Photo Credit: Geoff Tischman

On Dec. 17, Jason Isbell took part in An Evening Of Conversation and Song alongside Will Welch, the global editorial director for GQ Magazine, at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. During the performance, Isbell played a cover of the Grateful Dead’s American Beauty standard, “Ripple,” watch below. 

Prior to laying down the acoustic chords, Isbell spoke to the audience about singer/songwriter and notable member of The Highwomen, Amanda Shires, who just so happens to be Isbell’s significant other. Isbell referenced Shire’s time employed at a record store in Lubbock, Texas, where she worked with a fan of the San Francisco jamband, who frequently spun live bootlegs. 

Isbell went on to joke about his wife’s confusion with the Grateful Dead’s live sound, mistaking the guitar tuning at the start of live numbers for the chords of a full-on tune. Then, after big laughs from the audience, Isbell began strumming the fan favorite in a solo stand which can be viewed below.