06/18/2026
JUST ANNOUNCED! Bella Rayne & Friends: A Tribute To Bob Weir will perform at the 2026 Back Home Festival !
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Marc Ridge & The Revelers are no longer able to appear at this year's festival, but we couldn't be more thrilled to add Bella Rayne & Friends to the lineup in their place!
At just 18, Bella Rayne is a self-taught guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter whose sound is quickly turning heads across the country. Born in the mountains of North Carolina and raised along the rugged coast of Mendocino, California, she blends rock and Americana with the improvisational spirit of the jam-band tradition—creating a sound that feels both timeless and strikingly new, bridging generations of listeners. Her journey began during the pandemic, when she pulled an old Stratocaster from her garage, fixed it up, and taught herself to play by ear—unlocking a voice and style entirely her own.
Despite her young age, Bella has already shared the stage with seasoned artists and respected bands: appearances alongside Allman Betts Family Revival, Melvin Seals & JGB, ALO, Jackie Greene, Oteil Burbridge, and members of Terrapin Family have all added to her early résumé and she was touted as “one to watch” by her idol, Susan Tedeschi in a 2025 Guitar World Magazine
interview. In addition, she has been invited to iconic stages nationwide including The Fillmore SF, The Orpheum LA, Sweetwater Music Hall, The Hamilton, and even celebrated her 18th birthday with a set on the Prudential stage at Bottlerock Napa festival.
One of the most iconic moments of her rising career: she was entrusted to play the legendary guitar known as “Alligator” — once wielded by Jerry Garcia. That honor, courtesy of Grateful Guitars Foundation, has become a defining chapter in Bella’s journey and Guitar Player magazine recently recognized her as one of the players “keeping the Dead alive” alongside Jeff Mason (Dark Star Orchestra) and Tom Hamilton (JRAD) in an article from May 2025.
Bella Rayne's passion has earned her a growing following throughout the country. Alongside a talented group of musicians, she will be bringing the music of Bob Weir to the Back Home stage for a special performance Deadheads certainly won't want to miss!
