So Many Roads: A Grateful Dead Podcast

P.Bouley
  • 5.0 (4)
  • MUSIC HISTORY

So Many Roads Podcast is a show inspired by the Grateful Dead and the endless ways their music connects us. As a longtime fan, I’ve realized there’s still so much to learn—not just about the band, but about the culture, history, and personal stories that surround it. Each episode, I’ll sit down with guests to explore their journeys, uncover new perspectives, and take a deep dive into topics I have yet to investigate. So whether you're a longtime Deadhead or are just starting to explore, join me as I learn from the people who’ve lived it. 🎶🎙️

Episodes

  1. NOV 24

    Donna Jean’s Road: Muscle Shoals to the Grateful Dead

    In this episode, we honor Donna Jean Godchaux’s life and legacy, tracing her path from Muscle Shoals precision to the fearless edge of the Grateful Dead and the soulful warmth of the Jerry Garcia Band. Along the way, we revisit key tours, essential recordings, and the moments that define her lasting impact. • Muscle Shoals training and session craft • Joining the Dead and embracing risk • Why JGB showcased her voice best • Post-Dead chapters and continued collaborations • Legacy and remembrance  Thanks for riding along on So Many Roads. If you’re enjoying the journey, follow, rate, and share the show — it really helps the music reach more people. Find all episodes, videos, and extras here: https://linktr.ee/somanyroadspodcast

    15 min

  2. NOV 2

    The Unbroken Chain: Phil Lesh, Daniel Donato, and The Capital Theatre

    A room can change the way music moves — and The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester is one of those rare spaces where the past hums in the walls and every note cuts sharper. We follow a living thread from the Grateful Dead’s legendary 1971 run to Daniel Donato’s first headlining night, exploring how tradition and risk keep pushing each other forward. From the Dead’s debut of Bertha, Loser, and the luminous Dark Star → Wharf Rat sequence to Donato’s Telecaster fire and cosmic-country swagger, the Cap remains a stage that rewards daring. Phil Lesh’s legacy still anchors the room, and Donato’s blend of twang and transcendence feels like the next verse in that story. Fans, friends, and familiar spirits all add to the charge — proof that at The Cap, history doesn’t just echo; it evolves. Thanks for riding along on So Many Roads. If you’re enjoying the journey, follow, rate, and share the show — it really helps the music reach more people. Find all episodes, videos, and extras here: https://linktr.ee/somanyroadspodcast

    26 min

  3. OCT 12

    Our First Thousand Miles Down The Road

    We look back on our whirlwind first 1,000 downloads. What started as a living room hobby and grew into a global, multi-format project. From viral clips and Primus encores to London street chats and Bay Area anniversaries, the through-line is simple: the scene lives because the people do. • origin story and early clips • viral Primus moment and backlash • meeting Les Claypool backstage • London visits and UK Deadhead connections • Bay Area 60th anniversary highlights • gratitude for Dave and our creative team • why the YouTube cut matters • plans for more interviews, travel, and Substack • Eyes of the World and community thanks Speaking of which, if you've only listened to the audio, I really recommend checking out our YouTube channel!  Thanks for riding along on So Many Roads. If you’re enjoying the journey, follow, rate, and share the show — it really helps the music reach more people. Find all episodes, videos, and extras here: https://linktr.ee/somanyroadspodcast

    16 min

  4. SEP 28

    Barton Hall Echoes: Deadhead Stories with Seth

    What happens when two old friends return to Ithaca, New York, to sneak into Barton Hall — the site of the Grateful Dead’s legendary May 8, 1977 show? In this episode, I sit down with my college friend Seth in the bleachers of Barton Hall and reflect on the music that drew us back. We talk about the Dead’s history at Cornell, the lore of 5/8/77, and how Seth’s journey later intersected with the band when his company designed posters and t-shirts for a fundraiser featuring Bob Weir and Mickey Hart. From campus mischief to behind-the-scenes connections, this conversation blends memory, music, and the enduring pull of the Grateful Dead. Thanks for riding along on So Many Roads. If you’re enjoying the journey, follow, rate, and share the show — it really helps the music reach more people. Find all episodes, videos, and extras here: https://linktr.ee/somanyroadspodcast

    34 min

  5. SEP 8

    The Fabric Holds: Standing Amid 60 Years of Deadheads

    From London to San Francisco to Vegas, the threads of the Grateful Dead keep pulling me into unexpected connections. In this episode of So Many Roads, I follow those threads through a Dead & Company 60th anniversary show — from running into friends I first met in London, to a surprise backstage moment with Les Claypool, to standing among both brand-new Deadheads and veterans who’ve been there since the beginning. Along the way, I talk with the Do Dad, who shares how he once found himself in the studio with Hot Tuna and the Grateful Dead, and with my longtime friend Rose, who recalls meeting Wavy Gravy during the anniversary week and what it means to live where this music first took root. It’s a story about generations colliding, connections spiraling back, and how — after sixty years — the fabric of the Deadhead community still holds. Thanks for riding along on So Many Roads. If you’re enjoying the journey, follow, rate, and share the show — it really helps the music reach more people. Find all episodes, videos, and extras here: https://linktr.ee/somanyroadspodcast

