On Friday, 3/4ths of Phish performed together at South Burlington, VTs Higher Ground, leading many fans to believe that the groups breakup is indeed a second hiatus. A benefit for Vermont congressman Bernie Sanders, the evening featured two-sets from Mike Gordon and Ramble Dove, as well as an appearance by Grace Potter and The Nocturnals. I dont usually dabble much in politics, but I am so crazy about Bernie, what he might be able to do and what he has been able to do, Gordon tells Jambands.com/Relix. If he could move from the House to the Senate, amazing things could happen. Beginning with Weekly Time, Jon Fishman joined Ramble Dove for the majority of its set, including the new Gordon originals Ramble Dove and Loosening up the Rules. Near the end of Ramble Doves first set, Page McConnell joined his former bandmates onstage for Blame it on My Heart, Ill Never Grow Tired of You and Gone Gone Gone. As previously reported, just two days earlier Trey Anastasio joined Ramble Dove for a chunk of its performance at New Yorks Irving Plaza.

Ramble Doves Friday performance featured appearances from a number of Vermont residents and veteran honky-tonk players, including RAQ guitarist Chris Michetti, keyboardist Tom Cleary, fiddler Joe Cleary and guitarist Dan Archer, who engineered _ Lawn Boy_ and played in Pork Tornado with Fishman. Grace Potter and The Nocturnals, who opened Ramble Doves entire spring tour, also performed on Mystery Train at the start of Ramble Doves second set, while Potter supplied vocals on a show closing version of I Shall Be Released. A night later, Ramble Doves string of collaborations continued at Northampton, MAs Pearl Street, with Max Creeks Mark Mercier playing keyboards on such songs as Aint No Grave, Juanita, and Big Iron, among others.