--- title: Rob Barraco on the Dead, taping concerts, and building a fan base image: https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601419303-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20133f2b8db74970b-120wi.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/2010/07/rob-barraco-on-the-dead-taping-concerts-and-building-a-fan-base.html#maincontent) [ «  View All Posts ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog) # Rob Barraco on the Dead, taping concerts, and building a fan base July 30th, 2010 1 min read By [David Meerman Scott](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott) ![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601419303-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20133f2b8db74970b-120wi.jpg?width=120&height=62&name=6a00d83451f23a69e20133f2b8db74970b-120wi.jpg) [![Dso](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601419303-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20133f2b8db74970b-120wi.jpg)](http://freshspot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f23a69e20133f2b8db74970b-popup) [Rob Barraco](http://www.robbarraco.com/) plays keyboards and vocals for [Dark Star Orchestra](http://www.darkstarorchestra.net/NEWSITE/HTML/dso.php). From 1999, Rob has been part of Phil Lesh and Friends and in 2002 he joined with the original members of the Grateful Dead for the Alpine Valley reunion shows and then toured with them in 2002 and 2003. In this video shot backstage at the [Gathering of the Vibes](http://www.gatheringofthevibes.com/Home) festival I talk with Rob about touring with the Dead, the phenomenon of the tapers, and what that means to promoting a band and building a scene. **Favorite (slightly paraphrased) quotes: ** *“It was genius to allow [taping] because it propagated the whole scene.”* “Going to Dead shows is like your last chance to join the circus before you have to give it all up and go onto adulthood.” “The scene is bigger than the music and the musicians.” [Dark Star Orchestra](http://www.darkstarorchestra.net/NEWSITE/HTML/dso.php) shows are built off the extensive catalog of the Grateful Dead. On any given night the band will perform a show based on a set list from the Grateful Dead's 30 years of extensive touring or use the catalog of original songs and often played covers to create a unique set list for the show. [![Rob_barraco](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1601419358-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e2013485dcbf3a970c-320wi.jpg)](http://freshspot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f23a69e2013485dcbf3a970c-popup) [Direct link to video.](http://vimeo.com/13762165) [ David Meerman Scott ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott) David Meerman Scott is a business growth strategist, advisor to clever entrepreneurs who are building emerging companies, and the international bestselling author of a dozen books published in 30 languages. David’s high-energy keynote presentations, masterclasses, and virtual events educate, energize, and inspire. Connect: [mailto:david@freshspot.com](mailto:david@freshspot.com) Topics: [ Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/marketing-lessons-from-the-grateful-dead) [ Case Studies ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/case-studies) Don't forget to share this post: ## Related Articles [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Bobby%20Weir.jpg?width=1500&height=765&name=Bobby%20Weir.jpg) ### Bobby Weir and the Music that Will Never Stop January 11th, 2026|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/bobby-weir-and-the-music-that-will-never-stop) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Jerry%20MLGD.jpg?width=1477&height=1041&name=Jerry%20MLGD.jpg) ### Why You Should Avoid Hiring Well-Rounded Employees December 8th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/why-you-should-avoid-hiring-well-rounded-employees) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Thumb_V2.png?width=1366&height=768&name=Thumb_V2.png) ### AI Book Trailer for Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead November 25th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/ai-book-trailer-for-marketing-lessons-from-the-grateful-dead) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MLGD%20pb%20announcement.jpg?width=1900&height=1065&name=MLGD%20pb%20announcement.jpg) ### New Edition of Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead! 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