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Universal Music Group and Spotify Strike New Multi-Year Agreement

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Universal Music Group, the world leader in music-based entertainment and Spotify, the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service, today announced new, multi-year agreements for Recorded Music and Music Publishing focused on growth, innovation and the advancement of artists’ and songwriters’ success.

Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Group said, “When we first presented our vision for the next stage in the evolution of music subscription several months ago—Steaming 2.0—this is precisely the kind of partnership development we envisioned. This agreement furthers and broadens the collaboration with Spotify for both our labels and music publisher, advancing artist-centric principles to drive greater monetization for artists and songwriters, as well as enhancing product offerings for consumers.”

Daniel Ek, Spotify’s Founder and CEO, said, “For nearly two decades, Spotify has made good on its commitment to return the music industry to growth, ensuring that we deliver record payouts to the benefit of artists and songwriters each new year. This partnership ensures we can continue to deliver on this promise by embracing the certainty that constant innovation is key to making paid music subscriptions even more attractive to a broader audience of fans around the world.”

Under the new agreements, UMG and Spotify will collaborate closely to advance the next era of streaming innovation. Artists, songwriters and consumers will benefit from new and evolving offers, new paid subscription tiers, bundling of music and non-music content, and a richer audio and visual content catalog. By deepening audience experiences, driving further engagement and amplifying the connection between artists, songwriters and their fans, the collaboration between these two companies will position the industry for continued subscriber growth and retention.

The new publishing agreement establishes a direct license between Spotify and Universal Music Publishing Group across Spotify’s current product portfolio in the U.S. and several other countries, which reinforces a mutually beneficial relationship for songwriters on the platform.

The new agreements also renew the companies’ commitment to artist-centric principles, ensuring that artists continue to be properly rewarded for the share of audience engagement that they drive and that their streaming royalties remain protected through the platforms’ application of its fraud detection and enforcement systems.

Billy Corgan Launches “The Magnificent Others” Podcast

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Billy Corgan, the frontman of the two-time Grammy Award-winning iconic rock band THE SMASHING PUMPKINS, will launch his new podcast, “The Magnificent Others”, on February 5 via Bill Maher’s Club Random Studios. Watch the official trailer for the podcast’s first installment and its high-powered slate of guests below.

“The Magnificent Others” will bring listeners face-to-face with world-renowned artists, innovative entrepreneurs, trailblazing scientists, and visionary leaders who have dared to push boundaries and redefine what’s possible. Previously announced last March, the show will feature weekly in-depth conversations with its first installment to include KISS legend Gene Simmons, Corey Feldman, Sam Moore (SAM & DAVE),Richie Sambora (BON JOVI),Carnie Wilson (WILSON PHILLIPS),Tom Morello, Pat Benatar and Neil Geraldo. Through in-depth, candid conversations, all captured on camera in a unique, engaging way, Billy and his guests peel back the layers of success in captivating in-person interviews, exploring the triumphs, challenges, and pivotal moments that shaped their journeys and defined their paths.

When not developing “The Magnificent Others”, Corgan has stayed busy with THE SMASHING PUMPKINS, recently releasing their acclaimed thirteen collection, “Aghori Mhori Mei” alongside an expansive run of U.S. stadium performances with GREEN DAY as part of “The Saviors Tour” and arena dates nationwide. The band also had an acclaimed run across Europe last summer with a combination of arena and headline festival dates, along with their multi-city Latin American fall tour. These dates saw THE SMASHING PUMPKINS play to their fans across South and Latin America for the first time in nearly a decade. With more shows on the horizon, the band is currently slated for three performances in Europe later this year.

Beyond his accomplishments as a Grammy Award-winning musician, Billy is a versatile producer, songwriter, and poet. He serves as the president of the National Wrestling Alliance, owns Madame Zuzu’s, a beloved tea shop in Highland, Illinois, and remains a devout philanthropist through varying initiatives focusing on animal advocacy and no-kill shelters.

