GRATEFUL DAWG

Year: 2000
USA: Sony Pictures Classics
UK: Columbia Tristar Films (UK)
Cast: Jerry Garcia (Guitar/Banjo/Vocals), David Grisman (Mandolin/Banjo), Joe Craven (Percussion), Jim Kerwin (Bass)
Director: Gillian Grisman
Country: USA
USA & UK: 81 mins
USA Rated: PG-13 for brief language
UK Certificate: 12A contains one use of strong language
USA Release Date: 12 October 2001 (Limited Release - Los Angeles and New York)
USA Release Date: 5 October 2001 (Limited Release - Los Angeles and San Francisco)
UK Release Date: 13 December 2002


Synopsis

In 1964, at a folk venue called Sunset Park in Pennsylvania, a young banjo player from San Francisco struck up a conversation with a mandolin player from New Jersey, in between sets of a concert by the father of bluegrass, Bill Monroe. Nearly a decade later, they would form one of the most popular bluegrass groups in musical history; twenty-five years after their first meeting, the two troubadours would release a series of albums that would delight and entertain fans of all ages and musical persuasions. And also in that time frame, Jerry Garcia would pick up the electric guitar and co-found the Grateful Dead, one of the most popular and influential musical groups ever; and David Grisman would revolutionize his instrument, develop a new sub-genre of folk music, eventually be dubbed "the Paganini of the mandolin" by the New York Times, and become one of the world's foremost performers, scholars, composers, producers and distributors of acoustic music. The deeply rooted musical friendship between Jerry Garcia and David Grisman is exquisitely detailed in the 80-minute musical documentary GRATEFUL DAWG. Produced by Acoustic Disc and 11th Hour Productions & Entertainment, Inc. and directed by Gillian Grisman, GRATEFUL DAWG includes live Garcia/Grisman performances as well as rare and unique personal moments from the studio, backstage and home-style jam sessions. Interviews with friends and family are intertwined with live and archival elements, creating an intimate portrait of Jerry and David's relationship.