Natural Dead is an acoustic tribute to the Grateful Dead that follows the same recipe of instrumentation as the Grateful Dead’s “Reckoning” album. Founder, singer and guitarist Doug Macrae was inspired to perform this specialty music, as well as other song favorites, when he came into possession of a Stephen Cripe original acoustic guitar. The instrument was designed and built specifically for Jerry Garcia as a prototype but unfortunately never made it to him due to his untimely passing. Tragically, within 2 years, Stephen Cripe also passed away. This made the acoustic guitar, named The Dolphin because of a mother of pearl inlay on the 12th fret, a one of a kind.
Now, the instrument is being put to its best use: keeping the spirit of both Jerry and Stephen alive by performing the music it was intended to. Naturally, the acoustic music of the Grateful Dead.