All Those Times Actors On The Carol Burnett Show Broke Up With Laughter

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The Carol Burnett Show delivered some of TV’s funniest moments—so funny, in fact, that even the cast couldn’t keep it together. Watch the best scenes where they broke character and cracked up, despite knowing what was coming!

When Harry And Sally Met Hellmann’s

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Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan hilariously revisited their iconic When Harry Met Sally deli scene for a Hellmann’s Super Bowl LIX ad. Sydney Sweeney made a cameo, delivering the legendary line: “I’ll have what she’s having.”

Nirvana Reunites At FireAid With St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, Joan Jett, and Violet Grohl

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At the FireAid benefit in Los Angeles, Nirvana’s surviving members—Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl, and Pat Smear—delivered a powerful four-song set, featuring St. Vincent, Kim Gordon, Joan Jett, and Violet Grohl on vocals.

Google’s Crackdown on Fake Reviews: What It Means for Professional Services

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By Mitch Rice

For law firms, accountants, and financial advisors, a strong reputation isn’t optional—it’s everything. A single negative review can drive potential clients away, while a high star rating builds trust before you ever say a word.

But in early February, businesses across industries started seeing Google reviews disappear overnight. No explanation, no warning—just gone. This wasn’t a glitch. It was part of Google’s latest crackdown on fake reviews, driven by increasing pressure from regulators like the FTC in the U.S. and new consumer protection laws in the EU.

While the goal is to remove fraudulent reviews, many legitimate reviews have been caught in the purge. If your business has lost valuable feedback, it’s time to understand what’s happening and what you can do about it.

Why Google Is Removing Reviews

Regulators have been pressuring Google, Amazon, and other review-based platforms to crack down on manipulated ratings. Companies caught using fake reviews—whether buying positive ones or leaving negative ones for competitors—have faced massive fines.

Google’s response has been aggressive. Rather than taking a case-by-case approach, its algorithm is removing large batches of reviews at once. And it’s not just catching fake reviews—legitimate ones are being erased, too.

For professional service firms that rely on credibility, this is a serious issue. A firm that has spent years building a strong review profile could suddenly find itself with fewer ratings, a lower star average, or missing key testimonials that helped convert potential clients.

What This Means for Professional Services

Unlike restaurants or retail stores, law firms, financial advisors, and accounting firms don’t get hundreds of reviews every month. A handful of strong, well-written client testimonials can carry more weight than dozens of generic ratings.

Losing even a few key reviews can have a significant impact on how a firm appears in search results. A law firm that drops from 4.9 stars to 4.3 because of missing reviews may find potential clients clicking on a competitor instead. In an industry where trust is a deciding factor, that’s a problem.

Even worse, Google is not notifying businesses when reviews are removed. Many firms are only noticing after potential clients mention it—or when search traffic starts to dip.

Can You Get Your Reviews Back?

If you’ve lost reviews, you may be wondering how to get Google reviews removed when they unfairly disappear. Unfortunately, there’s no clear process to restore legitimate reviews that Google has erased.

The first step is to check your Google Business Profile and take note of any missing reviews. If they were recent, reach out to the clients who left them and ask if they can re-submit their feedback. In many cases, however, Google will prevent users from posting the same review again.

You can also submit a support request through Google’s Business Help Center, but responses have been mixed. Some businesses have had reviews reinstated, while others have been told that once a review is removed, it’s gone for good.

How to Protect Your Reputation Moving Forward

If you’ve lost valuable reviews, rebuilding your online reputation should be a priority. While Google’s system is unpredictable, there are steps you can take to ensure that your firm remains visible and trusted.

Encouraging satisfied clients to leave new reviews on Google is the best immediate strategy. If a dozen older reviews have vanished, adding fresh, detailed feedback can help offset the loss. Sending follow-up emails or including a review request in client communications can help restore a strong review profile.

Beyond Google, it’s also important to diversify where your reviews appear. Professional service firms should encourage clients to leave feedback on LinkedIn, Avvo (for legal professionals), Yelp, Trustpilot, and other industry-specific platforms. If Google removes reviews again, a strong presence elsewhere ensures that your reputation isn’t entirely at the mercy of one platform’s algorithm.

