Got a ton of Grateful Dead recordings and no one to share them with? We all need like-minded friends, and with Jerry long gone, you might have to look a little deeper than the lot to find them. If you feel like a stranger, don't despair; with a little research and a little effort, it's easy to meet other Deadheads in your area and make new friends. Here's how.

First, check out social networking sites like www.meetup.com . This website offers many clubs and groups that meet in person locally, and you can search the site for your location and topic of interest. A search for Grateful Dead meetup groups near Denver, Colorado yielded three results: Boulder Hippies, Jam Band Musicians, and Nowhere You Are. If you live near Los Angeles, California, check out Los Angeles Grateful Dead Night. For New Yorkers, there are lots of options: Grateful Dead Acoustic Jam, Workingman's Dead Jam, Sidetrips, and Single Deadheads. Even if you live in an out of the way place, there might very well be an existing group in your area. If there's not, consider starting one; surely you're not the only Deadhead in town who could use a few more laid-back friends!

If you're not able to attend an in-person social club, consider joining an online forum to stay connected. There are lots of Grateful Dead fan groups on facebook and Twitter, and you can also check out www.dead.net , an active discussion forum where you can chat with other Dead fans around the world.

Grateful Dead music was meant to be enjoyed in the company of friendly souls; know that you have something special to offer any social group, be confident, grab some old Dead cds, and get out there and meet your family!