Mark Karan’s history with the Grateful Dead family and new album

Songs & Stories

In this episode of Backstage Sonoma, host Steve Roby interviews renowned guitarist Mark Karan. Known for his extensive involvement with the extended Grateful Dead family, Mark Karan provides a deep dive into his illustrious career, his musical influences, and his current projects.

Roby starts the interview by introducing Mark's impressive resume, highlighting his 12-year tenure with Bob Weir and RatDog and collaborations with notable artists, including Delaney Bramlett and Jesse Colin Young. Mark shares anecdotes from his early days, discussing how he first encountered the Grateful Dead as a young fan and later transitioned into playing with the band after Jerry Garcia's death.

The conversation shifts to Mark’s experiences and favorite memories from collaborating with musicians like Delaney Bramlett. One particularly cherished memory involves Delaney complimenting Mark as his favorite guitarist during an interview for a documentary.

Mark discusses his musical inspirations, the influence of the song 'Good Day for the Blues' on his career, and his admiration for songwriter David Grissom. They play the track for listeners, showcasing Mark's interpretive approach to music.

Roby and Karan then introduce another track, 'Annie Don't Lie,' originally written by Alex Call. Mark explains how he encountered the song during his time with Huey Lewis and the News and shares its significance.

In the latter part of the interview, Mark gives an update on his upcoming album 'Welcome to Your Life.' He elaborates on the challenges faced during its production, including delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and his mixed feelings about releasing albums in the modern music era.

They briefly mention Mark's touring schedule with various projects, such as the Gilmore Project, Live Dead and Brothers, and Dave Alvin and the Third Mind. Mark shares his enthusiasm for these collaborations and the creative fulfillment they bring him.

The interview wraps up with information on Mark Karan’s August 16 performance at the California Theatre, and where listeners can find more about his music and tour dates.