Watch David Grisman Debut ‘New’ Compositions At ‘Dawg At 80!’ Celebration

As reported, legendary mandolinist David Grisman was honored by a who’s who of bluegrass artists at the “Dawg At 80!” concert on Tuesday at the Moore Theatre in Seattle. The setlist was devoted to Dawg-penned compositions from throughout his career, including the premieres of two songs Grisman wrote in recent years.

Dawg’s son, bassist Sam Grisman, led a core band that also included guitarist Billy Strings, fiddler Alex Hargreaves and Ronnie McCoury and Dominick Leslie through the first set. David Grisman came out towards the end of the frame and fronted various formations during the evening’s second set. Sam Bush, Danny Barnes, Mike Marshall, Jim Kerwin, Joe Craven, Darol Anger and Tracy Grisman were among participants.

The first of the new debuts was entitled “20/20” and filled the five-slot in the second set. David Grisman, whose actual 80th birthday was this past Sunday, performed the song with Danny Barnes and Billy Strings on guitar, Mike Marshall on mandolin, Darol Anger on fiddle, Todd Phillips on bass and Nat Smith on cello.

“20/20” was written by Dawg during the pandemic. Grisman dedicated the first-ever live performance of the beautiful instrumental to all those who lost their lives to the COVID-19 virus.

“Planet Earth” was the penultimate song played at “Dawg At 80!.” The second premiere of the night saw David Grisman accompanied by all of the evening’s performers, aka the Dawgestra. Over a dozen musicians were on stage, including Sam Grisman, Tracy Grisman, Monroe Grisman, Sam Bush, Joe Craven, Danny Barnes, Billy Strings, Ronnie McCoury, Heaven McCoury, Dominick Leslie, Alex Hargreaves, Nat Smith, Mike Marshall, Sharon Gilchrist, Darol Anger, Jim Kerwin and Todd Phillips.

Check out footage of the “Planet Earth” debut captured by Max Berde below: