2012 has been a transformational year for mankind. As I'm lying in bed drifting into sleep to the soundtrack of Jimi Hendrix's, 'Are You Experienced,' it dawns on me how similar the movements of 2012 have been to the concepts behind much of the music that transpired during the Summer of Love.

Perhaps at the most simple level musicians view it as their job to deliver the music their fans love them for and to put on a good, entertaining live performance. Beyond that however, making and performing music is about much more. For world jam rockers Rusted Root, this means a new devotion to consciousness, focus, and discovering the vibe and light of being for both themselves and their community of fans.

On Monday, Nov 19, The "EDM for Sandy Relief" benefit concert for the victims of Super Storm Sandy as well as The American Red Cross was held at the one and only Gramercy Theater.  NY based label Brooklyn Fire and NY based entertainment marketing & PR firm UG strategies collaborated with Live Nation and NY based GBH Events to make sure the city that never sleeps truly didn't sleep.  The benefit was also home to a food and clothing drive for the

46 years after his first recorded Success, Mighty Sam McClain continues to bring the funk, the soul and the ‘tude with his latest album, “Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey).” Along with the musical talents of his guitarist, Pat Herlehy, the duo creates rhythm and blues flowing through his songs with powerful messages behind each.Sticking true to the name of the album, a religious theme underlies several songs. This comes as no surprise to his fans as Sam grew up in Louisiana singing Gospel  in his Mother’s church by age 5.

With 2012 wrapping up shortly and 2013 on the horizon, the future looks incredibly bright for 23-year-old music producer Christian Bauhofer, better known as Minnesota.

Folks in the Northwest Arkansas area...a wonderful experience awaits you. Be sure to dust off your creativity hats and your dancing pants, because Keller Williams is coming to George’s Majestic Lounge! (On Thursday, November 29, 2012.)

Dear Strange Arrangement,Your Pre-Thanksgiving day bash is going to be off the hook.  I know this because I’m still toasty from the sweater of love you gifted me from your last Park West show in January.  The sassy sweaty sexy highway has been driving me through 2012.  When I count my Thanksgiving blessings I count you 3 xs! Chicago Farmer! Greensky!

Small venues are a mixed bag. Maybe it’s due to the prevalence of festivals popping up over the land or just the trend of me attending more concerts in larger venues, but smaller venues don’t sound quite as good as they did before. Don’t get me wrong, Cafe du Nord is a wonderful place. As mentioned before, it’s a really charming former speakeasy, but its’ intimacy is a gift and a curse. Tuesday’s Generationals show was a perfect example for why this is so.

When Papadosio took over the Fox Theatre Thursday night and turned it into a hypnotic display of light, sound and video projections, the crowd and band both knew that something special was in store. This was documented at the end of the show when lead guitarist Anthony Thogmartin called Colorado a second home for the band to mass cheers and rooster crows.