Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, photo by Geoff Tischman

On Thursday, Aug. 21, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead stepped into the spotlight to close out a two-night booking at Vail, Colo.’s Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. For their second show in the Rocky Mountains, the premier Grateful Dead cover ensemble accessorized their tight rotation of jam classics with a surprise sit-in from Craig Finn.

Finn joined at the top of JRAD’s second set, following a first frame including Dead favorites like “New Speedway Boogie” and “Jack Straw” alongside J.J. Cale’s “After Midnight” and their fourth treatment to date of Bob Dylan’s “Tough Mama,” last covered in May 2021. Russo introduced the special guest as an old friend who happened to be on vacation in Vail. “I’ve been very fortunate to be in his band on many occasions. We’d like to have him come out here and start the set with us: Mr. Craig Finn from The Hold Steady.”

Finn proceeded to lead Joe Russo’s Almost Dead through a live debut of Jon Hiatt’s “Walk On.” While the late career classic from the legendary folk-rock singer-songwriter was Finn’s first time playing in the band, it called back to his last crossing with Russo, who joined Finn as a member of the People of Substance Band at the album release performance for his sixth solo studio album Always Been in May. The artists’ reunion on Thursday continued a long history of collaboration, including Russo’s contributions to Finn’s  previous album A Legacy of Rentals and the pair’s memorable performance on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Following Finn’s initial sit-in, Russo and company kept on through their second set with crowd-pleasing versions of Dead essentials like “Uncle John’s Band,” “The Music Never Stopped” and “Cumberland Blues,’ helmed in rotation by guitarists Scott Metzger and Tom Hamilton. The uintet concluded the main portion of their performance with an enthralling, expansive exploration of “Terrapin Station,” then returned to the stage for an encore of “Going Down the Road Feeling Bad,” once again led by Finn’s dynamic and charismatic vocals.

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead will return to the spotlight for a set at Boston’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway on Sept. 11. Find tickets and more information about the band’s full live calendar at joerussosalmostdead.com. Watch a fan-recorded video of Finn’s sit-in on “Walk On” below, and read on for the full setlist from Thursday night. 

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead
Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater – Vail, Colo.
8/21/25
Set I: Tough Mama+, Man Smart, Woman Smarter, New Speedway Boogie, After Midnight, Black-Throated Wind, Jack Straw
Set II: Walk On*#, Uncle John’s Band, The Music Never Stopped, Cumberland Blues, He’s Gone, Terrapin Station
Encore: Going Down the Road Feeling Bad#
Notes:
+ Bob Dylan cover, LTP May 2021
* John Hiatt debut.
# w/ Craig Finn