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Likewise. I literally wore out at least 3 copies of that cassette, back in the old Maxell XLII 90 days. Funny story, longwinded but true, and related to this show: In 1983, I was a sophomore in college and punched my ticket on the bus in Hampton 4/9/83. Although I had been into the Dead's music since high school when I bought the Live Dead album, it took a bigger commitment to make the 12-15 hour drive from TN to the closest shows in Virginia and beyond. I did the Summer 83 east coast run, and in September, I felt like I hit the mail order lottery when I got a ticket for the NYE shows at the SF Civic. Following the NYE 81 Dark Star breakout and the NYE 82 Lovelight, Hard to Handle, Midnight Hour, etc, I arrogantly predicted a St Stephen breakout at New Years 83. I also started dating this woman, who liked to describe herself at the time as "an innocent girl in a pastel sweater with a sorority pin". She couldn't have identified the Dead in a police lineup, but she did like to make t-shirts! At my request, she hand-painted a black t-shirt with the logo: "St Stephen with a..." across the top, the iconic skeletal hand holding a rose in the center, and "New Year's '83" across the bottom. It was a beautiful shirt. For better or worse, i also talked her into riding with me and two buddies to her first shows at Richmond and Greensboro. She thought we were crazy for driving all night to see a band she'd never heard of, but she reluctantly agreed to go, only after I promised to have her back for her Monday morning classes following the Sunday show 10/9/83 (she was a much more serious student than I was). We had a great trip to two great shows and as a proud boyfriend, I donned her t-shirt for the first (and only) time at the Greensboro show. Hours before the show, they had opened the concourse to allow Heads to go in and out to use the facilities, though the interior doors were locked. Another friend of ours came up to us in the parking lot, put his finger on the rose across my chest and said "you know, they're sound checking that RIGHT NOW!." Since he was known to be a bit of a joker, I thought he was bullshitting us because we were so freaking high, and blew it off. After the show, I had my 'lady with a fan' moment, when joker friend told me he had an extra ticket to the next show at MSG 10/11/83 which was mine for the asking, provided I would drive him to NYC. Of course, that would mean breaking my promise and abandoning this cute girl, who was really high for the first time but wanted no part of missing a week's worth of classes. So my dilemma was: go on to the next show and never see her again or keep my word? Fast forward almost 40 years and 3 amazing kids later, we're still together, and she saw over 100 shows after we moved out to the Bay Area. Two of the kids were even with us at the DSO Cavern shows. BUT, I never saw St Stephen with Jerry. I had to wait until the Terrapin Station Reunion in Alpine 2002. (the first and only 'Goodnight Irene' on 12/31/83 was at least a consolation) I wouldn't dare change a thing, but every time I hear that 10/11/83 show, I can't help but wonder how drastically different my path would look if I'd been at MSG the first time around.

What’s crazy is with the most insane dance songs the dead does, music, dancin, Sampson and HSF all in 1 set it felt like we had no time to catch our breath but there was a slower dancer in between each. It felt like it was continuous 140 bpm heart rate but I guess we got just a slight reprieve. After the show I said wow no ballads that whole set lol. That’s what it felt like. Was a perfect night too. What a way to cap off jubilee. I’ll ride this high for the whole week. Now that jubilee is over I feel like I’m in great shape to do jubilee lol. All those times clinging the hill plus the monster cardio workouts but nothing to use it on. Jubilee should be a whole week!!!! Maybe DSO and 1 other band Monday-Thursday then the full fest starting Friday. I’m in!!!

Those were really fun shoes - podz n all. I feel like we could really stretch our legs without worrying about proximity

Fair point, but for the dozen or so aristocrats on the front row center balcony with unobstructed view, extra space to dance and the sweetest sound mix, it's a little slice of heaven. 😇 I've got to admit that I've spent most of my time dancing back and forth in that semicircle around the back of the balcony. i don't mess the floor. Balcony be better!

The Ryman is my least favorite indoor venue. It is impossible to dance in those church pews. The back of your leg is touching your pew and the front of your leg is touching the back of the pew in front of you. If you are unlucky enough to be in one of the back 8 rows on the 1st floor you cannot see the PA’s which means you can’t hear them and you get your sound from these tiny little speakers hanging from the balcony which is maybe 10 feet above your head. The only place to dance in the Ryman is in the balcony behind the seated area. That place is made to sit and watch music. The sound is great in the balcony area. There’s a tiny bit more leg room in the balcony vs downstairs where there’s none. I saw Bobby there and was 2nd to last row lower level and I had to duck down to see his face as the balcony obstructed my view being 6’4”. Ever since that show every time at the Ryman we just go upstairs. Saw panic accoustic there with Billy strings joining them. That was cool. Then Billy came upstairs to watch the rest of the show and he was hounded walking to his seat. I’m like let the guy enjoy the show for god sakes. Panic was playing and he was surrounded by people trying to take pics with him with music playing, not even during a break. Geez. Price of stardom I guess. The furthest I’ve gone as a star fucker was nodding my head to Phil who was 5 feet away during jazz fest in a small club. Peeps need some peace. That shit helped contribute to Jerry’s death.

I thought The Caverns Above Ground shows last year had a bit of a magical vibe going, and I'd like to see a show there without the pods restrictions. Plus it was about a month earlier which is the sweet spot for springtime weather in TN. There's also the Bonnaroo farm facilities a mere 25 miles away in Manchester... Got to pull for keeping a few shows in Tennessee somehow! Ryman anyone???

Thx for mentioning David Olney. Still he stays in my mind like many others who have gone on. Not too many of us to talk with about the hidden giants. Titanic!

No filler. Both kids rocked out to Samson and Delilah it was magic.

Lisa sang on Jack Straw and Birdsong. Trapeze artist on stage during Birdsong. DSO was flying through uncharted birdsong jam territory while she improvised death-defying trapeze moves to their jams…