So many years after the disbandment of Grateful Dead that in turn relocated tens of thousands of devoted tour followers to various other acts and bigger life purposes, folks still crave that familiar feeling that kept them on tour. It didn’t only come from the music that Garcia and the gang connected with so many people through, but the sense of community and thriving weirdness that expanded continuously over decades of different intersections.

If achieving a balance in diversity is a music festival’s key to success, then Dave Frey and Peter Shapiro have truly created the most dynamically integrated festival experience of all time. The Lockn’ Music Festival isn’t another colossal gathering from bandwagon fans there to see a couple of big name headliners mixed in with who-else-knows.

Tickets go on sale July 18th for Widespread Panic’s highly anticipated 2014 Fall Tour.  Along with the Fall tour, Widespread Panic is providing a myriad of unique opportunities to experience their music, including performances at Gathering of The Vibes Music Festival, Lockn’ Music Festival & Phases Of The Moon Music + Art Festival.

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.