Steve Kimock took to his website to address not being included in the Grateful Dead’s 50th anniversary celebration in Chicago. The RatDog guitarist, who has also played in such Grateful Dead projects like The Other Ones and Rhythm Devils, was not chosen to helm the band as Trey Anastasio was tapped to lead the group at Soldier Field.

On his site, Kimock said, “I’ve had the not entirely pleasant experience of hearing my own name come up more than a couple of times in various ‘passed over’ for guitar chair contexts, along with misc. criticisms and second guessing of the band’s personnel solution. I’m a bit disheartened by the negative tone of some of it.”

The guitarist continued, “A trip the size of the Grateful Dead is it’s own world and operates according to its own rules. I completely understand their decisions and personally have zero issues with the whole thing. So let’s drop it.”

Kimock was complimentary of the Dead’s legacy and says, “I love those guys, that band, that crew, that music, those fans. They’ve worked really hard to get this together for everybody and they deserve our support.”

Read the full statement here.