For businesses struggling with unfair removals or persistent negative content, working with a content removal agency can be a smart move. Companies like Reputation Riot specialize in helping firms suppress misleading content, address false reviews, and improve search rankings.

The Bottom Line

Google’s review purge isn’t going away anytime soon. As regulators push for greater transparency, more automated removals are likely. Businesses in professional services—where trust and credibility are everything—need to stay ahead of these changes.

That means proactively managing your online reputation, encouraging ongoing reviews, and diversifying your review presence across multiple platforms. If Google has erased valuable feedback, rebuilding is essential—because when potential clients search for your business, what they see in those first few results determines whether they ever walk through your door.

Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.

Julien’s Auctions to Present “Celebrating Leonard Cohen” Featuring Rare Artifacts and Unpublished Works

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Julien’s Auctions will pay tribute to the great modern poet and legendary GRAMMY and Juno Award winning Canadian singer and songwriter, hailed by his countless peers such as Lou Reed as the “highest and most influential echelon of songwriters,” with “Celebrating Leonard Cohen | The Collections Of Aviva Layton, Anjani Thomas, & More” taking place Friday, February 28th live at Julien’s Studios in Los Angeles and online at Julien’s Auctions.

The exclusive event was announced following the fortieth anniversary of the release of the music icon’s magnum opus, “Hallelujah,” that has been immortalized in over 300 cover versions across multi-generations of artists and performers around the world with famous renditions from the likes of Jeff Buckley, k.d. lang, Bob Dylan, John Cale, and more.

Over 150 pieces including never before seen manuscripts, unpublished poetry, letters, as well as personal effects such as his hat, gifted fine jewelry, clothing, artwork, photographs and more will be presented for the first time to the public. This treasure trove of intimate archival material and objects representing the inspiration of Cohen’s important works and his creative flourishes and pursuits spanning across his six-decade career has been kept lovingly by his inner circle of close friends and colleagues, Aviva Layton, Anjani Thomas, with selections from the personal archives of Cork Smith and Nancy Bacal. Collectively, this is the largest privately held group of Leonard Cohen artifacts ever to come to auction.

“Leonard Cohen left behind a remarkably complete archive due to his resolute devotion to saving everything, which means that there are very few things available to his global fan base in the marketplace. As Cohen once said, ‘The archive is the mountain, and the published work the volcano’ – this auction is a rare opportunity for all of us who continue to enjoy his extraordinary life’s work, to own our own little piece of that mountain,” said Laura Woolley, Managing Director, Head of Consignments & Appraisals, Julien’s Auctions. “The alternate drafts, unpublished works, intimate photos, correspondence, and personal items in this auction offer a rare glimpse, behind the curtain, at one of the most important poets and musicians of the 20th and 21st Centuries.”

JULIEN’S AUCTIONS LIVE AND ONLINE AUCTION CELEBRATING LEONARD COHEN | THE COLLECTIONS OF AVIVA LAYTON, ANJANI THOMAS, & MORE
Friday, February 28, 2025
10:00 a.m. Pacific Time
Julien’s Studios
13007 S. Western Avenue
Gardena, CA 90249

Maya Delilah Announces Debut Album The Long Way Round, Blending Soul, Blues, and Pop with a Fresh Perspective

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Maya Delilah has announced the release of The Long Way Round, her stunning full-length debut album out March 28 via Blue Note/Capitol. The London-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist has also been named a 2025 Spotify “Artist To Watch,” another sure sign of her rising star after she was named to the Fender Next “Class of 2024.” Her debut album makes good on that promise by bringing all the elements of her art together — the intimacy, the ability, the inspiration, the depth, the lightness — into one striking work.

