Click here to see the photos. RatDog opened for the Allman Brothers Band in Hershey, PA on 08-25-2008 at the Hershey Pavilion.  RatDog is fronted by the ex-Grateful Dead member, Bob Weir.  Bob Weir has had an assortment of line up changes over the years but the lineup since 2003 has been: Bob Weir, Jay Lane, Jeff Chimenti, Mark Karan, Kenny Brooks, Robin Sylvester. Bob Weir provides the vocals and also lays down the rhythm guitar in the group while the lead guitarist, Mark Karan, lays down the solos over top.  Karan has played in offspring bands of the Dead like Phil Lesh and Friends, The Other Ones, etc. for years so he knows how to dial in the Jerry sounds and scales very well. The set (see setlist below) had some great points Black Bird and Friend of the Devil were personal favorites of mine in addtion to: Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers Band and Gov’t Mule) took the guest spot on St. Stephen > William Tell Bridge > The Eleven and took the stitched together shows to new heights.  Warren Haynes has toured with The Dead and is advertised as taking Jerry Garcia’s place in the reunited Grateful Dead for the Rock for Barack concert that is yet to be finalized, but we know it will be in Pennsylvania. This was more of a double bill than having a headliner and an opener.  Both bands are very well known, have band members that have both played roles in creating musical history. This late August night was a perfect summer concert evening.  The sunset took place during RatDog’s opening slot but even after the sunset, the weather was a very comfortable evening filled with great music and Hersheypark fun! The setlist for the evening was (setlist taken from ratdog.org): Jam > Here Comes Sunshine > Big River She Belongs to Me Lucky Enough > Deal Blackbird Friend of the Devil Estimated Prophet > The Other One > Stuff > Stella Blue St. Stephen* > William Tell Bridge* > The Eleven* *-with Warren Haynes (Guitar/Vocals); “Other One” was second verse only and featured “Spanish Jam” Bob sat in with ABB on “Highway 61 Revisited” Kenny and Jeff sat in with ABB on “The Same Thing”

I was offered a ticket to the Allman Brothers/Ratdog show at the Hershey Pavilion tonight. But I declined the invite. You see, when I go to a concert, I like to enjoy myself. And I’m not referring to any earth-shattering activities…just, you know…having fun at the show. But the Gestapo in Derry Township have made it crystal clear that [...]