In episode 144, hosts Harvey Couch and Jeff Kollath recap Widespread Panic's three-night New Year's run at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta (December 29-31, 2024) while addressing news that broke after recording: Jimmy Herring's health issues and Nick Johnson stepping in as guitarist.

Episode recorded January 6th, before Thursday's announcement about Jimmy being unable to tour. Nick Johnson confirmed as touring guitarist.

Billy Strings' Statement: Billy revealed he was on standby for New Year's: "I came ready to play as much or as little as they needed me... Jimmy absolutely killed it... Nick Johnson is an absolute monster on the guitar and will handle the reins until Gandalf the Loud can get back in the saddle."

Night 1 - December 29:

• Billy joined for final portion of second set
• Fishwater > Surprise Valley > Fishwater with tempo changes
• Jimmy and Billy "played around each other" rather than traditional call-and-response

Night 2 - December 30:

• Dark and heavy second set theme
• Jeff's critique: "Jack doesn't work in that second set spot"
• 17-minute Second Skin featured "slinky bass intro" from Schools

Night 3 - New Year's Eve:

• Don't Be Denied acoustic: poignant as always
• NICK JOHNSON DEBUT: Ribs and Whiskey, Tall Boy, Diner - "acquitted himself very well"
• War Pigs: Only second time ever played
• Paranoid: Third time ever (Halloween '87, Halloween '16, NYE '25)
• DISCO HIGHLIGHT: 11-minute version "right up there" with greatest ever

Background: Atlanta-based guitarist, played with Colonel Bruce Hampton, close friends with Duane Trucks

Host Reactions:

• Harvey: hopes Nick "crushes it"
• Jeff: "Curious" about stage presence and gear setup
• Jeff's wishlist: "I hope Nick refuses to play Cosmic Confidante and puts Stop-Go on his must-play list"

Riviera Maya (Jan), Austin (Feb), St. Augustine (Mar), Birmingham (Apr), Jazz Fest, Las Vegas (May), All Good Now Festival (June)

Jeff:

• "I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not" (CNN documentary)
• Allman Betts Family Revival Tour clips with Amanda Shires (Nuggs/YouTube)

Harvey:

• "A Year with C.S. Lewis" daily readings book
• Dry January with non-alcoholic Lagunitas IPAs

• "That's why you stick around to the end. You never saw anything like the other night." - Jeff
• "The one thing Billy Strings doesn't need is to join Widespread Panic." - Jeff

Episode recorded on Mike Houser's birthday (January 6th).

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This week, The Bluest Tape takes a trip through the looking glass — and down the rabbit hole — for a Halloween recap that’s as musically rich as it is delightfully strange. Harvey and Jeff reconnect fresh off a Memphis weekend for Jeff’s son’s bar mitzvah (with a party at Dr. Nick’s House, no less — yes, that Dr. Nick, Elvis’s doctor!) before diving headfirst into the latest Widespread Panic Halloween blowout.

From Elvis lore and raccoon etiquette to Panic’s fully realized Alice in Wonderland–themed Halloween show in Savannah, this episode covers everything from family milestones to jam-band mythmaking. The guys are joined by longtime Panic fan and writer Aaron Stein, who authored the viral fan essay decoding the literary and lyrical threads behind the band’s 2025 Halloween setlist.

Before Aaron joins, Harvey and Jeff share stories from Harvey's Memphis trip — Jeff’s son’s bar mitzvah, the legendary Dr. Nick house party (complete with a racquetball court, Elvis pinball machine, and polite raccoons), and a mix of fall show chatter.

There’s plenty of Halloween talk too — Billy Strings’ marathon sets, Goose’s Hulaween appearance, and the perennial joy of jam bands leaning into the spooky and surreal.

Then comes the deep dive with Aaron Stein, a veteran of the Spreadnet era who returned to the Panic fold and penned a scene-stealing breakdown of the Alice in Wonderland set. Together, they unpack how nearly every song choice — from Gradle to Free Somehow — fit the story arc with uncanny precision.

Highlights from the conversation include:

• How Panic built an immersive Alice in Wonderland world, complete with mushrooms, teapots, costumed rabbits, and trippy transitions
• The brilliance of subtle choices like Impossible, You Should Be Glad, and Free Somehow — each lyrically tied to Alice’s journey
• White Rabbit as the show’s recurring motif, threading through the night before finally exploding in full at the end
• Easter eggs galore — from Who Are You to Greta > Conrad
• The rare and fitting bust-outs (Free Somehow, Crazy, Riders on the Storm) that deepened the theme
• And, of course, that perfect finale: Red Hot Mama > White Rabbit > Red Hot Mama — the Queen of Hearts brought to life, Savannah-style

Throughout, the guys and Aaron trade memories of past Halloween themes (Wizard of Oz, Dreams) and marvel at the band’s growing intentionality — how Panic has turned their Halloween tradition into a full-blown art form.

