We want to close out news today with a salute to The Bridge. The band’s final show took place on Wednesday night at Ram’s Head Live in Baltimore. The evening proved to be a true celebration of the group’s career, as following a first set by the most recent incarnation of the band, midway through the second set, The Bridge brought its former members out the stage. The original rhythm section of Paul Weinburg (drums) and Ryan Poter (bass) appeared for “Them Changes” and “Rosalita.” Then Chris Bentley, the group’s first sax player joined in on “Sanctuary” and “Poison Wine.” Next came Ed Hough, another early drummer for the group (and longtime friend/collaborator of the band’s Cris Jacobs), who stepped out on guitar and then moved behind the kit, while fiddler Patrick McAvinue also participated (McAvinue appears with Hough and Jacobs in their bluegrass band Smooth Kentucky). Finally, the current version of the Bridge closed out the night for a stretch of music that finally concluded with “Coming Home.”

For more On The Bridge’s decision to call it quits, check out John Mancini’s recent essay on the group.

Final Setlist
The Bridge Rams Head Live
Baltimore, MD

Set One: Pakalolo, Shakedown Street, Brother Don’t, Chains, Rising Sun, Back Door Betty > Agua Y Vida > Super Funk, Good Rhythm > Firing Line > Easy Jane

Set Two: Big Wheel, Geraldine, Them Changes~, Rosalita~, Sanctuary@, Poison Wine@, Born Ramblin’#, Station Blues%, Flats Of The Old Avenue#, Colorado Motel&, Heavy Water, Angelina, Chavez, Rosie >14 Days, Jomotion > Dirt Ball Blues, Furthur To Roam, Bury My Bones In Baltimore

Enc: Beat Box > Drop The Beat, Restless Farewell, Coming Home

Notes:
~with Paul Weinburg, drums & Ryan Poter, bass
@with Chris Bentley, guitar
#with Ed Hough, guitar & Patrick McAvinue, fiddle
%with Ed Hough, drums & Patrick McAvinue, fiddle
&with Ed Hough, guitar and vocals