It's different with everyone. Everybody has their loves, and desires. Sometimes it's the music, sometimes it's the company.
Sometimes it's the adventure. Sometimes, it's for nostalgia's sake. For me, some combination of those, plus more.
Also, it's because I can. A couple years ago, I couldn't. I'm just trying to live for the moment.
Who know's what tomorrow will bring.

i don't know how much more fucking clear i have to be on this.

i am a fed, they pay me to go on tour. it's my job.

I've only read the first post so far.... for me it seems like I can't get enough, almost like an addiction but I always say and tell myself that I'd much rather be addicted to good live music and a great community of folks then drugs/alcohol oIr something like that...

can't explain what attracts me to the music of the GD over anything else but it's there and I wont deny it.... I can't think of anything better to spend my money on then to make it to as many shows as I can... the music is enough for me and I used to just go see a show and come home but the whole sense of community makes it that much better and makes me want to be a part of as much as I could.... then there's always the sense that we don't know how long it will go on for, every show could be the last....

there is also the fact that so many shows are within 2-3 hours of me, and even if they are 5 or 6 or 7 hours away I still feel like it's to close to miss - cause for how long will I have this many chances to see them so close?

I don't share my love for the GD with anybody back home, except my mom pretty much so it just feels right and like home to be out on the road with the band and the whole community.

I still feel like I can't really explain how I feel, but I guess that's close enough for now

4words : Because I love it !!!!!! You know you ll see me there!!!I love you guys!!!!For me bill it s been a lifelong passion of mine.I started out when i was 19 and some friends of mine pulled up to the house in a rented van and said get the fuck in!I had a million reasons why i couldnt.did nt wanna go no money no weed no nuttin at the time.They said shut up and get in the van!!!!I did.The rest is history as they say.Got in like 35 or maybe 37 jerry shows have to do the math again lol.But i also did that thing where we were sitting on a porch and my friend says hey the dead are playing pine knob michigan in 2 days and we got off the porch and hitchhiked to michigan.My backpack got stolen from the golf course next to the venue cus i was stupid e3nough to let it behind.(lesson learned).Always secure your valuables clothes whatever.But i digress,I love the ff and the folks but for me it always has been and always will be that moment in time when the music hits me and i feel no pain!!!!That show where ya eat just enough L and the band hits there paces and ya start dancing and there is nothing that exists in the whole wide world but that groove,Should you lose that groove and happen to look around and ya see all those colorful people in thier groove well it s hard not to find yours again.So i ll reiterate it s those shows that are down right religious experiences!!!!!!!!!Syracuse on 11/11/11 was the last 1 of those for me.The right combo of L the people i was surrounded by(big what up strick) and the band just pouring there hearts out to me yeah just me screw those other hippys round me you played all those songs cus I needed them that night i needed the love and the direction.To come out and be speechless and all my friends saying wow over and over cus the band played to just them as well that night and they were speechless as well.1 DAY I SHALL BE RELEASED!!! The music takes me away from the pain of my past and the mundane everyday existence.Throw in the most awesome people you ll ever meet and well all of a sudden ya have a greatful dead family and ya just wanna keep that trucking on!!!!Hope it helps cus i could have wrote ya a book on that 1 lol.Hope to see you again soon bill.On an edit tip it has happened to me without the L as well.1 of my favorite shows was the mann center just recently last 2 yrs i think although 3 years ago with the 2 night stand was a blast lol i think it was the year after but again it was who was around me and the band hitting that groove that only they can again jmho.

Bill, it's simple really.....I just love it. This music somehow touches me in a way nothing else does. When life piles on the responsibilities and stresses, a show melts all that away and more then that it refills me with peace and joy. I haven't found anything else that can do that for me. Through the scene I've met many people that I've come to love like family and miss when unable to attend. I'd travel just to see these people even if there wasn't a show. How can you get enough of that?

5 in a year is more than enough for me, and being a Midwesterner, that hasn't happened in a while. I'm not a great traveler. I'm a homebody. I think touring sounds fun and is something easily envious, but I also know myself well enough that it isn't for me. I've also learned that after three shows, I need a break. I plateau at three, and then it is a quick slide downwards. I stop appreciating the music, the experience, the ability to watch Phil and the drummer, etc. A tedium sets in, and that isn't something I want to happen. I'm not interested in struggling with it as a task. There's enough tedium in life that I don't need to invite it into something so sacred, and by knowing when it does indeed seep into it, I can cut it off at the pass and disinvite it. If I lived around the corner from TC, maybe I'd feel differently. I'd like to hope so. Then again, unless there is a trust fund waiting to drop on me that I don't know about, the financials would quickly curb that situation.

Of all people I can see why with you Burt.

Studying the bass and dissecting live music can be a heck of a method to boost you're music career.

Oh yeah, and the fed thing too.