AIR DATE: MAY 2015

Hey, it’s Eric Church…sitting on my bus on The Outsiders World Tour, back for the fourth episode of Outsiders Radio. It’s May, and I’ve had another very interesting month. First of all, I turned 38. I also got a chance to play a Grateful Dead tribute show called “Dear Jerry” for the late, great Jerry Garcia. When I went to college at Appalachia State University, every year I would always go to MerleFest. Really it was in college that I was really introduced to Jerry Garcia. I knew the Grateful Dead, but the Jerry Garcia Band and some of the stuff he did with David Grisman, stuff like “Russian Lullaby,” and stuff that I used to learn note-for-note, you know back when I was in school. It really was a key part of learning to play guitar, cause I would just sit there and play note-for-note everything he played. And it was just a huge influence on me, and to be there with the quality of musicians for just a really spiritual night for me, was something I’ll never forget. So, I saw some amazing performances, and it inspired me to explore some of that with you on this show. So, we’re gonna kick this off right now, the right way. Here’s “Touch of Grey,” the Grateful Dead.

“Touch of Grey” 4:18 – Grateful Dead – In The Dark

“Friend of the Devil” 3:22 – Grateful Dead – American Beauty

Some great stuff there by the Grateful Dead, “Touch of Grey” and “Friend of the Devil,” one of my favorites. One performance that blew me away that night at the show was Los Lobos. Unbelievable. They did “Not Fade Away” with Bob Weir from the Grateful Dead, and it was one of the greatest things I have ever seen. It was so musical. They were full-grown men, they just walked out on stage, plugged in, and kicked everybody’s ass. And I stood there; my jaw dropped watching it. So, we’re going to play some classic Los Lobos right here. Here we go!

“La Bamba” 2:54 – Los Lobos – Just Another Band From East LA

“Shakin’ Shakin’ Shakes” 4:12 – Los Lobos – Just Another Band From East LA

“La Bamba” and “Shakin’ Shakin’ Shakes,” by Los Lobos. Great, great band. Been doing this a long time. Another great young band that I was introduced to that night, really for the first time getting to see them live, was Trampled By Turtles. You gotta check these guys out…it’s really, really cool.

“Wait So Long” 3:24 – Trampled By Turtles – Palomino

Smokin’ man, just smokin’. I got the opportunity to play “Tennessee Jed” that night with the “house band,” I mean if you can call that a house band: Don Was, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Matt Rollings, Audley Freed, Raymond Weber, and this guy…a guy who has been a hero of mine for a long time as a songwriter and also as a musician, most importantly as an artist. Here is the great Buddy Miller.

“Does My Ring Burn Your Finger” 3:15 – Buddy Miller – Cruel Moon

There is “Does My Ring Burn Your Finger” off of Buddy Miller’s Cruel Moon record. That guy is amazing. Well, the day after the Dear Jerry show, the tone changed for me. I was set to play a song at the Capitol for The National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, where officers that have lost their lives in the past year are honored. This is very near and dear to my heart. My grandfather, as lot of people know is where I get my nickname from, was Chief of Police for over 30 years in the town that I grew up in. So, it was something that I was honored to do. It was a very special and emotional day for me. I also woke that morning to the news that BB King had just passed away. Another legend gone. I don’t know where any of us would be if weren’t for the greats that came before us, whether it be musicians or police officers, teachers, preachers. God bless those who stand their ground, who hold the line. And, as tribute for that, I played a song that day that I’ve never recorded. It was really just for that service. But, I’m gonna do it now. It’s called “Standing Their Ground,” and it’s for all those standing on a wall somewhere or standing up for what they believe in…this song is for you.

[“Standing Their Ground”]

God bless BB King. God bless those who have change the world. Speaking of BB, I think it’s only fitting we hear a couple from him right here. I heard a phrase once, “the blues is the roots, everything else is the fruits.” Amen, just like this.

“The Thrill is Gone” 5:01 – BB King – Completely Well

“3 O’Clock Blues” 3:02 – BB King – Ladies & Gentlemen… Mr. BB King

There was “The Thrill is Gone” and “3 O’Clock Blue,” by the late, great BB King. Indeed, the Blues is everywhere. One of BB’s favorite songs was “Stormy Monday.” It was written and released by T-Bone Walker, who was one of the first musicians to ever use the electric guitar. It was a hit for T-Bone in 1948. BB said every note cut through him like a sword. The song has been covered countless times, influencing countless bands. Here’s a cut credited for being the version that got the attention of rock audiences around the world, by the one and only Allman Brothers.

“Stormy Monday” 10:39 – The Allman Brothers Band – Live at the Fillmore East 1971 Second Show / Part One

“Stormy Monday,” by the Allman Brothers Band, recorded live at the Fillmore East in 1971. Ok, I’m ready to pick it. Let’s have some fun with another blues-influenced tune you probably know. In 1929 a husband and wife team, Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie, wrote a song about the Great Mississippi Flood that happened two years earlier in 1927. And then, some rock band covered it in 1970. Check this out.

“When the Levee Breaks - MASHUP” 8:05 – Memphis Minnie/Led Zeppelin – IV

Alright, everybody. Time to go. Till next time, you can bet I will be “Riding with the King.” See ya later.

“Riding with the King” 4:24 - BB King/Eric Clapton – Riding with the King

Eric Church hosts Outsiders Radio monthly on SiriusXM's The Highway. Eric explores his personal music influences and plays his current favorites. Church will also play exclusive, never before heard music from his own archives.

Outsiders Radio will air on the last Friday of every month at 10:00 pm ET via satellite on The Highway channel 56 and through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online at siriusxm.com. The show will also be rebroadcast on Mondays at 12:00 am ET and Wednesdays at 11:00 pm ET. Stream SiriusXM FREE for 30 Days. No credit card required. See Offer Details at www.siriusxm.com/freetrial. New SiriusXM Internet Radio subscribers only.