On the Road with Fred

THE ROAD GOES ON FOREVER
April 2005

When Widespread Panic returned to the stage at Atlanta's Fox Theater, just two days after the Black Crowes reformed for a nine-night stint at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom, Southern rock once again found itself at the forefront of the musical world. While it may take some time for Panic to again hit full stride, many other Southern rockers continue to represent, performing some of the finest live music known to man.

THE BLACK CROWES

Three and a half years after their last show, the brothers Robinson have reformed the most commercially successful Southern rock band of the 90's. When tickets for nine nights at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom sold out in minutes, even though the remaining members of the band had yet to be named, a full fledged tour was announced. Fans were thrilled by the return of original member Marc Ford, and early performances have been some of the Crowes' finest in many years.

NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALL STARS

While this trio's music could never be categorized as "traditional Southern rock," they are adding a new chapter to the musical legacy of the south with blazing live performances that are making the Hill Country Blues more famous than ever.

THE KINGS OF LEON

Another band that hardly sounds like "traditional Southern rock," the Kings are the fastest rising stars of the new generation. While the majority of their performing career has been spent in Europe, fans quickly snapped up all tickets for the band's recent U.S. tour. With an opening slot on the first leg of U2's massive tour, followed by a spot on this summer's revamped Lollapalooza tour, the Kings are poised for a breakthrough of enormous proportions.

TISHAMINGO

At a jam packed afternoon performance on March 24, Tishamingo performed a set that many found more invigorating than either of Panic's sets later that evening. Since the recent release of Wear N Tear, Tishamingo's fan base has grown immensely, leading to sell outs in venues the band never packed in the past.

And, of course….

THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND

Nearly four decades into a career marked by numerous changes, the ABB is playing on par with their best performances ever. They remain the icons of Southern rock, proving that the road indeed does go on forever.

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