    22 min

  6. AUG 19

    Legacy and the Living Scene: the Grateful Dead at 60

    In this episode of So Many Roads, I travel to San Francisco for the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary. From a grassroots Dead night in Berkeley to a massive pier show, Jerry Day in McLaren Park, and a visit to the Grateful Dead house, I explore the tension between legacy and the living scene. Along the way, I meet musicians, fans, and friends who are keeping the spirit alive—sometimes in intimate ways, sometimes on a grand stage. Thanks for riding along on So Many Roads. If you’re enjoying the journey, follow, rate, and share the show — it really helps the music reach more people. Find all episodes, videos, and extras here: https://linktr.ee/somanyroadspodcast

    22 min

  7. JUL 20

    Bob Weir at The Royal Albert Hall: An American Weir Wolf in London (Part 2)

    In Part Two of my London Dead adventure, I head to the iconic Royal Albert Hall to see Bobby Weir & the Wolf Bros live. I take you with me—through the crowd, into the show, and into conversations with fellow fans along the way. This follows Part One, where I visited historic Grateful Dead locations around London and connected with the city’s local Deadhead community. From the streets to the stage, it’s all about the music, the people, and the magic of the moment. Thanks for riding along on So Many Roads. If you’re enjoying the journey, follow, rate, and share the show — it really helps the music reach more people. Find all episodes, videos, and extras here: https://linktr.ee/somanyroadspodcast

    32 min

  8. JUL 6

    An American Weir Wolf in London (Part 1): Walking in the Grateful Dead’s London Footsteps

    In this episode, I fly to London to see Bob Weir and The Wolf Bros play the Royal Albert Hall 🛫🎸—but before the show, I set out to walk in the Grateful Dead’s London footsteps. This is Part 1 of a two-part travelogue. In this episode, I visit key spots tied to the Dead’s brief but fascinating UK history: the Roundhouse in Camden (site of their canceled 1968 shows), the legendary Lyceum Theatre (where Europe ’72 reached its peak), and more. I wrap the night with a Dead cover band in South London 🎶🌙—proof that the spirit of the Dead is still alive across the pond. Whether you’re a Bob Weir fan, a lifelong Deadhead, or just someone who loves music, history, and good stories, this one’s for you. 👉 Subscribe for Part 2, where I catch Bob Weir and the Wolf Bros live at the Royal Albert Hall, and meet some friends along the way.  Thanks for riding along on So Many Roads. If you’re enjoying the journey, follow, rate, and share the show — it really helps the music reach more people. Find all episodes, videos, and extras here: https://linktr.ee/somanyroadspodcast

    18 min

  9. JUN 21

    How She Won a Signed Custom Bob Weir Guitar!— Hillary’s Story

    In this episode, I sit down with Hillary, a dedicated Deadhead, who shares the once-in-a-lifetime story of how she won a signed guitar from Dead & Co. But that’s not all — she also had a surprise encounter with Phil Lesh, as well as a story of how she came to possess a playbill from a magical, famous show.  If you love fan stories, music history, or the magic of the Grateful Dead community, you’ll love this episode. Thanks for riding along on So Many Roads. If you’re enjoying the journey, follow, rate, and share the show — it really helps the music reach more people. Find all episodes, videos, and extras here: https://linktr.ee/somanyroadspodcast

    39 min

  10. JUN 4

    Getting on the Bus with Dave: Jerry’s Gear, an Autograph Story, and a Deadhead Origin Tale

    In this debut episode, I sit down with my longtime friend—and our show’s producer—Dave, to talk about how he got on the bus, why Jerry Garcia’s guitar tone still captivates him, and what makes the Grateful Dead more than just a band. We break down some of Jerry’s legendary gear, including his effects and tone from the later years, and we take a few side trips into our own concert-going history, including how he got Jerry Garcia's autograph.  This one sets the tone for what this podcast is all about: discovery, curiosity, and deep appreciation for the music, the moments, and the people we’ve met along the way. Thanks for riding along on So Many Roads. If you’re enjoying the journey, follow, rate, and share the show — it really helps the music reach more people. Find all episodes, videos, and extras here: https://linktr.ee/somanyroadspodcast

    47 min
  • 10 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

So Many Roads Podcast is a show inspired by the Grateful Dead and the endless ways their music connects us. As a longtime fan, I’ve realized there’s still so much to learn—not just about the band, but about the culture, history, and personal stories that surround it. Each episode, I’ll sit down with guests to explore their journeys, uncover new perspectives, and take a deep dive into topics I have yet to investigate. So whether you're a longtime Deadhead or are just starting to explore, join me as I learn from the people who’ve lived it. 🎶🎙️

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