Violin River

Violin River formed in 2008 from a circle of longtime Rhode Island musicians and bills itself as the state's premier Grateful Dead tribute. The band is Richard Herzog on lead guitar, Gary St. Germain on drums, Paul Sauvageau on keys and vocals, Pete Silvia on bass and vocals, and Carleen Roberts Sauvageau on vocals; two members were inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame in 2017 as part of RIZZZ. They work both the acoustic and electric sides of the catalog and describe the sound as Americana — rock and roll, country, jazz, bluegrass, blues and psychedelic jams. They hold a first-Saturday residency at Strings Bar & Grill in Johnston and play Providence rooms including Alchemy and The Met.