By now, you have hopefully heard of Roots Rock Revival, the four night, five day all-inclusive intensive at Music Masters Camps, founded by Butch TrucksOteil BurbridgeLuther Dickinson and Cody Dickinson, that features master classes, jam sessions, Q&A sessions, open rehearsals and much, much more. The spirit of the “camp” flows in all directions, where the lines between artist and participant are nonexistent and instead work in a mutually effective nature that allows the freedom of education, knowledge, and musicality to run wild. Without Butch and former Music Masters Camps artist Col. Bruce Hampton there this year, the 2017 lineup featured sessions drummer Bernard Purdie, world-renowned keyboardist John Medeski, former ABB guitarist Jack Pearson, NOLA drummer Johnny Vidacovich, Midnight North guitarist/vocalist Grahame Lesh, pedal steel guitarist Roosevelt Collier, and DJ Logic as the camp’s masters. Also on tap were family members and musicians Vaylor Trucks, guitarist and son of Butch Trucks, Berry Oakley Jr., bassist son of Berry Oakley, as well as Ryan MontbleauBrandon “Taz” Niederauer, Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds’ Jackson KincheloeBrian Graham, and Phil Rodriguez, alongside former guitarist/vocalist of Butch Trucks & The Freight Train Heather Gillis, local keyboardist Craig Keil, and guitarist James Beihn.

Roots Rock Revival Brings Oteil Burbridge, Luther Dickinson, John Medeski, Bernard Purdie, & More For Music Masters Camp

The eclectic mix of artists provided an extended reach beyond the Southern Rock roots that the camp’s foundation was built upon. With bassist Oteil Burbridge (formerly of the Allman Brothers Band) now in Dead & Company, the Grateful Dead spirit was very much alive–especially with Phil Lesh’s son Grahame on site for the second half of the week. On the final night of camp, the all-star group of musicians performed their last concert together. Butch’s son Vaylor Trucks (the little boy on the cover of Brothers and Sisters) had come up with the idea with fellow guitarist Grahame Lesh to mix their heritages in a mash-up of Allman Brothers and Grateful Dead music to close the show. Vaylor, Grahame, Oteil, Jack Pearson (formerly of the Allman Brothers Band), Bernard Purdie, Johnny Vidacovich, and Craig Keil started with “China Cat Sunflower,” and at the peak before the jam took a left turn into “Blue Sky.” In addition to Bernard Purdie playing Grateful Dead music, the interplay between Lesh, Trucks, and Burbridge was straight magical. Experiences like these are only possible at Roots Rock Revival.

Thanks to Tom Pragliola, you can watch the “China/Sky Mashup” below:

Roots Rock Revival and the gorgeous setting has proven time and again to be a perfect host for these inspiring and memorable events. With 2018 confirmed in the books for August 6-11, we’re already planning our next reunion. It’s a family that keeps on growing, with every year adding new tastes to the musical gumbo.

Taking the music out of the equation (which probably never happened), the 100 acres of mountains, fields, and streams at Full Moon Resort provides a rustic, yet sophisticated venue in the heart of the “Forever Wild” Catskill Mountain Forest Preserve and Hudson Valley in Big Indian, New York. Between master classes and river jams, campers are able to explore hiking trails, water falls, and each other’s musical offerings between three fabulous meals. Bountiful and fresh, the menu features many locally grown ingredients and a full spectrum of exceptional catering from the arrival Meet and Greet to the farewell breakfast.

The master classes varied for all levels of players, and included “Jam Etiquette 101,” “Listening/Developing Heightened Awareness,” “Allman Brothers Licks with Jack Pearson,” “Fingerpickin’ & New Orleans Street Beats with Luther and Johnny V,” and so many more. See the full schedule here.

[cover photo by Michael Bloom Photography]