbeque. We'll follow Planet Waves, a band dedicated to Dylan tunes - so the whole spectrum of the Dead's musical experience will find expression out there today. We play "Cosmic Americana" style music - how much more patriotic can we be? It's very exciting to know that so many true blue Americans can hold a beautiful red rose and sway to the strains of "Ripple." We hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July holiday weekend. Take care. Love, Sylvia