Bluest Tape

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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This week, Jeff and Harvey welcome author and music historian Dr. Bob Beatty to discuss his book "Play All Night: Duane Allman and the Journey to Fillmore East" and explore the legacy of the Allman Brothers Band. Key discussion topics include:

• The historical significance of At Fillmore East and the high stakes surrounding its recording

• The concept of the Allman Brothers as "The People's Band" and how that identity evolved

• Discussion of various lineups and eras, including the Jack Pearson years

• Bruce Hampton's influence on the band and Southern music

• Deep dive into the Fillmore East recording sessions and the decision to include horns

• The band's struggles with studio recording vs. live performance

• Brief updates on upcoming shows at Atlantic City and recent Goose performances

Cultural Recommendations:

Bob: "Why The Beatles Matter" podcast by Sean Gaillard and "My Black Country" by Alice Randall

Harvey: "Complete Unknown" - Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothée Chalamet

Jeff: "American Primeval" on Netflix (with caveats) and NYT Connections game

Follow Bob Beatty:

Social media: @longlivetheABB

Website: longlivetheabb.com

Book: "Play All Night: Duane Allman and the Journey to Fillmore East" available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/0813069505

Upcoming livestream of Steel & Peaches on February 15th

Duration: 1 hour, 31 minutes

Next Week: Discussion of the upcoming Widespread Panic shows in Atlantic City

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Jeff and Harvey return for their second episode of 2024 to conduct their long-awaited Spring 1995 Widespread Panic tour draft.

Before the draft, they catch up on:

• Discussion of Harvey's recent duck and deer hunting adventures
• Preview of next week's guest, Dr. Bob Beatty, author of "Play All Night: Duane Allman and the Journey to Fillmore East"
• Recent recommendations including Goose's new music video and HBO's "The Pit"
• A brief discussion of Bob Dylan and favorite albums

The Draft: Harvey and Jeff each selected their top 5 shows from Widespread Panic's Spring 1995 tour. The picks included:

Harvey's Selections:

1. Las Vegas, NV - 5/20/95 (Huntridge Theater)
2. Jackson, MS - 5/14/95 (Jackson Zoo)
3. Ann Arbor, MI - 3/24/95 (Michigan Theater)
4. Austin, TX - 6/3/95 (The Backyard)
5. Las Vegas, NV - 5/19/95 (Huntridge Theater)

Jeff's Selections:

1. Valdosta, GA - 5/5/95 (Valdosta State University)
2. Orlando, FL - 5/2/95 (The Edge)
3. East Lansing, MI - 3/25/95 (MSU Auditorium)
4. Washington DC - 4/13/95 (Lisner Auditorium)
5. South Bend, IN - 3/23/95 (Stepan Center)

The episode includes detailed discussion of the performances, historical context, and personal connections to these shows, plus notes on missing recordings from the tour and fun facts about song placement patterns.

Duration: 1 hour, 21 minutes

Next Week: Guest interview with Dr. Bob Beatty discussing his book on Duane Allman and the Allman Brothers Band

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After a brief hiatus, Jeff and Harvey return to The Bluest Tape to catch up and look ahead to some exciting content. The duo discusses:

• Personal updates including Jeff's new role at the Sultana Disaster Museum and his new dog Maggie
• A comprehensive look at Widespread Panic's Spring 1995 tour, including:
• Notable openers like Jackopierce, From Good Homes, and Soul Hat
• Major song debuts including "Sleeping Man," "Great Old One By One," and "Radio Child"
• The return of classics like "Satisfied," "Pusherman," and "Dear Mr. Fantasy"
• Important media appearances on Conan O'Brien and Rockline
• The significant Las Vegas shows during the Grateful Dead run
• A discussion of the current jam band scene, focusing on Goose's meteoric rise and Billy Strings' arena-filling bluegrass
• Preview of next week's special Spring '95 show draft episode
• Call for guest suggestions for future episodes

Referenced Shows:

• Widespread Panic at Red Rocks 2023
• Goose at MEMPHO
• Billy Strings at FedEx Forum

Keywords

music, Panic, Goose, jam bands, concert, Spring 1995, personal updates, podcast, community, live music

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Harvey is joined by Sam Holt and we discuss his upcoming Remembering Mikey shows and he also shares an unheard demo of a Mike Houser original song "Without You." He also plays some classic tracks from the 2012 We Miss You Mikey show at the Georgia Theatre, featuring the Romper Stompers with Danny Hutchens and Todd Nance and Outformation featuring John Bell. And then we top it off with an uncirculated tape from June 18, 1992.

All in all, a fantastic episode with some truly memorable music.

Don't miss Sam Holt and Friends on the road:

August 8, 2024 at the Visulite Theater, Charlotte, NC

August 9, 2024 at the Pour House, Charleston, SC

August 10, 2024 at Terminal West, Atlanta, GA

Learn more and get tickets at https://www.samholtband.com/shows

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