“I really can’t wait. It’s going to be fantastic,” Duncan said.
Duncan was inspired to play the tribute concert after he played a show at Stonefish Sushi earlier this year and someone commented that his band played just like the Dead used to – all night. So Duncan decided come back to Cortez to play some familiar Dead tracks like “Franklin’s Tower,” “Goin’ Down the Road feeling Bad” and “Casey Jones.”
Duncan, who has played internationally, got his start performing in Flagstaff, Ariz. where he met Kneebone and became lifelong friends with the local Dolores singer.
About 40 years ago, the two used to spend long hours together learning guitar parts to the Allman Brother’s songs, Duncan recalled.
Later this week, they will celebrate the past with Allman Brothers’ favorites like “Melissa” and “In memory of Elizabeth Reed.”
“This is the music that we used to jam on,” Duncan said.
They will perform with Bob Heminger, a horn player from Pagosa Springs, Roger Smith, a bass player from Flagstaff and Clay Lowder, a drummer. They have dubbed their group Tennessee Ned, a play on the Grateful Dead song “Tennessee Jed.” Duncan said he hopes to bring a tribute concert to town twice a year.
The group will also perform a few of Duncan’s original songs including some from his most recent record Baptized by The Blues- a stripped down record featuring just a Dobro guitar and a harmonica. It has achieved some recent attention going to number one on some blues charts including The Blues Debut and Roots Music, he said. In particular his song Watermelon, Barbecue and Beer has been a favorite.
“It’s based on the three major food groups,” he said. “One of the things I learned in Nashville is just make it fun, it doesn’t have to be brilliant.”
Duncan lived in Nashville for about 20 years and came know some of the people who worked with the Allman Brothers Band. This summer their former music engineer worked him on his new album that has yet to be released. David Hood, formerly of the Muscle Shoals Sound Rhythm Section, also played bass for it. The Muscle Shoals worked with many famous artists, such as Aretha Franklin, on their studio albums.
The album, that has yet to be titled has a Southern soul feel and features a saxophone and B3 Organ.
“It’s very peppy and positive,” he said.
Tennessee Ned plays the Dead is scheduled for Sept. 20 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Stonefish Sushi. Duncan will also be playing the Mancos Distillery Sept. 19.