Summer Camp Wins Round 1

As the festival announcements begin to fire up, we have seen lots of great lineups thus far. None, however, have turned out so incredibly enticing as Summer Camp Music Festival. Presented by Jay Goldberg Events & Entertainment at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, Illinois, the always esteemed event is in its 15th installment. What began as a small, single stage event has now blossomed into 4 main stages, 2 tent stages and a cohesive community of like-minded music lovers. The 2015 lineup features the usual headliners of moe. and Umphrey's McGee. The two founding bands, however, have each given up one of their usual 6 sets to include headlining sets from Steve Miller Band and Widespread Panic. Other notable jamband acts on the lineup include STS9, John Butler Trio, Future Rock, The Infamous Stringdusters, Joe Russo's Almost Dead, Keller Williams & Grateful Grass and Trampled By Turtles. Notable electronic artists include Cherub, The Floozies, Paul Oakenfold, Cosby Sweater, Digital Tape Machine and Modern Measure. Check out the full Phase 1 lineup below, and get your advance tickets here.

2015 Summer Festival Lineup Announcements Have Begun

Yes, it is that time already! Here are a couple of Phase 1 lineups that have already been released, with many more to come in the very near future!

Floydfest, Floyd, VA

Paradise Music and Arts Festival, Hustonville, KY

2015 Tour Date Announcements

Widespread Panic Orpheum Weekend Recap

While I cannot believe it is already November, I can honestly say that October saw me at some of the best shows I've seen all year! After a Lettuce funk rager and an incredible Backup Planet after party, I geared up for two nights of Widespread Panic at the Orpheum Theatre. After Saturday's show, I thought I had seen an historic WSP show, but then Sunday came, and I was mindblown! See my review of the weekend here for full details on why this two-night stand was so incredible. Also, check out the video below to see a taste of the magic from Sunday night!

Also, my good friend Nick Clark's band, The Wave Function, played a stellar after party on Saturday night at Ernestine & Hazel's on Maine Street. See photos below.

Remembering Duane Allman (Nov 20, 1946 - Oct 29, 1971)

The legacy of the Allman Brothers Band, while comprised of and continued by a host of unbelievably talented and motivated musicians, is owed primarily to one man: Duane "Skydog" Allman. While his time with the ABB was short, it was he who set the band up for success. He hand picked every single member of the original six-piece band based on his vision of a band that not only played together, but became a family and even a community. It was not just the band either. The ABB crew members became a part of the family as well. They all traveled together, ate together, partied together and even lived together.

Just two years into what would become a 45 year career for the band, Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident. It was October 29, 1971, and Duane was less than a month away from his 25th birthday. It was a day that will live on in infamy in rock history, especially for ABB fans. Duane was the heart and soul of the band. When nobody else knew what to do or how to handle a situation, Duane did. He was like the big brother of the band, looking out for all of his younger brothers. And of course, he was perhaps the best slide guitar player who has ever lived to this day.

After Duane's death, the ABB went through many more hard times, but the band endured for 45 years with Duane's spirit guiding them and keeping them alive. He was in the music, he was in the fans, and he was continually in the atmosphere surrounding the entire ABB community. I use the term "was" because the Allman Brothers Band played its final show two nights ago. Three of Duane's prized guitars were used in the ABB's final Beacon Theatre run, and on the final night, they were displayed on stage for all to see. While the official date of the band's final show was October 28, 2014, the show ran into the morning of October 29, 2014, the 43rd anniversary of Duane's death. A fitting end to an illustrious career, filled with the ups and downs that can only be compared to those of a family, shared by band members, crew and fans alike. 

Rest in peace Skydog! And thank you to the Allman Brothers Band for the incredible years of music, which will live on in rock & roll history forever!

Duane "Skydog" Allman and brother Gregg Allman

Lettuce - 1884 Lounge Recap

Although the venue made the decision to move the Lettuce show from the main room in Minglewood Hall to the more compact 1884 Lounge, the setting could not have been more perfect. The close proximity created a wild energy like none other, making for an incredibly funky Friday night in Memphis! Along with my photographer, Ellis Jones, I could not stop groovin' as the band tore up the stage. Following the show, we headed to Young Avenue Deli for an after party with Nashville funk quartet Backup Planet, and they absolutely tore it up! All in all, it was a wonderful night. Check out my review of the Lettuce show here on Live Music Daily, and be sure to check out the video I took of the first song of the encore below.

TONIGHT: Lettuce At Minglewood Hall + After Party

Tonight begins an absolutely incredible weekend of live music in Memphis, Tennessee. First, at Minglewood Hall, the funk jamband giant Lettuce will be throwing a Friday night rager, with Late Night Radio opening things up. Following the show, Whitney Production Company will be throwing an after party at Young Avenue Deli with Nashville's funk outlet Backup Planet providing the tunage til bar close. All of these acts are must-see and should account for one of the best nights of music in Memphis for the year.

Saturday and Sunday we have Widespread Panic rockin' the Orpheum Theatre, and Backup Planet will be throwing another after party on Saturday at The Brass Door.

See you guys out there, and happy ragin'!