garcia rocks! huge dead fan here! my $ went to seeing the dead, didn't see any ut or son volt (oops!)! listened to jay's tunes since '94 and now my $ goes to seeing jay shows.
I was so transfixed on the Dead from '87 to '95 that I never turned my head for much else. Which coincidentally means I missed the Tupelo era, even when UT lovers were trying to convince me. Within the last 3 years (right around Sebastopol's release), I became almost as transfixed on Son Volt and Jay (and Bob Dylan). Can't get enough. Anyone else?....
I doubt it. TGD were never mentioned as an influence in anything I've ever read about Jay and UT. I think he may enjoy the muisic, but all indications are that he probably didn't.