Finishing up Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King at a New Orleans studio in early 2009, the band was able to incorporate much of the material LeRoi Moore had recorded during its 2008 sessions. “His death catalyzed the latest sea change in the band’s music,” said The New York Times while Rolling Stone awarded the album four stars.
Released on June 2, 2009, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200, making Dave Matthews Band one of only two groups in chart history to have five consecutive studio albums enter atop the chart. It was subsequently certified Platinum and nominated for two GRAMMY® Awards: Album Of The Year and Best Rock Album.
The band’s July 5, 2009 show in Lucca, Italy was captured on the three-CD set Europe 2009, which also featured the Across the Pond DVD from a show at London’s Brixton Academy. Other 2009 live releases included Volumes 14, 15 and 16 of the Live Trax series and downloads of four early 1990’s concerts.
In September, as what would have been LeRoi’s 48th birthday drew near, The LeRoi Moore Fund – established by Moore’s trust – announced its college scholarship program.
