It was after the second trip to Las Vegas to see Dead in Company at the Sphere that I had the idea to write a fan-fiction style novel of the experience form the eyes of the dedicated fans who traveled from far and wide to experience the shows.
I had happened upon some time this summer to dedicate to writing on several projects–manuscripts, research papers and journaling–so I decided to commit to seeing how far I could take the story.
I used the music as a guide. Having spent over thirty years listening to the Grateful Dead and many of their predecessors, I had experienced the thrill of the show-going experience and had been to Las Vegas several times over the years. I felt like I had a strong basis of knowledge to draw from, and inspiration moved me brightly to write this book.
What you will read is something that took form, after hours and hours of listening to the live shows on Mixlr, watching the videos of the show son Youtube and Facebook, and spending countless hours on audio archives online, doing research into Las Vegas and drawing from memory my own experiences in that City of Sin over the years, plus a healthy amount of embellishment as only the art of fiction allows.
This novel is in ways a mix of Las Vegas insider tour guide, action-packed tour-life adventure, suspenseful Sin City intrigue, musical revelry and romantic adventure. Most of all it is just a real good time!
As I put the final touches on the full-length manuscript that is One More Saturday Night, I am excited to bring something to the fans who love the Grateful Dead, who revel in the ideology of the counter-culture movement and who are needing just a little more of that ‘Good Lovin'” that the Dead, their music, their art and their community provides.
I hope you enjoy this book, and that it is as much fun to read as it was to write it! Pre-order should be up in a few days and I am targeting August 11 as the official release date on Amazon Kindle.
See you on the never-ending tour!
Tony
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Synopsis
**One More Saturday Night: A Dead in Vegas Inspired Novel**
Alex Walker is a Deadhead on a quest to experience the Grateful Dead like never before. With the band hosting a residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas, he expects nothing less than an amazing adventure into the heart of Sin City. Along the way, he meets Lily, an enchanting woman who only hints at the depth of her mystery, taking Alex on an unfolding journey that explores his mind, heart, and soul.
Meanwhile, the true living, breathing entity that is the City of Sin plays host to myriad other characters whose paths intersect over the course of a weekend series of Dead shows at The Sphere. As these stories take you on an exploration of the visceral immersion that is Las Vegas, you are entertained with intrigue and suspense, discovering that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas. In this electric playground, everything is more than meets the eye.
Their journey intertwines with a colorful cast of characters, creating a rich mosaic of interwoven storylines:
– Two Baby Boomer ex-musicians reuniting for one last hurrah, providing wisdom and levity amidst the madness.
– Streetwise best friends with troubled pasts, hustling tourists and high rollers to survive, their friendship tested by their entanglements with dangerous figures.
– An elite stripper and escort, navigating her way out of a life controlled by a powerful, narcissistic man, finding strength and hope in the most unlikely places.
– An affluent artist and a barista with dreams, finding themselves in a whirlwind romance, challenged by the city’s allure and their contrasting backgrounds.
As these characters’ lives converge, they navigate the surreal spectacle of Vegas, from the vibrant Dead Forever Exhibit to the shady dive bars and high-stakes poker rooms. With a bear on the loose, wild rumors, and unexpected encounters, the city’s allure threatens to unravel their sanity and safety.
Beneath the surface, the underworld of Vegas pulses with danger, as power struggles and dark dealings add a thrilling edge to their quest. The legendary shows at The Sphere become a beacon of hope, a place where music transcends and transforms, offering a fleeting escape from the chaos around them.
A rich tapestry of character, scenery, and intrigue, “One More Saturday Night: A Dead in Vegas Inspired Novel” offers Deadheads a chance to experience a new perspective of what it means to live, listen to, and love the music and lyrics of the Grateful Dead, while capturing the true essence of Las Vegas. Written by a Deadhead for Deadheads, if you’re going to hell in a bucket, baby…you might as well enjoy the ride!
Join the psychedelic whirlwind of “One More Saturday Night” and let the music play on. Download now and get lost in the ride!