Billy Strings Covers David Grisman’s ‘Dawg’s Rag’ In Vancouver

Billy Strings closed out a two-night stand at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom on Wednesday, which marked the guitarist’s first concerts in Canada. Strings and his band worked a debut cover of David Grisman's “Dawg’s Rag” into last night’s show.

David Grisman composed the instrumental “Dawg’s Rag” and first released the song in 1977 on The David Grisman Quintet’s debut album. Billy Strings was heavily influenced by David Grisman and considers the musician nicknamed “Dawg” a mentor and friend.

Strings was among Grisman’s guests in March at the all-star “Dawg At 80!” concert held at Seattle’s Moore Theatre. Billy Strings performed “Dawg’s Rag” at the show celebrating the mandolinist’s 80th birthday with an ensemble put together by Grisman’s son Samson. Strings’ bandmate, fiddler Alex Hargreaves, also participated in the concert and played on “Dawg’s Rag” with Billy.

Billy Strings, Alex Hargreaves, mandolinist Jarrod Walker, bassist Royal Masat and banjoist Billy Failing lit into their first performance of “Dawg’s Rag” out of “End Of The Rainbow” early in the Wednesday night concert. The quintet played a furious version of the song as they exchanged solos.

“That was a tune called ‘Dawg’s Rag,’ and we’re gonna send that out to our pal David Grisman,” Strings exclaimed following the cover debut.

Wednesday’s first set was heavy on originals, including the “I’m One Of Those” opener, “Turmoil & Tinfoil,” “Watch It Fall” and “The Fire On My Tongue.” Strings and his outfit closed the frame with their take on Bill Monroe’s “My Sweet Blue-Eyed Darlin’.”

The guitarist selected “Leaning On A Travelin’ Song” from his latest studio album, Highway Prayers, to kick off the second set. He then led a performance of Townes Van Zandt’s “Don’t Let The Sunshine Fool Ya” before pairing “On The Line” and “Train 45.” Next up was “Away From The Mire” and Strings’ first cover of Norman Blake’s “Back In Yonder’s World” since January 8, 2020.

An improvisational highlight of the night, “Meet Me At The Creek,” came later as the penultimate song of the show. Billy Strings and his bandmates said farewell to Vancouver with the Jimmy Martin classic “Sophronie.”

Billy Strings concludes his August tour this weekend with concerts in Everett, Washington on Friday and Eugene, Oregon on Saturday. Livestreams can be viewed by nugs’ All Access subscribers.

Watch a replay of Billy Strings’ Vancouver finale with an All Access subscription via the link below:

Setlist (via BillyBase.net)

Set One: I’m One Of Those, Turmoil & Tinfoil, Happy Hollow, Love and Regret, End Of The Rainbow > Dawg’s Rag [1], Watch It Fall, The Fire On My Tongue > My Sweet Blue Eyed Darling

Set Two: Leaning on a Travelin’ Song, Don’t Let the Sunshine Fool Ya, On The Line > Train 45, Away From The Mire, Back In Yonder’s World [2], Long Forgotten Dream, All Of Tomorrow, Show Me The Door, Kentucky Mandolin > Run Down, Miss The Mississippi And You, Meet Me At The Creek, Sophronie

Notes:

• [1] – FTP – The David Grisman Quintet
• [2] – Last Time Played 2020-01-08 | 470 show gap