KGNU Presents: Spring Grateful Dead Rare Tapes Special, Honoring the Life & Legacy of Bob Weir

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March 3, 2026

Boulder, CO — This Saturday, March 7th, from 7 pm-midnight, KGNU Community Radio will present its semi-annual on-air Grateful Dead Rare Tapes Special. Taking place during the KGNU Spring Fund Drive, this special show is a deep exploration of rarely heard demos, live concerts, and archival gems from the iconic band. This spring’s special is dedicated to the life and legacy of Bob Weir.

Hosted by longtime KGNU Grateful Dead Rare Tapes Special hosts Chris O’Riley and Mike Massa, the program will celebrate Weir’s extraordinary musical journey, spanning more than six decades. In addition to Grateful Dead favorites, listeners can expect selections from the many bands beyond the Dead that Weir helped shape throughout his career.

“We’ll be playing Grateful Dead favorites, of course, but also selections from many of the dozen or so (count them!) bands other than the Dead that Bobby played in over his 60-plus years of performing,” says co-host Mike Massa. “It will be a fascinating dive into the music of Bob Weir, and I hope you’ll join us.”

Paul Epstein, founder of Twist and Shout Records and a regular KGNU host, will call in during the special to share reflections and stories, along with other guest voices honoring Weir’s impact and influence.

In advance of the broadcast, Chris O’Riley appeared on Tales from the Golden Road, the weekly interactive call-in program on the SiriusXM Grateful Dead Channel, hosted by David Gans and Gary Lambert. The show invites Deadheads from across the country to share stories, memories of live shows, and thoughtful discussions about the Grateful Dead’s enduring legacy. As a long-running community forum for fans, Tales from the Golden Road reflects the same spirit of shared exploration and connection that KGNU brings to its Rare Tapes Special.

As part of the broadcast, KGNU will offer special thank-you gifts for supporters, including one of our previous Grateful Dead Special posters signed by Bob Weir himself, a 4CD set of all the music played on the Bob Weir Special and more, and a new poster commemorating the Special. Everyone who contributes during the show will receive the new poster.

KGNU’s Grateful Dead Rare Tapes Special is a celebration of musical exploration, community, and the enduring spirit of one of rock’s most influential artists. Listeners can tune in at 88.5 FM in Boulder, 1390 AM in Denver, on the KGNU Mobile App, and online at kgnu.org. Call in to support this special programming and KGNU by calling 303-449-4885 during the show or contributing online at kgnu.org.

For more information about the special and KGNU’s Spring Fund Drive, visit kgnu.org.

About KGNU Community Radio

KGNU is a volunteer-powered, listener-supported community radio station, heard locally at 88.5 FM in Boulder and Denver, 1390 AM in Denver, 93.7 FM in the Nederland area, 98.7 FM in Fort Collins, and online at kgnu.org. We seek to stimulate, educate and entertain our audience, to reflect the diversity of the local and world community, and to provide a channel for individuals, groups, issues, and music that have been overlooked, suppressed, or under-represented by other media. The station seeks to expand the listening audience through the excellence of its programming without compromising the principles stated here.

Contact:

Indra Raj, Music Director, KGNU Community Radio

303-449-4885 | [email protected]

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