Last year during Widespread Panic’s annual June pilgrimage to Red Rocks, I bore witness to a natural phenomenon so sublime, it will be emblazoned in my memory until my dying breath. An awe-inspiring lightning shower accompanied nearly the entirety of Saturday’s second set.

To most of us who really pay attention to the current state of music and journalism, it comes as no surprise when I say that the quality and quantity of genuinely good music news and coverage coming out of the major media outlets has diminished substantially over the last decade or more.  They tend to focus more on pop artists, movie stars, and political discourse rather than covering and featuring truly great music (as they once did). 

For the first time in the 19-year history of Gathering of the Vibes, the initial festival lineup was announced live and on stage, Saturday March 15, at New York’s legendary Capitol Theatre, in Port Chester, NY. John Fogerty, Widespread Panic, Umphrey’s McGee, Maceo Parker, moe., and Ziggy Marley are among the acts confirmed to appear.“John Fogerty is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, a living legend, and he’s been on our dream list for years,” remarks Ken Hays, festival founder. “Widespread Panic is another band that we’ve long sought to play at the Vibes.

Widespread Panic has just announced dates for their upcoming 2014 Summer Tour, which includes performances at some of the band’s fan favorite venues.  This year, Widespread Panic is excited to be joined on tour by some very special guests and friends.

Picking yourself up and dusting yourself off when you fall or continuing to keep getting it when times get hard, is the gist of this album from Todd Snider’s newly formed band the Hard Working Americans. Whether it is the accomplished musicians in the Hard Working Americans or the lyrics, you can find a pinch of many great bands within this group. A little Neil Young. Check. A little Black Crowes. Check. A little Arlo Guthrie. Check. A little Widespread Panic. Check.

The inaugural Phases Of The Moon Music + Art Festival is set to take place September 11-14 at the beautiful 3000 acre Kennekuk Country Park just outside Danville, IL. Phases Of The Moon is proud to announce Phase I of artists scheduled to perform at the first annual event.

Instead of sweating getting his wallet even fatter or having his name rolling off more folks’ tongues, Warren Haynes puts hammers, nails and efforts of kind-hearted, hard working Habitat for Humanity supporters where his guitar is to improve life for others. “Sweat Equity”, which simply means an individual needs to do for themselves and community to have the community return the favor is the driving force behind Haynes’ efforts.

How often is it that you are lucky enough to witness a brand new group of already legendary powerhouse musicians premier before a live audience? Maybe some are more fortunate than I, but last Friday at the Boulder Theatre was a first for me. Boulder audiences were fortunate enough to catch the premier performance of a brand new folk rock/Americana “super-group” Hardworking Americans.

Tuesday, Nov. 5, Widespread Panic took over South Beach's Fillmore Auditorium for a wild night of pure jams, not something you find every day in Miami. The usual South Beach goers were raided by an inflow of dedicated hippies, both old and young, uniting under one magical roof. Finally, the presence of Panic in this colorful city, it's been far too long for this Georgia native new to Miami.

Last night in Miami, Roosevelt Collier and the Bobby Lee Rodgers trio opened for Widespread Panic at the Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater.