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    Tim O'Brien, cofounder of the 1980’s Colorado-based band Hot Rize, is often credited with creating a contemporary hybrid of bluegrass by with blending a modern musical style with traditional bluegrass standards. His compositions and overall musical approach toward bluegrass have been strong influences on Phish’s own bluegrass stylings. Tim’s bluegrass originals with Hot Rize, in which he played the mandolin and sang lead vocal, plus those as a solo artist, have been played by bands such as Phish, Kathy Mattea and The New Grass Revival. Some of Tim's songs that have made it to the Phish stage are the fan-favorite “Nellie Kane,” as well as “Midnight on the Highway” and “Hold to a Dream.”
    Tim has twice appeared on the Phish stage. On 8/7/96 at Red Rocks he played the mandolin and sang lead vocals for “Hold to a Dream,” “99 Years” and “Doin’ My Time.” Three summers later, he joined in on 7/1/99 for “Beauty of My Dreams,” “Doin’ My Time,” “Roggae,” “Water in the Sky” and “Back on the Train.”