Dave Matthews Band closed out its summer tour at home over the weekend, offering the first two performances at the University of Virginias new John Paul Jones Arena. On both nights, Robert Randolph opened for the group and joined the DMB onstage. On Friday, Randolph appeared on Two Step. A night, later, the pedal steel wiz enhanced Smooth Rider and Louisiana Bayou. Longtime Dave Matthews Band collaborator John DEarth—-who provided string arrangements on the groups _ Before These Crowded Streets_—-also joined the group on trumpet for much of its set Friday. In addition, DMB engineer Joe Lawlor received some face time, playing guitar on Rhyme & Reason Friday and If I Had It All Saturday. Dave Matthews will perform a rare solo spot in Camden, NJ at Farm Aid Saturday.

Also, our ongoing Jambands.com reader interview series will continue this fall. First up is Robert Randolph. So if you have a question that you’d like to ask Robert, please float it our away. Feel free to touch on the Family Band’s forthcoming release Colorblind, the selection of ‘Thrill Of It’ for Saturday Night Football, Robert’s various guest appearances with other artists or even those Wetlands days long past. Please send those queries to us by next Friday September 29- [email protected].