"The Bluest Tape #140: Sharing in the Groove with Mike Ayers - Part One"

In episode 140 of The Bluest Tape, hosts Harvey Couch and Jeff Kollath sit down with author Mike Ayers to discuss his new book "Sharing in the Groove," which chronicles the jam band scene from the mid-1980s through 1999. This is part one of a two-part interview.

Topics Discussed:

• Harvey's upcoming Goose shows at the Palace in Louisville (episode recorded on the eve of the concerts)
• Confirmed plans for Harvey and Jeff to attend Mempho Fest together - their first Widespread Panic show together
• Mike Ayers' personal journey into the jam band scene starting with the Grateful Dead in '93, Phish in '94, and Panic shortly after
• The organic growth of the scene through different regional hubs: Vermont (Phish), New York City (Blues Traveler, Spin Doctors, God Street Wine), and the South (Widespread Panic, ARU)

Book Discussion Highlights:

• Why the book ends at New Year's 1999/Y2K as a natural bookend to the decade
• The "Island of Misfit Toys" philosophy - bands that didn't fit the traditional music industry mold but built devoted followings
• How bands circumvented traditional pathways (radio, MTV, Tower Records) through touring, taping culture, and word of mouth
• Bill Graham's crucial early support of Blues Traveler, getting them on bills with Allmans and Jerry Garcia Band

Key Insights from Mike:

• Record labels judged success on album sales when these bands' strength was live performance
• Spin Doctors' "Pocket Full of Kryptonite" was out 9 months before label support, sparked by a Vermont radio programmer's letter
• The DIY mentality was "very punk rock" - bands just did it, stringing together tours creatively

College Scene Analysis:

• Fraternities booking bands with substantial budgets ($5,000-$10,000 per show)
• Universities had "use it or lose it" booking budgets that bands strategically targeted
• Bands would route tours mixing bars, frat houses, random quads, and small venues

Upcoming:

• Part two of the Mike Ayers interview in the next episode
• Mempho Fest coverage with both hosts attending

Recommendations:

• Harvey: Truckin' 76: The Big Rig Adventure Game - a board game recreation of Smokey and the Bandit - www.plaay.com
• Jeff: "The Runarounds" on Amazon Prime - teen band drama with great power pop soundtrack and classic rock references
• Primary Recommendation: "Sharing in the Groove" by Mike Ayers

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In episode 139 of The Bluest Tape, hosts Harvey Couch and Jeff Kollath welcome back friend of the pod Sam Holt for a deep dive into the legendary Summer 1995 tour, complete with a snake draft of their favorite shows and Sam shares some insider stories from crew member Chris Rabold.

Topics Discussed:

• Sam's recent tour with JoJo Hermann in Colorado (Winter Park and Denver at Ophelia's) with full band setup
• Upcoming Sam Holt Band shows: August 7-9 weekend and Charleston/Athens dates
• The evolution of setlist creation in 1995 - when Widespread Panic figured out the art of pacing and dynamics
• Technical discussion of Mike Houser's rig: Soldano head with Mesa Boogie cabinet combination
• Wrestling talk including AEW's current success and classic matches from the territories
• Summer '95 tour context: 22 shows from Minneapolis church steps to Toledo quarry

Technical Insights from Sam:

• Mike Houser's guitar setup evolution
• Setlist creation process with Mike having the biggest hand in writing them down
• Stories of guest guitarists playing Mike's guitars (Warren Haynes, J.J. Cale, Eric Carter)
• The infamous Alpine Valley show opening for Bob Dylan and Phil Lesh

Community Support:

• Shoutout to JT Lucasi of Home Team Graphics who lost his shop in recent North Carolina flooding
• GoFundMe and auction efforts to support JT's recovery

Show Highlights to Check Out:

• 7/29/95 Jackson Hole radio show with JB's solo acoustic Hatfield rap
• 7/22/00 Columbus "parking lot show" at Brewery District Pavilion

Recommendations:

• Wrestling: "Queen of the Ring" Mildred Burke biopic featuring Jim Cornette
• Music: Any of the drafted Summer '95 shows for prime examples of the band's evolution

Episode Closer:

• Space Wrangler encore from 7/28/95 Park City, Utah (Wolf Mountain)

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Recording on July 7th, 2025, hosts Harvey Couch and Jeff Kollath cover Harvey's emotional Red Rocks experience, updates on the post-Panicstream landscape, and their continued exploration of the evolving jam band scene.

