Sturgill Simpson Performs Grateful Dead’s “Morning Dew” With Bob Weir and John Mayer

Sturgill Simpson just helped bring an iconic song to life.

Videos by American Songwriter

Grateful Dead is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary with a string of shows at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

The shows are put on by Dead & Company, a group that features the surviving members of the original band—Bobby Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, and Mickey Hart—along with a rotating series of musicians to fill in for the late Jerry Garcia.

Both Simpson and John Mayer have filled in that role over the years, though the latter singer has been doing so more often as of late.

When fans stepped out for one and Dead & Company’s recent shows, however, they got the chance to see both Simpson and Mayer onstage together.

Simpson, who opened up for Dead & Company at their Aug. 2 show, later joined Weir, Mayer, and the others to perform the 1967 track “Morning Dew.” Throughout the 12-minute song, Simpson and Mayer took turns taking on the song’s solos.

The whole thing left audience members both stunned and delighted.

Dead & Company’s San Francisco Shows

Simpson, who also plays music under the name Johnny Blue Skies, recently wrapped his Who the F**k Is Johnny Blue Skies 2025 Tour. He is set to play at the Bourbon & Beyond festival in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater, in September.

As for Mayer, the singer is on the festival circuit for the rest of the year. He’ll play YLIVE in Youngstown, Ohio, Pilgrimage Music Festival in Tennessee, and California’s Palm Tree Festival over the next few months. Fans can also catch Mayer in Michigan on Sept. 27, when he’ll be a guest at Zach Bryan’s show.

This is the last thing on the calendar for Dead & Company in the near future. If fans missed the fun on Aug. 3, they can live stream the band’s final show in San Francisco on Aug. 4. Those who opt to do just that will be treated to an opening performance from Trey Anastasio Band.

Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Stagecoach