Bluest Tape

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 SpustaJeff's review of Eggy at Overton Park Shell in Memphis - comparing them to "5/8ths speed Phish" with surprisingly slow guitar workMajor update on Home Team FM taking over Panic show streaming, sourcing music directly from the Archive.org instead of compressed MP3sHarvey'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 twoDiscussion of Billy Strings show at Rupp Arena and the Dead-like scene surrounding his toursRed Rocks Show Highlights:First set: Driving Song > Pilgrims > Driving Song, WranglerSecond set: Pigeons > Pleas, Conrad, Dead Flowers (Stones cover with Chuck Leavell), Ribs and Whiskey, Surprise Valley > Tie Your Shoes > Surprise ValleyEncore: Comfortably Numb (Pink Floyd debut), End of the ShowTechnical Updates:Home Team FM now streams panic shows with lossless audio sourced from Archive.orgMultiple source options available for new shows 24/7 live radio stream featuring panic influences and live materialPersonal Moments:Harvey's emotional reaction to the "mass of humanity" visible from Red Rocks upper seatsMeeting Ted and Lisa Rockwell in line before the showReconnecting with Georgia friends and their 21-year-old daughter who's now a touring companionHarvey's youngest son insisting on going to Billy Strings after missing the emotional first nightRecommendations: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/jakobbergerArchive News:New official release: Murfreesboro 4/28/01 from the crew era

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 responseEmergence of new platforms like Home Team FM to fill the void left by Panic StreamJeff's experience at Goose's show at The Factory in Chesterfield, Missouri, including unexpected crowd demographicsHarvey's family trip to see Goose in Indianapolis at Everwise Amphitheater at White River State ParkAnalysis of Goose as both an entry point and comfortable destination for jam band fansDiscussion of how Goose's approach to covers appeals to their audience demographicReflections on seeing bands in their ascendancy versus established legacy actsGoose Show Highlights:St. Louis: Mississippi Half-Step cover, BMW and suburbs observations, hippie pep talk about living life with no regretsIndianapolis: "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 phoneVenue Reviews:The Factory in Chesterfield: Premium entertainment destination with Four Hands Brewery, Top Golf, and excellent amenitiesEverwise Amphitheater: Great outdoor venue in White River State Park where Widespread Panic will play in AugustCommunity News:Discussion of the importance of decentralized archives and community-driven preservation effortsComparison to other bands' approaches to their musical archivesPersonal 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 1948Recommendations: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 bandsThe episode explores themes of community, generational change in music scenes, and the comfort found in discovering new bands while maintaining connections to longtime favorites.

Show NotesIn 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. LouisDetailed recap of Widespread Panic's three-night run in Chicago featuring guest appearances by Billy Strings and Jerry JosephJeff's deep dive into George McConnell-era shows, specifically a 2003 Tallahassee performance, and reflections on that transitional periodAnalysis of how the George era might have been viewed differently if it had been shorterDiscussion of current ticket prices and venue challenges at Chicago showsTribute to Sly Stone, who passed away recentlyCharles Fox Interview Highlights:Charles's evolution from DAT trading in college to becoming one of the premier audience tapers in the sceneTechnical discussion of recording equipment, from Shep's tube microphones to modern Sound Devices recordersThe importance of positioning and the "sweet spot" for optimal recording qualityHow taper wives play a crucial support role in protecting equipment and managing crowdsStories from memorable recording experiences, including sneaking gear into Rolling Stones and Jazz Fest showsHis approach to distribution via Archive.org and maintaining multiple backup copiesIntroduction of his teenage son to the taping worldTechnical Gear Discussion:Evolution from external preamps and DAT recorders to integrated Sound Devices unitsBenefits of 32-bit recording and modern windscreen technologyThe art of discrete recording for venues that don't allow tapingRecommendations:Harvey: Karen Reed trial coverageJeff: "90 Day Hunt for Love" reality showNotable 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 approachThe 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.

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 WalkerThe revelation that Charles Fox's audience recordings provide a superior listening experience compared to soundboard recordingsAnnouncement of Widespread Panic headlining Mempho Festival in Memphis this October with Father John Misty, Leftover Salmon, Galactic, and other notable actsHarvey's experience seeing My Morning Jacket during their five-night residency at the Palace in LouisvilleJeff's proposal to find and discuss the top five Widespread Panic shows from each era of the bandNew music releases including Goose's latest album and Widespread Panic's Athens '98 releaseA discussion about the Sphere venue in Las Vegas and concert experiences thereGuest Segment:Mike McClure from the "Guess the Year" podcast joins to discuss Grateful Dead fandom, music eras, and the art of discerning years by soundA friendly competition where Harvey and Jeff try to identify the years of three Grateful Dead performancesDiscussion of the crossover between Grateful Dead and Widespread Panic fansInsights into the evolution of the Grateful Dead's sound through different erasRecommendations:Jeff: McKay's used media stores in Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga - https://www.mckaybooks.comHarvey: "Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kid Influencing" documentary on Netflix - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ6H2QyeWAEMike: 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-weekUpcoming Guests:Marq Spusta, Widespread Panic poster artist who created artwork for their latest album and singlesNotable 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 experiencesFollow 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/id1649273235BT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BluestTapePodcast/BT Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bluesttape9773BT IG: https://www.instagram.com/bluesttapepodcast/

