Molly Tuttle Joins Terrapin Family Band For Grateful Dead Classics & More In Menlo Park

The Terrapin Family Band wrapped their second annual “Grateful Holiday” run on Friday night at The Guild Theatre in Menlo Park, California. Special guest Molly Tuttle sat-in for the first five songs of the evening’s second set.

The Terrapin Family Band — guitarist Grahame Lesh, bassist Ross James, fiddler/keyboardist Jason Crosby and drummer Alex Koford — went it alone over the course of Friday’s first set. Grahame Lesh fronted the band on “Scarlet Begonias” to open before Alex Koford sang “Loser.” The lead singer baton was returned to Grahame for “Playing In The Band” to end a run of three Grateful Dead favorites along with “Galilee,” a song penned by Brian Lesh.

Jason Crosby had a turn in the spotlight as the opening stanza continued with his original song “Gambler’s Conceit.” The Terrapin Family Band then worked “Loser” into “Cumberland Blues.” Grahame Lesh was back on lead vocals for a set-closing “Mountain Song.”

Molly Tuttle emerged with The Terrapin Family Band at the start of the second set. The Bay Area native who grew up a stone’s throw from The Guild led the group through the Hunter/Garcia gem “Dire Wolf.” Tuttle then helmed versions of her original songs “Crooked Tree” and “Next Rodeo.” The former is the title track to her 2022 album with Golden Highway, while the latter is featured on City Of Gold, her 2023 album with the band.

The Terrapin Family Band and Molly Tuttle returned to the Grateful Dead songbook for “Standing On The Moon.” Molly Tuttle’s time on stage with the group on Friday ended with a cover of Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit.”

After Tuttle’s appearance, Ross James handled lead vocals on “Throwing Stones.” Grahame Lesh then fronted an “Alabama Getaway” featured a James-sung “Cream Puff War” within. The second set concluded with Crosby helming his “Friend Of The Lithium” mashup of the Grateful Dead’s “Friend Of The Devil” and Nirvana’s “Lithium.”

The Terrapin Family Band spent the encore honoring Grahame’s father Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh. Grahame gave a “Donor Rap” upon returning to the stage and discussed the importance of organ donation. Phil’s son then sang “Unbroken Chain,” one of his dad’s signature songs, to end the night.

Watch highlights from Friday night’s Terrapin Family Band show via fan-shot video below:

Setlist (via Setlist.FM)

Set One: Scarlet Begonias, Loser, Playing In The Band, Galilee, Gambler’s Conceit, Cumberland Blues > Candyman > Cumberland Blues Reprise, The Mountain Song

Set Two: Dire Wolf*, Crooked Tree*, Next Rodeo*, Standing On The Moon*, White Rabbit*, Throwing Stones, Alabama Getaway > Cream Puff War > Alabama Getaway Reprise, Friend Of The Lithium

Encore: Unbroken Chain

* – w/ Molly Tuttle on guitar and vocals