Watch A Trailer For Anticipated ‘Summer Jam At Watkins Glen’ Documentary
An estimated 1 in every 350 Americans attended the Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers and The Band concert in 1973.
By Nate Todd Sep 4, 2026 • 10:43 am PDT
A highly anticipated documentary tracing Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers Band and The Band's historic Summer Jam concert at Watkins Glen in upstate New York has a new trailer. The film’s producers are also offering equity positions in the doc via WeFunder.
On July 28, 1973, promoters Shelly Finkel and Jim Koplik, with help from legendary promoter Bill Graham, brought their vision to fruition when they brought the Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers Band and The Band to Watkins Glen. The concert dubbed Summer Jam sold 150,000 tickets. 600,000 people showed up. “Open the gates,” Bill Graham advised Finkel and Koplik, and they did.
Summer Jam marked the largest public gathering in the U.S. A staggering stat, it’s estimated that 1 in every 350 Americans attended the event. With Finkel and Koplik in executive producer roles alongside producers Art Horan (The Usual Suspects), Bruce Taylor (HBO, ESPN) and Eric Smith (ESPN), the documentary directed by Emmy-winner Jordan Bogdonavage tracing the momentous cultural event is now in production.
The film features never-before-seen archival footage. Interviews include figures from the Allman Brothers sphere, band members Chuck Leavell and Jaimoe, guitarist Derek Trucks and road managers Bunky Odom and Willie Perkins. Interviews from the Grateful Dead universe include legendary crew members Big Steve Parish and the late Sam Cutler in his final interview.
“Summer Jam was more than a music festival, and it was bigger than The Band, the Allmans and The Dead,” director Jordan Bogdonavage stated. “It was a cultural touchstone for an entire generation, so having the opportunity to bring this story to life is an honor.”
Watch the trailer for the documentary below:
