Ahh, Langerado. Home of dangerously close alligator encounters, carbon monoxide detectors, gale force winds, and of course, icy temperatures. But to look back on last weekend with such dark grey glasses would be remiss....

Folks, whether you are an Allman Brothers/Goverment Mule fan or not, know that Warren Haynes is one of the sweetest men alive. I’m told to fear Ben Folds, but also a (cup eating) sweetie. I truly enjoyed talking with Ani Di Franco, a genuine, easygoing smile-in-a-body, to whom I dreaded revealing I don’t recycle everything, only to find out she doesn’t either. "Baby Waiting", Ani. Dewit. Sorry, Joel ( Josh?) from Umphrees for fucking up your name. And kudos for not being a stuck up rock star. Love that. The Wailers, The National, Matisyahu- I felt lucky and surrounded. And among all those names, my faves were still Steel Train and American Babies. Just got the record. Love it.

Thank you, Michael Stipe, for serenading. To the lovely ladies at the Hampton Inn Ft. Lauderdale airport- I’ve never been happier to see a room key in all my life. And to the beer stand kids...my how things haven’t changed since I was in college. The Sunday morning parting of the clouds award goes to Will Hoge. Who knew. And Jim, I love your freewheelin’ ways. You conquered the scaffold. And, the next shirt I buy will be made of bamboo. Ok, it won’t. But they are surprisingly soft. Enjoy the towels, Casey. Sacre Bleu.... we couldn’t have done it without you.

Alison, John, my comrades. Fuck it, lets do it all over again.

I’ve posted some pics, and the Concert TV piece will air in April, for those of you with Cox, Comcast and Direct TV. www.concert.tv for those of us in the grips of Time Warner.

Festival season is upon us. See you out there.....