Billy & the Kids

For the garage band, see Billy and the Kids (Wenatchee band).

Billy & the Kids
The logo of Billy & the Kids
Background information
Origin	USA
Genres	Rock
Years active	2014 – present
Members	Bill Kreutzmann Tom Hamilton Jr. Reed Mathis Aron Magner

Billy & the Kids is an American rock band formed in 2014 by Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann, Joe Russo's Almost Dead guitarist Tom Hamilton, Tea Leaf Green bassist Reed Mathis and the Disco Biscuits keyboardist Aron Magner.

Origins and history

In September 2014 Bill Kreutzmann appeared at the second annual Lockn' Festival with a band billed as Bill Kreutzmann's Locknstep Allstars. The band was assembled to help fill in for Bob Weir & RatDog who cancelled their appearance at the festival and it consisted of Kreutzmann, Hamilton, Magner, Oteil Burbridge and Steve Kimock. They were joined for some songs by special guests Keller Williams, Taj Mahal, and Papa Mali.

In late 2014 Kreutzmann announced the formation of Billy & the Kids which consists of almost the same lineup as the Locknstep Allstars, without Steve Kimock and with Reed Mathis playing bass in place of Oteil Burbridge.^[1][2] They performed their first concert on December 13 at the 26th Warren Haynes Christmas Jam, where they were joined by special guests such as Col. Bruce Hampton and Warren Haynes.^[3]

Beginning in early 2015 the band has been performing throughout the United States. Many of their shows feature a theme relating to the Grateful Dead, such as Europe Seventy 2.0 and Spring '90 Revisited.^[4][5]

To date, almost all of the band's shows have featured special guests such as Robert Randolph and Kreutzmann's former Grateful Dead bandmate Bob Weir. Sometimes these guests sit in for a song or two and other times they accompany the group for an entire set or show.

Members

• Bill Kreutzmann – drums
• Tom Hamilton – guitar, vocals
• Reed Mathis – bass, vocals
• Aron Magner – keyboards, vocals

Special Guests

• Vinnie Amico - drums (5/13/15)
• Tim Carbone - fiddle (9/18/15)
• Col. Bruce Hampton - keyboards (12/13/14)
• Jason Hann - drums (4/20/15, 9/10/15) (7/12/21)^[6]
• Mickey Hart - drums (9/12/15)
• Warren Haynes - guitar, vocals (12/13/14, 8/1/15, 4/15/16)
• Eric Krasno - guitar (8/1/15, 9/10/15, 4/8/16, 4/9/16, 4/15/16*)
• Dominic Lalli - saxophone (4/20/15)
• John Popper - harmonica (9/10/15)
• Robert Randolph - pedal steel guitar, vocals (3/27/15)
• Al Schnier - guitar (5/13/15#)
• Snarky Puppy Horns - horns (9/18/15)
• Duane Trucks - drums (5/13/15)
• Bob Weir - guitar, vocals (8/15/15#, 9/12/15*, 4/8/2016#)^[7]
• Billy Strings - guitar, vocals (5/7/21*, 5/8/21*, 5/9/21*)^[8] (7/12/21*, 7/13/21*)^[6][9]
• James Casey - saxophone, vocals (5/7/21*, 5/8/21*, 5/9/21*)^[8] (7/12/21*, 7/13/21*)^[6][9]
• Carlos Santana - guitar, vocals (5/9/21)^[10]
• Bill Nershi - guitar, vocals (5/9/21)^[10]
• Jeff Franca - drums (7/12/21, 7/13/21)^[6][9]
• Paul Hoffman - mandolin (7/13/21)^[9]
• Sierra Hull - vocals, mandolin, guitar (8/18/23*)^[11]
• Daniel Donato - guitar, vocals (8/16/23*)(8/18/23*)^[12]

* Full concert performance

References

1. "Bill Kreutzmann Confirms Billy and the Kids Lineup", Jambands.com, October 8, 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
2. "Bill Kreutzmann to Debut New Band", Dead.net, October 19, 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
3. Kelly, Stu (December 14, 2015). "Billy & the Kids & Govt Mule Highlight 26th Christmas Jam", JamBase. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
4. "Billy and the Kids to Play 'Spring '90 Revisited' Show in Denver", Jambands.com, January 23, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
5. "Billy & the Kids and Robert Randolph to Play 'Europe Seventy 2.0' Show", Live for Live Music, February 12, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
6. "Billy & The Kids Kick Off Red Rocks Run With Billy Strings + James Casey". JamBase. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
7. Bernstein, Scott (April 9, 2016). "Bob Weir Guests with Billy & the Kids at Sweetwater Music Hall", JamBase. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
8. "Billy & The Kids With Billy Strings & James Casey Debut New Song Featuring Robert Hunter Lyrics". JamBase. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
9. "Billy & The Kids Featuring Billy Strings + James Casey Wrap Red Rocks Run". JamBase. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
10. "Carlos Santana, Bill Nershi, Billy Strings, James Casey Join Bill Kreutzmann & The Kids To Close 'Grateful Mahalo". 2021-05-10. Archived from the original on 2021-05-10.
11. Billy and The Kids with Daniel Donato and Sierra Hull 8-19-2023, retrieved 2023-09-23
12. Daniel Donato to Join Billy and the Kids in New York and Baltimore, retrieved 2024-10-15

External links

• Bill Kreutzmann official website