Dave Matthews & Friends Make Live Debut On This Date In 2003 With Emmylou Harris

In 2003, Dave Matthews assembled a band he dubbed Dave Matthews and Friends to tour in support of his debut solo album, Some Devil. Dave Matthews & Friends made their live debut at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on this date in 2003. The band backed Dave and fellow legendary musician Emmylou Harris at a taping for an episode of CMT Crossroads that premiered on January 9, 2004.

CMT Crossroads brings together musicians for performances of each other’s songs. The program first starting airing in 2002 and continues through the present. Dave and Emmylou’s appearance on the show featured interview footage interspersed with performances filmed at the Hammerstein. Matthews’ Friends for the project were guitarists Tim Reynolds and Trey Anastasio, keyboardist Ray Paczkowski, bassist Tony Hall and drummer Brady Blade.

The episode started with Emmylou and Dave sharing lead vocal duties on Some Devil single “Gravedigger.” Matthews and Harris then dueted on “My Antonia,” a song Dave contributed to on Emmylou’s Red Dirt Girl studio album in 2000. Dave Matthews & Friends next backed Emmylou Harris on her original song “Here I Am.” A solo performance from Dave of his own “Where Are You Going” followed along with a collaborative version of “Long Black Veil.” From there, Matthews looked on as Emmylou presented a solo rendition of John Lennon’s “Imagine.” The finale was “Save Me” off Some Devil.

Dave Matthews & Friends embarked on a 10-show tour in December 2003 and hit the West Coast for five January 2004 performances. Emmylou Harris opened each night and would often guest with the band. The group then played Bonnaroo in 2004, Vegoose in 2005 and as part of a Carribean Cruise Getaway in 2006.

Watch video of the episode shared by ChesterCopperpot5:

CMT Crossroads Tracklist

Gravedigger, My Antonia, Here I Am, Where Are You Going, Long Black Veil, Imagine, Save Me