140: Sharing in the Groove with Mike Ayers - Part One
"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 togetherMike Ayers' personal journey into the jam band scene starting with the Grateful Dead in '93, Phish in '94, and Panic shortly afterThe 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 decadeThe "Island of Misfit Toys" philosophy - bands that didn't fit the traditional music industry mold but built devoted followingsHow bands circumvented traditional pathways (radio, MTV, Tower Records) through touring, taping culture, and word of mouthBill Graham's crucial early support of Blues Traveler, getting them on bills with Allmans and Jerry Garcia BandKey Insights from Mike:Record labels judged success on album sales when these bands' strength was live performanceSpin Doctors' "Pocket Full of Kryptonite" was out 9 months before label support, sparked by a Vermont radio programmer's letterThe DIY mentality was "very punk rock" - bands just did it, stringing together tours creativelyCollege 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 targetedBands would route tours mixing bars, frat houses, random quads, and small venuesUpcoming:Part two of the Mike Ayers interview in the next episodeMempho Fest coverage with both hosts attendingRecommendations:Harvey: Truckin' 76: The Big Rig Adventure Game - a board game recreation of Smokey and the Bandit - www.plaay.comJeff: "The Runarounds" on Amazon Prime - teen band drama with great power pop soundtrack and classic rock referencesPrimary Recommendation: "Sharing in the Groove" by Mike Ayers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
