He Wrote to Dave Matthews in 8th Grade — Then They Played The Gorge ~ Jake Renick Simpson | Ep. 244

Jake Renick Simpson’s story is straight out of a dream — the kind every music fan has but few ever live.

In eighth grade, Jake wrote a letter to Dave Matthews saying he’d play music with him someday. Years later, that dream came true when he stepped on stage at The Gorge, performing fiddle alongside Dave Matthews Band in front of thousands.

On this episode of Cocktails with Dimples and The Beard, Jake tells the full story — from learning fiddle at four years old and recording his first album at eleven, to touring with Lukas Nelson and the moment he got the call to join Dave on stage.

We talk about:
🎻 The difference between a fiddle and a violin (and why Jake’s has a rattlesnake rattle inside)
🎶 His journey from small-town bluegrass festivals to national tours
📜 The eighth-grade letter that manifested his dream
🤯 Meeting Dave Matthews and trying not to “fangirl”
🔥 What it felt like playing Before These Crowded Streets live at The Gorge

It’s a story about timing, talent, and one surreal weekend that changed everything.

Check out Jake Renick Simpson -
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/r3n1ck

Big thanks to the sponsors for this episode - Boom Island Brewing & Great Lakes Distillery
Boom Island Brewing Website: https://boomislandbrewing.com
Boom Island Brewing IG: https://www.instagram.com/boomislandbeer
Great Lakes Distillery Website: https://greatlakesdistillery.com/
Great Lakes Distillery IG: https://www.instagram.com/greatlakesdistillery

Check us out -
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cwdatb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cwdatbpodcast/
Website: https://cocktailswithdimplesandthebeard.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CocktailswithDimplesandTheBeard
X: https://twitter.com/dimplesthebeard
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cocktailsdimplesthebeard
Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-6163487

Sponsorship and business inquiries: [email protected]

00:50 – Boom Island Beers & Great Lakes Distillery
05:35 – Jake Renick Simpson Joins the Show
08:33 – First Time at The Gorge
10:19 – Fiddle vs Violin (And That Rattlesnake Rattle)
17:35 – From Cheddar Shake to Lukas Nelson
38:19 – Meeting Dave Matthews at Wildlands
42:35 – Playing The Gorge With Dave Matthews Band
45:09 – The 8th-Grade Letter That Came True
1:03:23 – Songwriting, Gratitude & What’s Next