Big Whiskey & the Groogrux King is far from a typical album name. The album, as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, is a tribute to the late LeRoi Moore who passed away after a freak ATV accident last August. That fall marked the first time the band played without all original members since 1993, only two years after the band’s founding. Everything about this album is a tribute to the monster woodwind member of an unusual band consisting of electric and acoustic instruments varying from guitars, a violin, and a horn section – and that was just the base lineup. Guests could come in on anything from banjos to tribal chanting. The live Dave Matthews Band experience is a major part of the success of the band, and as such I give you what I feel will probably be the most emotional song on the album. From the Madison Square Gardens show on April 14TH, here’s Why I Am performed live by the Dave Matthews Band. The audience at the end of the song? They’re chanting LeRoi. I will probably not make it through this album or the show I’m hitting next September without crying. Don’t give me any shit about it.

Dave Matthews Band – Why I Am (Live 4/14/09)

I grew from monkey into man
Then I crossed fifteen million with the wave of my hand
I grew drunk on water, turned into wine
’til I was slave and master at the same damn time

But it’s why I am
It’s why I am

Why
I
Am
Still here dancing with the Groogrux

Out of my head and into you
Well hello

A king of men, it makes no sense
And I bow to the priest while I worship the witch

But it’s why I am
The only one to make you smile
Why I am
A snake in the wood pile
Why
I
Am

Still here dancing with the Groogrux King

Out of my head and into the world
So when my ghost takes me from you
You can remember the fool I am
Don’t cry baby, don’t cry

It’s the flute and the wind of the world
Wrong and right, us and them of the world
It’s the you and the me of the world
Only one way out of the world
It’s the flute and the wind of the world
Wrong and right, us and them of the world
It’s the you and the me of the world
Only one way out of the world

It’s why I am
Unlikely to agree
Why I am
Climb out of my monkey tree

Why
I
Am

Still here dancing with the Groogrux King
I’ll be drinking big whiskey while we dance and sing
When my story ends it’s gonna end with him
Heaven or hell, I’m going there with the Groogrux King

Why I am
The apple of your pretty eye
Why I am
A snake in the wood pile

Why
I
Am

Still here dancing with the Groogrux King

Out of my head and into the world
So when my ghost takes me from you
You can remember the fool I am
Don’t cry baby, don’t cry

TO: All CU-Boulder Students FROM: Office of the Chancellor

DATE: April 15, 2009 SUBJECT: A statement from the CU-Boulder leadership to CU Students on the 4/20 gathering

Dear Students:

As another April 20 approaches, we are faced with concerns from students, parents, alumni, Regents, and community members about a repeat of last year’s 4/20 “event.”

You know, ’cause last year’s stoner convention attendance doubled from 2007 and we’ve heard 20,000 may be attending this year. That’s a shit ton of people, yo.

Let us start by saying that we share their concerns. A gathering of thousands on our campus for the sole purpose of engaging in unlawful activity is contrary to everything that CU-Boulder stands for and is in no way condoned. This event only serves to harm the reputation of this great university and is comprised in large part of individuals with no investment in the university at all.

Despite the fact that no one’s been hurt at a CU 4/20 event and it’s really not all that different from the hundreds of thousands (low estimate) of college students across North America who are “harming the reputation” of their own universities.

The increasingly large crowds that have gathered in recent years present safety risks for participants, whether students or people not affiliated with the campus. This activity violates a number of campus regulations designed to provide for the well-being of our campus and neighboring community.

So many people lighting their papers and bowls at once are clearly a contributing factor to rising concerns about global warming. And you might burn your thumb!

On April 20, 2009, we hope that you will choose not to participate in unlawful activity that debases the reputation of your University and degree, and will encourage your fellow Buffs to act with pride and remember who they really are — part of a dynamic environment of teaching, research, learning, and service, nationally recognized for its unique and stellar academic programs, outstanding faculty, and proud students and alumni.

We could join chess club. I heard they need some active bodies!

Some people drink, some people don’t
Some people think, some people won’t
Some people like to smoke a bowl
And some people don’t
Some people do
Some people don’t
And it’s okay, ’cause it’s meant to be that way

- The wise and noble Dave Matthews

Sincerely,

Phil DiStefano
Interim Chancellor

Julie Wong
Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs

Deb Coffin
Dean of Students

Monday is 4/20. I bet you almost forgot. Be safe, friends, and have fun.