The JamBase Podcast Episode 16: Melvin Seals & Ryan Stasik

A new episode of The JamBase Podcast is live and ready for your enjoyment. Episode 16, which begins with a “The Rundown” segment featuring accounts of two festivals that took place last weekend, can be streamed or downloaded. After “The Rundown” comes a “Tour Stories” segment featuring acclaimed keyboardist Melvin Seals of the Jerry Garcia Band and his own Melvin Seals & JGB project. The episode concludes with an “Art Of The Setlist” chat with Umphrey’s McGee bassist Ryan Stasik.

Hosts Andy Kahn and David Onigman attended Eaux Claires and the High Sierra Music Festival respectively this past weekend. DaveO starts “The Rundown” by sharing his thoughts on the 28th annual High Sierra Music Festival, which took place at Plumas-Sierra Fairgrounds in Quincy, California. Then, AK weighs in on his experience at the fourth annual Eaux Claires. The lineup for Eaux Claires – held at Foster Farms in Eau Claire, Wisconsin – wasn’t revealed ahead of the festival. Andy talks about how that move played out over the course of the event.

Scott Bernstein chatted with Melvin Seals at High Sierra. Melvin starts the “Tour Stories” segment by talking about the recent changes to the lineup for Melvin Seals & JGB. Seals then shares the tale of how he scored the gig as the Jerry Garcia Band keyboardist, a position he held from 1980 to 1995. Melvin also tells ScottyB about a scuba diving trip he took with Jerry in Hawaii, his last time seeing Garcia before the guitarist died in 1995 and more.

After “Tour Stories,” Andy Kahn sits with Ryan Stasik of Umphrey’s McGee for “The Art Of The Setlist.” AK’s chat with Pony took place at the Summer Camp Music Festival in Chillicothe, Illinois. Stasik details the band’s process for coming up with the setlist each night. Ryan also talks about a number of tributes he’s taken part in recently, how material from UM’s surprise album it’s you fits into setlists and additional topics.

Listen to Episode 16 of The JamBase Podcast below and be sure to subscribe to The JamBase Podcast via iTunes, Stitcher and/or Google Play.