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 UnitThe 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 1990sMatt's experiences on the H.O.R.D.E. festival tours in 1992-93, including the legendary collaborative jams between bandsWhat it was like to rejoin Widespread Panic on stage at the Fox Theatre in 2022 after a nearly 30-year absenceMemories of playing with Jimmy Herring and Michael HouserMatt'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 SkaggsHis current musical projects, including an upcoming album featuring his mother on bass and a mix of bluegrass and swing tunesGuest 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 OsborneThe Louisville bluegrass scene featuring JD Crowe, Tony Rice, and Ricky SkaggsHosts' Recommendations:Harvey: "Adolescence" on Netflix - a four-episode drama filmed in single takesJeff: 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 albumAt the end of the episode, listeners are treated to two new unreleased tracks from Matt's upcoming album, "Flatt Lonesome" and "Island Hop"

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 performancesDiscussion of My Morning Jacket's new album "is" and their longevity in the music sceneMitchell's introduction to Widespread Panic at Greenstreets in 1990 and how it changed his musical trajectoryThe founding and philosophy behind 54 Bicycles, which Mitchell describes as "preservation work" rather than tributeThe challenges and joys of playing Panic songs and gaining new appreciation for less-familiar tracksMitchell's work with the Million Memory Project and his focus on preserving community storiesThe importance of audience taping and music documentation in the digital streaming eraDiscussion of Mitchell's Rarebird Farm venue and the vibrant old-time music scene in Madison County, NCReflections on the long-term recovery from hurricane damage in Marshall and Hot Springs, NCGuest 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, NCUpcoming Events Mentioned:Tiny Festivals at Rarebird Farm (May 2-3, plus June and October dates) featuring old-time musicians and reinterpreters of traditional musicNashville shows for Widespread PanicNotable 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 KolathOutro 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 - @bluesttapeFacebook - @BluestTapePodcastInstagram - @bluesttapepodcast

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 AuditoriumSam 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 perspectiveMemories of Widespread Panic's Spring 1995 tour, with Sam sharing stories of traveling to shows with friendsRandolph-Macon College soundboard recording from 4/22/95 and other standout shows from that eraExtended wrestling talk featuring Memphis wrestling legends Dave Brown and Lance Russell. Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTS3JDUwzD0Jeff and Harvey's March Madness bracket predictions, with both picking Houston vs Florida in the finalsGuest Info:Sam Holt (guitarist) discusses upcoming shows, touring with JoJo Hermann in July, and shares stories from his time on the roadRecommendations:Sam: Alice in Chains discography and Jim Cornette's wrestling podcastsJeff: Suss (ambient country band) performing with Immersion at Crosstown ArtsHarvey: Dawes performance at the Grammy Awards and the Gabby Petito documentary on NetflixNotable 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 friendshipsFollow The Bluest Tape on social media and streaming platforms for more episodes examining classic live performances and music culture.

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 steelDiscussion of the recently announced 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees, including Phish, The Black Crowes, Oasis, Mariah Carey, and othersBreaking news about the upcoming demolition of Oak Mountain Amphitheater in Alabama and reflections on memorable Widespread Panic shows at the venueThe summer festival lineup for Bourbon & Beyond, featuring a "cavalcade of 90s" bandsA look ahead to Harvey's upcoming Mardi Gras trip to New Orleans with familyCultural 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

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 performancesCultural Recommendations:Bob: "Why The Beatles Matter" podcast by Sean Gaillard and "My Black Country" by Alice RandallHarvey: "Complete Unknown" - Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothée ChalametJeff: "American Primeval" on Netflix (with caveats) and NYT Connections gameFollow Bob Beatty:Social media: @longlivetheABBWebsite: longlivetheabb.comBook: "Play All Night: Duane Allman and the Journey to Fillmore East" available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/0813069505Upcoming livestream of Steel & Peaches on February 15thDuration: 1 hour, 31 minutesNext Week: Discussion of the upcoming Widespread Panic shows in Atlantic City