Topics Discussed:

• Jeff's recent Wisconsin trip and encounter with friend of the pod Marq Spusta
• Jeff's review of Eggy at Overton Park Shell in Memphis - comparing them to "5/8ths speed Phish" with surprisingly slow guitar work
• Major update on Home Team FM taking over Panic show streaming, sourcing music directly from the Archive.org instead of compressed MP3s
• Harvey's third Sunday-only Red Rocks experience, getting emotional during "Wonderin" and "Last Straw"
• Detailed breakdown of Red Rocks setlist featuring Chuck Leavell's guest appearance and the debut of "Comfortably Numb"
• The band's 75th show milestone at Red Rocks and Ted Rockwell's effusive praise for the Jessica from night two
• Discussion of Billy Strings show at Rupp Arena and the Dead-like scene surrounding his tours

Red Rocks Show Highlights:

• First set: Driving Song > Pilgrims > Driving Song, Wrangler
• Second set: Pigeons > Pleas, Conrad, Dead Flowers (Stones cover with Chuck Leavell), Ribs and Whiskey, Surprise Valley > Tie Your Shoes > Surprise Valley
• Encore: Comfortably Numb (Pink Floyd debut), End of the Show

Technical Updates:

• Home Team FM now streams panic shows with lossless audio sourced from Archive.org
• Multiple source options available for new shows
• 24/7 live radio stream featuring panic influences and live material

Personal Moments:

• Harvey's emotional reaction to the "mass of humanity" visible from Red Rocks upper seats
• Meeting Ted and Lisa Rockwell in line before the show
• Reconnecting with Georgia friends and their 21-year-old daughter who's now a touring companion
• Harvey's youngest son insisting on going to Billy Strings after missing the emotional first night

Recommendations:

• Jeff: Agitation Free (German kraut ock band from 1975) - "if you like the Dead, Allmans, Phish, this is right up your alley"
• Harvey: Jakob Berger - TikTok baseball announcer impersonation channel https://linktr.ee/jakobberger

Archive News:

• New official release: Murfreesboro 4/28/01 from the crew era

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In this early summer edition of The Bluest Tape, hosts Harvey Couch and Jeff Kollath discuss their recent Goose experiences, address significant news in the Widespread Panic community, and share insights about the evolving jam band scene.

Topics Discussed:

• Summer camp activities for the kids and Harvey's upcoming Red Rocks trip (Sunday show - their 75th performance at the venue)
• Major news about PanicStream's founder being arrested in a multi-agency sting operation and the community's response
• Emergence of new platforms like Home Team FM to fill the void left by Panic Stream
• Jeff's experience at Goose's show at The Factory in Chesterfield, Missouri, including unexpected crowd demographics
• Harvey's family trip to see Goose in Indianapolis at Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
• Analysis of Goose as both an entry point and comfortable destination for jam band fans
• Discussion of how Goose's approach to covers appeals to their audience demographic
• Reflections on seeing bands in their ascendancy versus established legacy acts

Goose Show Highlights:

• St. Louis: Mississippi Half-Step cover, BMW and suburbs observations, hippie pep talk about living life with no regrets
• Indianapolis: "Give a Time" for the kids, Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" cover, fantastic "Tumble" closer that had Harvey's youngest son hooting and hollering while recording with his phone

Venue Reviews:

• The Factory in Chesterfield: Premium entertainment destination with Four Hands Brewery, Top Golf, and excellent amenities
• Everwise Amphitheater: Great outdoor venue in White River State Park where Widespread Panic will play in August

Community News:

• Discussion of the importance of decentralized archives and community-driven preservation efforts
• Comparison to other bands' approaches to their musical archives

Personal Moments:

• Jeff's encounter with the helpful hippie: "You got to live life with no regrets, man"
• Harvey's son getting his first face-melting moment during "Tumble"
• Family trip to Dot's Tavern in Wisconsin, established 1948

Recommendations:

• Harvey: Ocean Gate documentaries (Netflix version preferred over Max)
• Jeff: Continued Karen Reed trial coverage (NOT GUILTY!)

