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I was a bit surprised my search of the forum didn't find a dedicated thread for this incredible instrumental fusion band - though I would imagine most musicians on this board would be familiar with their greatness (you'll find plenty of references in several threads on Fusion/Dream Theater/Deep Purple, etc.) They just kicked-off their reunion tour "Dawn of the Dregs" and I had the opportunity to see them opening night this past Wednesday. Back in the early 80's when I was getting into Rush, I had an uncle that also got me into some fusion bands - including The Dixie Dregs. Certainly they're not for everyone, but for me, as a young drummer, the instrumental mayhem was so inspiring - Rod Morgenstein ignited my drumming passion nearly as much as Neil. Imagine my surprise when The Steve Morse Band (a legacy band of the original Dregs) opened for Rush on the Power Windows tour. It was clearly evident the appreciation the bands had for each other. I'd seen them 3-4 times back in the 90's and in 2000 (opened for Dream Theater on one occasion, special guests at G3 another time; as well as their own tour.) I met Rod a few times (once at Thoroughbred drum show) - always a super nice guy and easy to engage in drum talk with! Anyway, the opening night show was great - the original line-up from Stand Up is back; though I do miss Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu) on electric violin (he is superhuman) and Dave LaRue (bass virtuoso), it was great to see Allen Sloan and Andy West back with them - and they are no slouches! While there were some opening night jitters all around, Rod has not missed a step - and is very sharp behind the kit. Steve is just unreal - a true master and possibly the greatest guitarist on the planet. Though I will say, his arthritis is clearly affecting his picking and you have to wonder if some of his grimaces are from pain. Word was he almost had to withdraw from the last Deep Purple tour due to severe arthritic pain (reminds me of Alex on the R40 tour; though Steve was still hitting every note!) If you have a chance to see them, don't miss it! For the un-initiated: http://dixiedregs.com/about/ A small article with Steve Morse, describing the tour - I also can't help but feel a strong connection in tone to the reasons for Rush's retirement http://thezebra.org/...ving-the-dregs/ Tour dates: Wed 2/28 Clearwater, FL – Capitol Theatre Thu 3/1 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Fri 3/2 Augusta, GA – Bell Auditorium Sat 3/3 Atlanta, GA – Center Stage Mon 3/5 Charleston, SC – Charleston Music Hall Tue 3/6 Durham, NC – Carolina Theater Wed 3/7 Washington, DC – Lincoln Theater Thu 3/8 Wilmington, DE – The Grand Opera House Fri 3/9 Collingswood, NJ – Scottish Rite Auditorium Sat 3/10 Newton, NJ – Newton Theater Mon 3/12 Port Chester, NY – Capitol Theatre Wed 3/14 Ridgefield, CT – Ridgefield Playhouse Thu 3/15 Huntington, NY – The Paramount Fri 3/16 New York, NY – The Town Hall Sat 3/17 Woodstock, NY – Bearsville Theater Sun 3/18 Derry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall Mon 3/19 Boston, MA – Wilbur Theater Wed 3/21 Albany, NY – The Egg Thu 3/22 Pittsburgh, PA – Carnegie Music Hall Fri 3/23 Cleveland, OH – Kent Stage Sat 3/24 Chicago, IL – The Vic Theater Wed 4/11 Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theater Thu 4/12 Des Moines, IA – Hoyt Sherman Place Sat 4/14 Boulder, CO – Boulder Theatre Tue 4/17 Santa Cruz, CA – Rio Theater Wed 4/18 Sacramento, CA – Crest Theatre Thu 4/19 Fresno, CA – The Tower Theater Fri 4/20 San Juan Capistrano, CA – The Coach House Sat 4/21 Agoura Hills, CA – The Canyon Club Sun 4/22 Phoenix, AZ – Scottsdale Center for the Perf. Arts Wed 4/25 Dallas, TX – House of Blues Thu 4/26 New Orleans, LA – House of blues Sat 4/28 Atlanta, GA – Center Stage A few pictures I took opening night http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad352/cygnify/IMG_2579_zpsrprxelw6.jpg http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad352/cygnify/IMG_2565_zps3bubznf2.jpg Steve Morse's opening night setlist (They didn't play the last song, Gina Lola Breakdown) http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad352/cygnify/Steves%20Setlist_zpsoturgx2m.jpg A couple videos I took on my phone (partial songs) Odyssey http://youtu.be/t_XrKZ9mQrM Cruise Control (with drum solo) http://youtu.be/LCNE6VBejcY Assembly Line http://youtu.be/dXK1Mo1ZjO4 Wages of Weirdness http://youtu.be/LEMvuVag1gw