Posted by Oteil Burbridge on July 9, 2017 “Let Oteil Sing” Pays It Forward

A “Let Oteil Sing” shirt shows up on the big screen at a Dead & Company show.

I can’t tell you enough how much the people who have participated in the “Let Oteil Sing” campaign have meant to me. In recent days, all of your hard work has borne some amazing fruit. It’s been a life changing experience for me and my family. While we are riding this small wave I wanted to remind all of the fans that the “Let Oteil Sing” shirts serve a dual purpose and the second purpose is actually much more important. Our #1 fan Chris DiNardo took it upon himself to create a “Let Oteil Sing” t-shirt and website, and it was also his idea to donate 100% of the profits to Gorilla Doctors, a nonprofit organization saving wild gorillas that my wife Jess works with.

My wife Jess with the mountain gorillas in Rwanda.

I personally made the trek up Rwanda’s volcanoes to see these gorillas in their natural habitat in 2012. It was like going back in time a million years. Nothing compares to it. If you ever get the chance to do something like that I would highly recommend it. Their transient, close knit families and gentle nature remind me a lot of the traveling Deadhead community.

Jess and I with the Hirwa family in Rwanda.

Make sure when you get your “Let Oteil Sing” shirts, they’re the original, official shirt here.  If you already have a shirt, and just want to donate to Gorilla Doctors to support their amazing work, you can do that on their website here. A big thank you to Chris DiNardo for creating this campaign to benefit Gorilla Doctors and to Heather Murphy for creating the “Let Oteil Sing” Facebook page. Let’s all get together and help save some gorillas! 

From L to R: Mike Gordon, Chris DiNardo and his son with Sam Cutler, and Bill Walton.