When Was the Last Time You Went to “Church?” Uncle John’s Band Invites You, for the 1000th Time!
Devotees call it “going to church.” That’s the short version of: “Are you going to Skipper’s Smokehouse to see Uncle John’s Band?” The church reference applies to other Tampa Bay locations as well, but Skipper’s is the epicenter of the phenomenon that is Uncle John’s Band.
There are numerous other fine Grateful Dead tribute bands here in Florida (Unlimited Devotion, Crazy Fingers, Funkin’ Grateful, and more) and hundreds across the country, but UJB is celebrating a landmark this evening (Thursday, May 31st) that I doubt any other can claim. For years, Thursday night has been Grateful Dead night at Skipper’s in Tampa with UJB at the helm.
How many years, you ask? UJB began their their Thursday night residency in 1998. They’ve rarely missed a show there, and tonight will be the band’s 1000th Thursday at Skipper’s.
Let that sink in. They’ve played many, many shows, most notably in Chicago when they were invited by Dead and Company to play afternoon sets near the venue for the final Fare Thee Well performances. But tonight marks 1000 times honoring the Dead legacy in one location.
The band’s current lineup includes: Rich Whiteley, guitar & vocals; Alan Gilman, lead guitar & vocals; Steve Connelly, lead guitar & vocals; Mike Edwards, bass & vocals; Dan DeGregory, drums & vocals; Mike Bortz, drums & vocals; and Casey Otto, keyboards. You should expect to hear some former members of the band coming to celebrate with them tonight.
When was the last time you went to church?
