Pigeons Playing Ping Pong returned to LOCKN’ Festival last month for their second performance at the beloved gathering of the extended jam scene in Arrington, Virginia. On Saturday, August 25th, the up-and-coming quartet performed on the festival’s main stage right before the highly-anticipated Foundation of Funk set celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Meters, which saw collaborations between George Porter Jr., Zigaboo Modeliste, Art Neville, Cyril Neville, Ian Neville, Ivan Neville, and Tony Hall with Dead & Company’s Bob Weir, John Mayer, Mickey Hart, and Bill Kreutzmann sitting in. With so many legends on one (rotating) stage, it was the perfect opportunity for introductions.

That’s what Jay Blakesberg thought, at least, as the legendary rock photographer helped to bridge the gaps between young, talented touring musicians and seasoned, professional artists. As Blakesberg introduced “Scrambled Greg” Ormont to Mr. John Mayer, a photo was captured by on-site photographer Rob Schmidt. That photo has since been making the social media rounds, specifically because of the hilariously confused look on Bob Weir‘s face in the shot as the interaction took place in front of him. Now, Ormont has shared the story behind the photo via Relix, and it’s just too good not to share.

Read below for Ormont’s account of the interaction, when he handed John Mayer a Pigeons Playing Ping Pong guitar pick (specifically from the DisNYE set in 2017) ahead of his collaboration with Foundation of Funk, without barely any words to say.

“Come with me, I’m gonna introduce you to Mayer.” These are the simple words that every guitarist wanted to hear at LOCKN’ 2018, and for some reason, they were said to me.
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Needless to say, I stopped what I was doing and walked to the side of the stage where most of Dead & Company was hanging out before their [Foundation of Funk] sit-in.
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Jay walked right up to John and said something like, “Hey man, how’s it going? I want to introduce you to Greg from Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, the band I’ve been telling you about.” I said, “What’s up man!” John smiled, shook my hand and looked me in right the eyes saying something like, “Hey man, how’s it going?” I blanked… Jay then handed him our [DisNYE] pick and told him that we wanted to give it to him. I muttered, “Figured you could use one.” John looked at it, kind of laughed and said “Oh cool, I’ll use it right now” and immediately walked on stage with Bob Weir to join George Porter Jr. and the Neville’s. I was stunned and super stoked!
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All in all, I have to thank Jay Blakesberg for being the man, and John Mayer for being so nice and normal. And I have to say… our guitar pick never sounded so good. -“Scrambled Greg” Ormont of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, 📸: @rohbehrs

 

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“Come with me, I’m gonna introduce you to Mayer.” These are the simple words that every guitarist wanted to hear at LOCKN’ 2018, and for some reason, they were said to me. – Needless to say, I stopped what I was doing and walked to the side of the stage where most of Dead & Company was hanging out before their [Foundation of Funk] sit-in. – Jay walked right up to John and said something like, “Hey man, how’s it going? I want to introduce you to Greg from Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, the band I’ve been telling you about.” I said, “What’s up man!” John smiled, shook my hand and looked me in right the eyes saying something like, “Hey man, how’s it going?” I blanked… Jay then handed him our [DisNYE] pick and told him that we wanted to give it to him. I muttered, “Figured you could use one.” John looked at it, kind of laughed and said “Oh cool, I’ll use it right now” and immediately walked on stage with Bob Weir to join George Porter Jr. and the Neville’s. I was stunned and super stoked! – All in all, I have to thank Jay Blakesberg for being the man, and John Mayer for being so nice and normal. And I have to say… our guitar pick never sounded so good. -“Scrambled Greg” Ormont of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, 📸: @rohbehrs

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On the heels of their biggest year to date, Pigeons is getting ready to hit the road on a massive fall tour, followed one of their biggest shows to date ahead of them: their debut show at Port Chester, NY’s legendary Capitol Theatre, January 26th, 2019. For a list of upcoming dates, head to the band’s official website.