Bobby Weir Releases Rare Blue Mountain Studio Track
Rhino shared the previously unreleased song to celebrate the legendary musician's 79th birthday.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Folk
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Rhino has released The Ground Don't Want Me, a previously unheard studio track from Bobby Weir's 2016 Blue Mountain album sessions. The release coincides with the singer's 79th birthday and a new 180-gram 2LP vinyl reissue of the original record.
Why it matters
The track offers fans a deeper look into the collaborative sessions that defined the folk-inspired Blue Mountain era. It also highlights the ongoing creative partnership between Bobby Weir and John Mayer, who contributed acoustic lead guitar to the song.
The new track features acoustic lead guitar by John Mayer and composition by Bobby Weir, Josh Ritter, and Josh Kaufman. It follows Josh Ritter's own 2019 recording of the song on his album Fever Breaks.
The players
Bobby Weir
He is a founding member of the Grateful Dead and an influential figure in the American folk and rock scene.
John Mayer
He is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who has become a prominent collaborator in the post-Grateful Dead music circuit.
Josh Ritter
He is an acclaimed singer-songwriter known for his literate lyrics and contributions to modern folk music.
Rhino
It is a record label and archival division of Warner Music Group dedicated to reissuing and preserving historic music catalogs.
The details
The song features performances by a range of musicians including Jay Lane, Josh Kaufman, Robin Sylvester, Leslie Mendelson, and Annie Nero. Fans can purchase the newly available 180-gram 2LP vinyl reissue of the original album exclusively through the official web portal.
Timeline
John Mayer began performing with Bobby Weir in 2015.
The Blue Mountain album was originally released in 2016.
Josh Ritter released his album Fever Breaks in 2019.
The new studio track was released on October 16, 2026.
The Blue Mountain 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition arrives on November 20, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The rise of the 180-gram vinyl format reflects a broader industry trend of prioritizing premium physical media to drive sales for catalog reissues. This strategy effectively monetizes archival recordings by offering collectors tangible versions of rare or previously unavailable content.
Fans can listen to the new track on major streaming platforms and purchase the limited 180-gram vinyl edition via the official portal. These releases provide listeners with a way to physically own and support the expansion of the original Blue Mountain catalog.
The takeaway
Archival releases often provide a bridge between legendary performers and their contemporary collaborators. Listeners can gain a better appreciation for a classic album's history by exploring the bonus tracks that were left out of the initial studio cuts.
What happens next
The Blue Mountain 10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition is scheduled for release on November 20, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more music news in the Folk section of our site.
More information
To order the new 180-gram edition, visit the Vinyl reissue purchase portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Relix Media.
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