• Aaron Stein’s “Alice in Wonderland” Set Narrative: Panic Halloween Breakdown PDF
• Widespread Panic official site: https://widespreadpanic.com/
• Everyday Companion (setlist archive): http://www.everydaycompanion.com/
• Hometeam.fm (live recordings & streams): https://hometeam.fm/

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Welcome back to The Bluest Tape! Fall energy is officially here — crisp nights, cozy vibes, and plenty of Panic talk to warm the soul. This week, Harvey and Jeff kick things off by recapping the latest runs, setlists, and seasonal show anticipation before diving back into our conversation with author and longtime jam-scene journalist Mike Ayers, discussing his book Sharing the Groove.

If you missed part one, go hit Episode 140 first — then come right back, because this second half is loaded. Mike re-joins us at 01:05:24, and we pick up right where we left off: deep in the world of 90s jam bands, scene lore, the post-Dead landscape, and the obsessive joy of tape culture and musical memory.

Harvey and Jeff start the episode catching up on fall shows, livestream moments, and that annual Milwaukee magic. There’s talk of setlist arcs, covers popping up in unexpected spots, and where the band is vibing right now.

We get some fun reflections on recent Panic runs — great weather, great crowds, and that uniquely kind Milwaukee energy that always shows up strong. There’s also some speculation on Halloween in Savannah: costumes? themes? the eternal Red Hot Mama debate? It’s all on the table.

A little life update too — travel plans, kids growing up (shoutout to the bar mitzvah planning energy), and juggling the very real jam-fan calendar vs. parent calendar thing. We feel that one.

Once Mike rolls in, the conversation opens up into:

• Why the early 90s jam moment felt lightning-in-a-bottle
• How mainstream labels never quite knew what to do with bands who built real communities instead of singles
• Scenes inside scenes — from Panic to God Street Wine to Hatters to acoustic hookah??
• The emotional fabric of traveling for music, and why that heartbeat still matters
• Tape culture as a living archive, not just nostalgia
• Why Mexico runs, Milwaukee pilgrimages, and small historic rooms like the Cap still feel sacred

Mike reflects on the jam world’s past and future, drops a few theories (some sentimental, some spicy), and reminds us why this music still pulls us in decades deep. The band-to-fan-to-place connection? Still unbeatable.

By the end, we’re swapping Dave Matthews memories, laughing at our own encyclopedic pre-2000 Panic knowledge, and loving every minute of the trip down memory lane.

Widespread Panic (official site)

https://widespreadpanic.com/

HomeTeam.FM (live show archive / stream hub)

https://hometeam.fm/

Everyday Companion (setlist archive)

http://www.everydaycompanion.com/

Mike Ayers — Sharing the Groove

https://www.sharingthegroove.com/

Nugs.net (official live recordings)

https://www.nugs.net/widespread-panic/

"From the Earth to the Moon" film reference

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_the_Earth_to_the_Moon_(miniseries)

We’ve got a Fall ‘95 deep-dive cooking with a special guest — and yes, Jeff has been waiting for this one. Stay tuned, and get your tier lists ready.

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Welcome back to The Bluest Tape! Harvey and Jeff reconnect in person for a full weekend of sunshine, vinyl, and jams at the 2025 Mempho Music Festival in Memphis. It’s three days of good vibes, great music, and plenty of Widespread Panic talk — naturally.

The guys recap the whole weekend, from playtesting board games and record store digs to festival logistics (plenty of shade, smooth entry, and top-tier po’boys). Then it’s on to the main event: two nights of Widespread Panic at the Radian Amphitheater, where the Friday night opener “Disco > Please > Love Tractor” set the tone and Saturday delivered both highlights and head-scratchers. There’s talk of setlist flow, surprise guests, and the Friday night “JoJo shirt incident”, which earns its own award for “Most Distracting Wardrobe Choice.”

A special moment arrives midway through the episode with The Bluest Tape’s youngest-ever correspondent — Jeff’s six-year-old son, Ellison — sharing his unfiltered review of The Pharcyde’s set (“there was a lot of cursing”) and his favorite moments from the day.

The hosts also cover standout sets from Mavis Staples, Flaming Lips, Lucas Nelson & Promise of the Real, and Tyler Childers, swap favorite t-shirt sightings (Tipitina’s shirts everywhere), and share a great run-in with a longtime Bluest Tape listener during set break. As always, they dive into stats, repeats, and Everyday Companion analysis — all while looking ahead to the next Panic runs.

And stay tuned — Part 2 of our interview with Mike Ayers is coming in the next episode!

Episode Highlights

• Full 2025 Mempho Festival recap and logistics review
• Friday and Saturday Widespread Panic setlist breakdowns
• The “JoJo shirt incident” and other onstage observations
• Guest appearance: Jeff’s son Ellison reviews The Pharcyde
• Mavis, Flaming Lips, Lucas Nelson, and Tyler Childers highlights
• Stats corner: repeats, setlist structure, and Panic trends
• Favorite fan t-shirts and merch finds

Show Links

• 🎶 Mempho Music Festival
• 🎸 Widespread Panic
• 📖 Everyday Companion Setlist Archive
• 🗞 Part 1 of the Mike Ayers Interview (Previous Episode) (Part 2 coming soon!)
• 📍 Tipitina’s New Orleans

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"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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