Synopsis

Peter Jones, Sr. came into the town of Cumberland, MD, with two dollars in his pocket and not a friend in the world. By the time the first night ended, Jones had found a poker game and won a mining claim, hotel, general store, and a tavern. Now, all these years later, all he has left is the Palace Hotel, the Mine, and two estranged sons. The years of working with coal has given Jones a case of Black Lung and a date with the grave. With what time he has left, Jones desires one last chance at reconciliation with his sons, Pete Jr. and Mick. Word of Jones’s failing health is music to the ears of Jesse Steel, the region’s most influential, and infamous mine owner. It was from Jesse’s father that Jones won the claim all those years ago.



Pete Jr. left Cumberland for no other reason than the town was too small for he and his father to live, and that he didn’t want to work his whole life underground. When Pete Jr. left, he broke the heart of his childhood sweetheart, Mindy. Even though Pete Jr. was out of sight, Mindy never stopped loving him. Now, with Pete Jr. being called back to town, Mindy will rekindle their youthful, true love.

Mick was trouble from the day he was born. Now a drifter with a real dark side, and a wide open heart for liquor, ladies, and dice, is also returning to Cumberland, bent on getting his fair share of the Cumberland Mine. Mick’s only concern is a woman he, too, left behind; the untamable Bertha McKellan.

The family reunion comes crashing down when old passions and conflicts boil to the surface and are left with the sudden death of Jones. Now all attention turns to Jones’s will and the ultimate ownership of the Palace Hotel and Cumberland Mine. Unable to decide which son should take over, Jones left all ownership to be settled in an all night, winner-take-all poker game open to all family and employees associated with the business.

The twenty song score by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter include “Friend of the Devil”, “High Time”, “Attics of My Life”, “Touch of Gray”, “Easy Wind”, “I Will Love You”, “He’s Gone”, “Deal”, “Loser”, “Mad”, “Brown Eyed Women”, “Boys In The Barroom”, “Drunkard’s Carol”, “Bertha”, “Black Peter”, “When Push Comes To Shove”, “Cumberland Blues”, “Candyman”, “Brokedown Palace”, and “Box of Rain”.