Closing Tunes:

• June 18, 1996 show from Zoo Theater in Cincinnati featuring "Sleepy Monkey > Airplane" and "Do What You Like"

Notable Quotes:

• "You got to get into it, man. Put that down and get up... You got to live life with no regrets." - Random hippie to Jeff at Goose show
• "It's much more of a blank slate than what panic is, than what fish is." - Jeff on Goose's appeal
• "There wasn't a point during the goose show where it's like, there's no point in this." - Jeff comparing to other jam bands

The episode explores themes of community, generational change in music scenes, and the comfort found in discovering new bands while maintaining connections to longtime favorites.

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In episode 136 of The Bluest Tape, hosts Harvey Couch and Jeff Kollath discuss summer activities, recap Widespread Panic's recent Chicago shows, and share a detailed interview with legendary taper Charles Fox recorded several weeks prior.

Topics Discussed:

• Summer plans including family camps and upcoming Goose shows in Indianapolis and St. Louis
• Detailed recap of Widespread Panic's three-night run in Chicago featuring guest appearances by Billy Strings and Jerry Joseph
• Jeff's deep dive into George McConnell-era shows, specifically a 2003 Tallahassee performance, and reflections on that transitional period
• Analysis of how the George era might have been viewed differently if it had been shorter
• Discussion of current ticket prices and venue challenges at Chicago shows
• Tribute to Sly Stone, who passed away recently

Charles Fox Interview Highlights:

• Charles's evolution from DAT trading in college to becoming one of the premier audience tapers in the scene
• Technical discussion of recording equipment, from Shep's tube microphones to modern Sound Devices recorders
• The importance of positioning and the "sweet spot" for optimal recording quality
• How taper wives play a crucial support role in protecting equipment and managing crowds
• Stories from memorable recording experiences, including sneaking gear into Rolling Stones and Jazz Fest shows
• His approach to distribution via Archive.org and maintaining multiple backup copies
• Introduction of his teenage son to the taping world

Technical Gear Discussion:

• Evolution from external preamps and DAT recorders to integrated Sound Devices units
• Benefits of 32-bit recording and modern windscreen technology
• The art of discrete recording for venues that don't allow taping

Recommendations:

• Harvey: Karen Reed trial coverage
• Jeff: "90 Day Hunt for Love" reality show

Notable Quotes:

• "When this show starts and they start playing Chilly, I don't know how many people were in that venue, but it's there were like 25,000 fucking people in that. Like, they lost their gourds." - Jeff on the energy of 2003 shows
• "I don't know how they could be any better than they're currently playing right now." - Charles Fox on the current state of Widespread Panic
• "Sometimes you think it doesn't get better, but it's gotten smaller, it's gotten better sound." - Charles Fox on recording technology evolution
• "I usually have a kind of a scale, you know, where I recorded in Nashville, I probably have this similar game to start with at the first night of Charleston." - Charles Fox on his recording approach

The episode showcases the deep technical knowledge and dedication of the taping community while providing insight into both the current state of Widespread Panic and reflection on the band's transitional periods.

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In episode 135 of The Bluest Tape, hosts Harvey Couch and Jeff Kollath catch up on recent Widespread Panic performances, share their revelation about audience tapes, and host a special segment with Mike McClure (IG @guesstheyearshow) from the "Guess the Year" podcast.

Topics Discussed:

• Recent Widespread Panic shows at Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville, featuring guest appearances by Daniel Donato and Jarrod Walker
• The revelation that Charles Fox's audience recordings provide a superior listening experience compared to soundboard recordings
• Announcement of Widespread Panic headlining Mempho Festival in Memphis this October with Father John Misty, Leftover Salmon, Galactic, and other notable acts
• Harvey's experience seeing My Morning Jacket during their five-night residency at the Palace in Louisville
• Jeff's proposal to find and discuss the top five Widespread Panic shows from each era of the band
• New music releases including Goose's latest album and Widespread Panic's Athens '98 release
• A discussion about the Sphere venue in Las Vegas and concert experiences there

Guest Segment:

• Mike McClure from the "Guess the Year" podcast joins to discuss Grateful Dead fandom, music eras, and the art of discerning years by sound
• A friendly competition where Harvey and Jeff try to identify the years of three Grateful Dead performances
• Discussion of the crossover between Grateful Dead and Widespread Panic fans
• Insights into the evolution of the Grateful Dead's sound through different eras

Recommendations:

• Jeff: McKay's used media stores in Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga - https://www.mckaybooks.com
• Harvey: "Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kid Influencing" documentary on Netflix - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ6H2QyeWAE
• Mike: Nick Paumgarten's article "A Fan's Notes on the Super Bowl" in The New Yorker - https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/03/10/a-fans-notes-on-the-spectacle-of-super-bowl-week

