Jason Crosby Drops In On Dogs In A Pile In Mill Valley

Dogs In A Pile's week-long run of shows across California landed in the Bay Area last night for a concert in Mill Valley. The band invited Bay Area veteran musician Jason Crosby to play fiddle on three songs during their second set at The Junction.

The first set in Mill Valley was an eight-song affair featuring several staples such as “Can’t Wait For Tonight,” “Nicolette,” “Little Things,” “G Song” and “Say Something.” Dogs In A Pile also fit in a cover of Little Feat’s “Old Folks Boogie” and recently debuted originals “Throw It Away” and “The Day The Music Came To Me.”

Jason Crosby first crossed paths with the Asbury Park, New Jersey-based quintet aboard Jam Cruise 19 in 2023, when he joined DIAP for “Trunk Rum” in the Black & White Lounge. Guitarist Brian Murray ran into Crosby at an area grocery store a few days before the Wednesday night concert. Jason was asked to sit-in and graciously said yes.

Crosby came out towards the tailend of the show with his fiddle in hand. The first song of the collaboration was DIAP original “Shenanigans.” The fiddler added accents to the ballad and then took a furious solo before trading licks with guitarists Jimmy Law.

Dogs In A Pile then honored one of Marin County’s most famous sons, late Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir. Crosby let it rip on a cover of Weir’s “Cassidy.” The resulting version spanned nearly 13 minutes, complete with an exciting and adventurous jam. “Cassidy” had only been performed seven times prior by DIAP.

Jason Crosby stuck around to be showcased on “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.” Dogs In A Pile last played the Charlie Daniels Band cover on Halloween 2024. Crosby shined throughout the version of the 1979 hit and threw in a “Shakedown Street” tease for good measure. The guest spot was followed by a well-jammed “Chop Shop” and show-closing take on The Allman Brothers Band classic “Jessica.”

Stream official recordings of Dogs In A Pile’s Mill Valley show and video of the “Cassidy” jam below:

Setlist (via Go-Set.net)

Set One: Can’t Wait for Tonight, Throw It Away, Nicolette-> Old Folks Boogie, Little Things, The Day The Music Came To Me > G Song > Say Something

Set Two: Westward, You Didn’t Hear It From Me, Samba for Sam, Shenanigans[1], Cassidy[1], The Devil Went Down to Georgia[1], Chop Shop, Jessica

[1] — with Jason Crosby on fiddle