Duane Betts & Friends Shake Horseshoe Music Festival with “Sugaree”

Photo Credit: Kaelan Barowsky

Relix is pleased to share an exclusive video from the second annual Horseshoe Music Festival,  hosted by musician Duane Betts and his wife, designer Lisa Hadley Betts. The latest gathering occurred over Labor Day weekend, Aug. 30 through Sept. 1, in Jackson Hole, Wyo., and included three thematic nights, the first of which was dubbed “Skulls & Peaches,” inspired by the music of the Grateful Dead and Allman Brothers Band. Culled from the set is a supreme rendition of Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter’s seductive “Sugaree,” chock-full of outstanding moments that flexed each player’s musical skill set. 

The video finds Betts and the festival’s Musical Director, Eric Krasno, joined on stage by a staggering force of talent: George Porter Jr., Ivan Neville, Steve Kimock, Jackie Greene, Jaime Wyatt, John Morgan Kimock and Erika Orbison. From the onset of the first notes, Krasno puts forth riffs not unlike Garica, channeling the iconic musician’s approach by making his guitar cry out and wail with a similar emotive push to the bellow of ensuing lyrics from the incomparable Porter Jr.

Like it was intended, Betts and company use the composition as a jam catalyst, embracing its familiar framework while also using it as a jumping-off point for elaboration. To that effect, a playfulness seeps through at the three-minute marker, an interplay between Porter Jr. and Greene, who annihilates his delivery, eating up the lyrics to the satisfaction of The Meters’ bassist. Moments of superior musicianship continue [4:45], with Krasno’s fast fingers conjuring the essence of Garcia’s riffs. 

On the other side of Krasno’s solo, outlaw country singer Wyatt uses the richness of her voice to cast a twang over the lyrics before the whole cast of characters unleash the chorus. The jovial atmosphere promotes Porter Jr.’s encouragement of Steve Kimock to lend some heat next as he appears at center stage, offering an ab-lib complimented by Krasno for a multiplayer ascent and one of the top instrumental moments of the 12-plus minute delivery. 

With force and feeling, Porter Jr. brings the song home with help from fellow Crescent City mainstay, Neville. At its heart, this rendition sees Betts advance as a matchless bandleader, allowing the assembly of players to feel at home in the music, step forward when the time strikes, and live in the moment, much like the approach exhibited by predecessors and sourced inspiration for the set, the Grateful Dead and Allman Brothers. 

“My main goal was making sure the music wasn’t just good, but that it left the audience feeling like they had witnessed something special. I am so grateful to be able to create this musical heaven where I’m surrounded by friends and some of the best artists in the business,” Betts offered. Outcome achieved. 

Scroll down to watch the Relix exclusive premiere of Duane Betts & Friends’ cover of “Sugaree” performed at the 2024 Jackson Hole edition of Horseshoe Music Festival. 

Read our 2024 interview with Duane Betts and Lisa Hadley Betts.