Upcoming Guests:

• Marq Spusta, Widespread Panic poster artist who created artwork for their latest album and singles

Notable Quotes:

• "I had a breakthrough on listening to this era of widespread panic... it's audience tapes." - Jeff on the superior sound quality of Charles Fox's recordings
• "Let's start to compile a list of the five best shows in each era of the band." - Jeff proposing a new segment for future episodes
• "The search for those moments is why we do this, why we follow bands around the country." - Harvey on the thrill of live music experiences

Follow The Bluest Tape on social media for updates on upcoming episodes and guest appearances.

Links:

Guess the Year: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/guess-the-year/id1649273235

BT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BluestTapePodcast/

BT Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bluesttape9773

BT IG: https://www.instagram.com/bluesttapepodcast/

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In episode 134 of The Bluest Tape, hosts Harvey Couch and Jeff Kolath welcome a special guest with deep connections to Widespread Panic history - mandolin player Matt Mundy, formerly of the Aquarium Rescue Unit and the musician who played on Panic's "Pickin' Up The Pieces."

Topics Discussed:

• Matt's musical journey from his bluegrass upbringing to joining Colonel Bruce Hampton's Aquarium Rescue Unit
• The story behind Matt's mandolin playing on Widespread Panic's "Picking Up The Pieces"
• Recollections of the early days with ARU and being part of the Capricorn Records roster in the 1990s
• Matt's experiences on the H.O.R.D.E. festival tours in 1992-93, including the legendary collaborative jams between bands
• What it was like to rejoin Widespread Panic on stage at the Fox Theatre in 2022 after a nearly 30-year absence
• Memories of playing with Jimmy Herring and Michael Houser
• Matt's bluegrass roots, his family's musical history, and the Louisville and Lexingtoni Holiday Inn circuit where his parents performed alongside future stars like Tony Rice and Ricky Skaggs
• His current musical projects, including an upcoming album featuring his mother on bass and a mix of bluegrass and swing tunes

Guest Info:

• Matt Mundy - Former mandolin player for Aquarium Rescue Unit who has played with Widespread Panic numerous times, including a session on "Pickin' Up The Pieces." He continues to perform bluegrass music and is currently working on a new album with his family.

Musical Influences Mentioned:

• David Grisman, Sam Bush, Colonel Bruce Hampton, Bobby Osborne
• The Louisville bluegrass scene featuring JD Crowe, Tony Rice, and Ricky Skaggs

Hosts' Recommendations:

• Harvey: "Adolescence" on Netflix - a four-episode drama filmed in single takes
• Jeff: The first four songs of Jason Isbell's new album (with mixed feelings about the rest)

Notable Quotes:

• "I gig quite a bit, but I've held a day job for years... Music's a lot of fun, but there's very few mandolin players in your square mile that earn a living." - Matt Mundy
• "Bluegrass has been in my life all my life... Still I'm playing bluegrass music. I started when I was probably 11. It bit me a little bit right in there." - Matt Mundy
• "You're basically just doing it to have a record, a record of something... It's not to make money. It's not to promote a tour. It's just to do, and we have a studio, so why not?" - Matt Mundy on recording his new album

At the end of the episode, listeners are treated to two new unreleased tracks from Matt's upcoming album, "Flatt Lonesome" and "Island Hop"

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On episode 133 of The Bluest Tape, hosts Harvey Couch and Jeff Kollath catch up on recent Widespread Panic shows in St. Augustine before welcoming special guest Mitchell Davis, member of the Widespread Panic preservation band 54 Bicycles and founder of the Million Memory Project.

Topics Discussed:

• Highlights from Widespread Panic's recent St. Augustine run, including standout openers and encore performances
• Discussion of My Morning Jacket's new album "is" and their longevity in the music scene
• Mitchell's introduction to Widespread Panic at Greenstreets in 1990 and how it changed his musical trajectory
• The founding and philosophy behind 54 Bicycles, which Mitchell describes as "preservation work" rather than tribute
• The challenges and joys of playing Panic songs and gaining new appreciation for less-familiar tracks
• Mitchell's work with the Million Memory Project and his focus on preserving community stories
• The importance of audience taping and music documentation in the digital streaming era
• Discussion of Mitchell's Rarebird Farm venue and the vibrant old-time music scene in Madison County, NC
• Reflections on the long-term recovery from hurricane damage in Marshall and Hot Springs, NC

