As a Deadhead, you probably already know that Jerry Garcia lost a sizable portion of his middle finger in a wood chopping accident, and most likely, you already know that he was in the army for nearly a year before being dishonorably discharged. But does anyone really know everything there is to know about Jerry? Curious, I dug a little deeper, and found some fun facts that really surprised me. Check out these little tidbits of Jerry Garcia trivia; you'll probably discover things about this talented musician you never knew!

For instance, did you know that Jerry once did a radio ad for Levi's jeans? Or that he did the musical and sound effects for the movie, “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”? He was also an artist, studying painting at the Art Institute in San Francisco. His first art exhibit was in California, at the Weir Gallery. Had you been there, back in 1991, you could have snagged a Jerry Garcia original for as little as $300! If only we could turn back time!

Another little-known fact about Jerry is that one of his earliest jobs before becoming a fabulous superstar and cultural icon was working out in the fields, picking beans and apricots. This I find particularly inspiring—you might have a lame job now, but in a few years...who knows?!

Also seldom discussed are Jerry's nicknames. “Captain Trips” makes perfect sense for obvious reasons, but I was surprised to find out that Sting, the lead singer of the Police, gave Jerry the moniker, “Father Christmas.” I guess he was a lot like Santa, come to think of it!

Jerry left us with quite a legacy, and quite a standard to live up to. His music and lifestyle continue to inspire everyday people like you and me to care, to love, to dream, to think. His life was indeed a strange trip; we just all wish it could have been a little longer!