Fifty Fifty Day

My interview with Jason Bonham fell apart today. Hopefully, we will be able to reschedule it. I was really looking forward to it, obviously since I am a fan of so many bands he has performed with.

Anyway, I had another interview scheduled and it went well. The interview was with Ken Hays the founder of the Gathering of the Vibes festival. I am working on typing it out now while it is fresh, but I will post a link in here about it. Couldn't tell me who is playing this year..but it was a heart felt conversation about the Grateful Dead, Michael Potashnick, the festival, and the city of Bridgeport.

Maybe I should I have invested in the blank tape business back in the day when I was actively trading Grateful Dead shows and others.

The Voice of The Gathering of the Vibes Has Passed Away

Michael J. Potashnick died at the age of 52 from  from pneumonia.The press release describes him as "The Voice of the Vibes" he acted as the festivals co-Master of Ceremonies since 2004. He was involved with Gathering of the Vibes since the first one in 1997. However, Michael was a key player in New England's music and arts scene. Quoting the press release "He was an integral part of the Lake Champlain Maritime Festival, the SoNo Arts Celebration, Bridgeport’s Polka Dot Playhouse, Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, Burlington’s Flynn Center for the Performing Arts" and that's not all.


In the same state I live in West Virginia, Mr. Potashnik was involved in "The All Good Music Festival." I know people don't think of West Virginia as being a cultural center. The state does have very talented folks from here. My area is rich in culture and I have the luxury to share the cultural wealth of nearby areas. "The All Good Festival" is by far the biggest music festival in the state. It is a major music festival on the Mid Atlantic and the East. I am sure Michael J. Potashnik's contributions to the festival will be dearly missed. 


His contributions to all of the music and arts events he was involved in will be missed. Artists and musicians need people like Michael. People don't replace people like Michael but I hope the festivals, the artists, and musicians find people who can fill his roles. His roles won't be filled by one. He will be missed.