Guest Info:

• Mitchell Davis - Member of 54 Bicycles (Widespread Panic preservation band), founder of the Million Memory Project, and host of music events at Rarebird Farm near Asheville, NC

Upcoming Events Mentioned:

• Tiny Festivals at Rarebird Farm (May 2-3, plus June and October dates) featuring old-time musicians and reinterpreters of traditional music
• Nashville shows for Widespread Panic

Notable Quotes:

• "I compare it more to when composers in the 16th and 17th century started writing music and they could notate it and debut it in Vienna. And then if you had a set of musicians good enough, you could recreate that experience for people who couldn't get to Vienna." - Mitchell Davis on preservation vs. tribute
• "One of the hardest things I've faced in my career working with military veterans and musicians is the concept of memory on the whole and passage of time and things becoming fuzzy over the course of years." - Jeff Kolath

Outro Music:

Weight of the World*, 54 Bicycles, The Charleston Pour House, 6/7/2024

*- with Andy Masker [saxophone] and Patrick Marzett [trumpet] [Illazilla]

Follow The Bluest Tape on social media for information about upcoming episodes.

Twitter - @bluesttape

Facebook - @BluestTapePodcast

Instagram - @bluesttapepodcast

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In episode 132 of The Bluest Tape, hosts Harvey Couch, Jeff Kolath, and guest Sam Holt catch up on recent adventures, share stories from the road, and dive into music memories, wrestling nostalgia, and March Madness predictions.

Topics Discussed:

• Jeff recaps his experience at the "In Memory of Dickie Betts" show at Macon City Auditorium
• Sam Holt shares updates on upcoming shows in Asheville (March 28 at The Grey Eagle) and Charleston (March 29 at Pour House) for "Sam Holt Band Presents Remembering Mikey and Todd"
• Discussion of all-star tribute shows and their dynamics from a musician's perspective
• Memories of Widespread Panic's Spring 1995 tour, with Sam sharing stories of traveling to shows with friends
• Randolph-Macon College soundboard recording from 4/22/95 and other standout shows from that era
• Extended wrestling talk featuring Memphis wrestling legends Dave Brown and Lance Russell. Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTS3JDUwzD0
• Jeff and Harvey's March Madness bracket predictions, with both picking Houston vs Florida in the finals

Guest Info:

• Sam Holt (guitarist) discusses upcoming shows, touring with JoJo Hermann in July, and shares stories from his time on the road

Recommendations:

• Sam: Alice in Chains discography and Jim Cornette's wrestling podcasts
• Jeff: Suss (ambient country band) performing with Immersion at Crosstown Arts
• Harvey: Dawes performance at the Grammy Awards and the Gabby Petito documentary on Netflix

Notable Quotes:

• "That's why we do these things. That's why we drive to Macon, Georgia and spend a bunch of money to go see the bands and the music you love." - Jeff on seeing magical concert moments
• "We've lived through some incredibly cool experiences together. And we still like on those days text each other and be like, you know, do you remember where we were 30 years ago today." - Sam on music friendships

Follow The Bluest Tape on social media and streaming platforms for more episodes examining classic live performances and music culture.

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In this episode, recorded in late February 2024, Harvey and Jeff catch up after Widespread Panic's return to the stage in Atlantic City.

Topics include:

• Brief highlights from the three-night Atlantic City run, including notable songs and special guests Jason Crosby on fiddle and John Keane on guitar/pedal steel
• Discussion of the recently announced 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees, including Phish, The Black Crowes, Oasis, Mariah Carey, and others
• Breaking news about the upcoming demolition of Oak Mountain Amphitheater in Alabama and reflections on memorable Widespread Panic shows at the venue
• The summer festival lineup for Bourbon & Beyond, featuring a "cavalcade of 90s" bands
• A look ahead to Harvey's upcoming Mardi Gras trip to New Orleans with family
• Cultural recommendations:
• Jeff: The Parlor Greens (jazz organ trio featuring former guitarist from Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio)
• Harvey: "Guess the Year" podcast (Grateful Dead trivia game show)

Note: This episode was recorded in late February 2024 but released in March.

Next episode: Stay tuned for upcoming guest appearances in future episodes!

Duration: Approximately 55 minutes

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