Scott Hannay started the Umphrey’s McNES project a few years ago. His intent was “to portray a few select Umphrey’s McGee songs in the way that I sometimes heard them in my head…like it was coming through the NES sound chip. Something about the combination of the guitar tone, the beat, and the dual lead harmonies set it off for me. I almost felt…obligated!” Back in April 2009 the group invited him to sit in for a song at the Calvin Theater in Northampton, MA and last night they extended the offer again. Hannay joined Umphrey’s for the “Miss Tinkles Overture” at Higher Ground in South Burlington, VT.

This evening it’s on to Washington, D.C. for Umphrey’s.