In the early 1970s, a group of musicians came together with a shared love for bluegrass and pushed the boundaries of music. The result was Old & In the Way—a short-lived but legendary group featuring Jerry Garcia on banjo, David Grisman on mandolin, Peter Rowan on guitar and vocals, Vassar Clements on fiddle, and John Kahn on bass.
Though the band only performed together for about a year, their impact was monumental. The live album Old & In the Way (1975) became one of the best-selling bluegrass records of all time, bringing this unique sound to countless new ears. For many listeners, it was their very first introduction to bluegrass. The band’s repertoire—songs like Midnight Moonlight, Wild Horses, and Panama Red—combined tradition with improvisation, honoring the genre’s roots while infusing it with a free-spirited, almost jam-band sensibility.
Fast forward to today, and the music of Old & In the Way lives on through a special collaboration between two artists deeply connected to its legacy: Peter Rowan and Sam Grisman.
Rowan, a founding member, was the distinctive voice and songwriting force behind many of the group’s most beloved tunes. His career has spanned decades and styles, but his role in shaping Old & In the Way remains central to his story.
Sam Grisman brings a family tie that runs just as deep—he is the son of David Grisman, the founding player whose partnership with Jerry Garcia produced not just Old & In the Way but decades of genre-defying acoustic music. By joining forces with Rowan, Sam bridges generations: honoring his father’s role while bringing fresh energy and interpretation to the material.
Why It Matters
For fans of bluegrass, folk, and The Grateful Dead alike, seeing Rowan and Grisman perform Old & In the Way songs is much more than a nostalgic trip. It is a chance to experience a living thread of music history.
It’s also a reminder of just how groundbreaking that music was. At a time when bluegrass was still largely defined by tradition, Old & In the Way showed that the genre could be both deeply authentic and adventurous.
In many ways, their performances are about continuity—keeping alive a spirit of collaboration, experimentation, and reverence for tradition that made Old & In the Way so influential. And just like the original band, Rowan and Grisman’s collaboration continues to blend genres and generations, proving that great music always finds fresh ways to resonate. They invite new listeners into the fold while rekindling memories for those who first discovered bluegrass through Garcia and his bandmates back in the ’70s.
Whether you’re a lifelong Deadhead, a bluegrass devotee, or simply someone who loves live music, witnessing Peter Rowan and Sam Grisman celebrate Old & In the Way is an opportunity to connect with one of the most important crossroads in American music history.
Catch Peter Rowan with Sam Grisman Project on Saturday, October 18, 2025, in the Longworth-Anderson Series at historic Memorial Hall. Buy your tickets today, then check out our Spotify playlist and get ready for the big night!
—Kyle Fugate