"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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