While the 12 songs on The Long Way Round are steeped in soul-pop, they also contain rich strains of country and blues, hints of gospel and choral music, and one full serving of unvarnished funk with the flirty new single “Squeeze” out today. “This album is a combination of so many parts of me,” says Maya. “I get so influenced by different genres, people, places, and experiences that it’s always felt hard for me to fit my music into a consistent sound or mood. It took me a long time (hence The Long Way Round) to realize that it’s a beautiful thing to have a body of work that explores so many different influences.”

Making the album was also a literal journey, from a barn-based studio in Devon, England, to a home studio in Los Angeles, and back to various rooms across London. All with a cast of friends new and old, including producers Peter Miles, Josh Grant, Doug Schadt, Seth Tackaberry, and Aquilo’s Ben Fletcher and Tom Higham, as well as collaborators including Samm Henshaw, Grace Lightman, members of FIZZ, organist Cory Henry, and drummer Aaron Sterling (John Mayer, Taylor Swift).

Maya’s muse isn’t the only thing tying The Long Way Round together. Opener “Begin Again” introduces a powerful theme. As she looks back at her first car, her first kiss, her first home, she returns to the gentle hook: “Another day, another end / Oh, we begin again.” The idea of cycles frames the set as the album goes on. Depending on your interpretation, The Long Way Round could be about regaining trust in love or losing it entirely. Shuffled, these songs could trace the arc of one relationship from inception to end, or it could be the bridge between a failed romance and a thrilling new one, or it’s a dozen separate vignettes. With these songs — from soothing, psychedelic send-off “Look at the State of Me Now” to Western-inflected codependence tribute “Necklace” to the ‘70s soul music inspired “Actress” — Maya proves herself a master of not just an evocative guitar solo, but of capturing life’s biggest contradiction: why everything matters all the time and also why it’s not that deep.

“My biggest hope is that the album feels nostalgic to someone I’ve never met before,” says Maya. It’s an interesting thought given how uniquely “Maya” this set is, but that’s exactly what makes it work as intended. The warm glow, the wry smile, a sense of loss, and a yearning for renewal — we’re right there with her as she looks back, and ahead, at The Long Way Round.

A 24-year-old singer, songwriter and guitarist from North London, Maya Delilah attended the prestigious BRIT School whose alumni include Adele, Amy Winehouse, and FKA twigs, among many others. In 2020, lockdown put a pause on the background session work Maya had begun to do within her community of music-making friends, so she turned to livestreams and TikTok where she built up a devoted following with unadorned clips where she would sit cross-legged on the floor, a bed, or a table, her fingernails dancing over the strings, making the guitar sing out whole moods. Over the course of two self-released EPs (2020’s Oh Boy, 2021’s It’s Not Me, It’s You), she amassed more than 50 million streams of fan favorites like “Breakup Season” and “Tangerine Dream” that greeted heartache with humor. Maya began releasing music on Blue Note/Capitol in 2022, reinterpreting Cassandra Wilson’s cover of Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon” for Blue Note Re:imagined II, and following with a string of singles including “Silver Lining” and “Pretty Face.” Maya was named to the Fender Next “Class of 2024” — a huge co-sign from the guitar brand she’s been playing since age 8 — and has also been named a 2025 Spotify “Artist To Watch.”

Joan Baez’s Legacy Takes Center Stage in a New Exhibit at the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame

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The creative genius and passionate determination of one of America’s musical icons comes to life inside the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame with Joan Baez: A Life of Music, Art, and Activism. The exhibit, curated by Museum Collective, will feature handwritten lyrics, rarely seen personal photos, original artwork and famous instruments that defined Baez’s award-winning career. The new exhibit opens inside the Boch Center Wang Theatre, March 6, 2025. Tours of Joan Baez: A Life of Music, Art, and Activism and all of the Hall of Fame’s exhibits can be booked at FARHOF.org.

“The Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame is the perfect place to honor Joan’s impact on music and American history. Her career started on the stage of Club 47 and others around Boston and Cambridge, and she was in the Hall of Fame’s inaugural class of inductees,” said Casey Soward, President and CEO of the Boch Center. “We continue to celebrate her legacy, educating a new generation about the incredible life the iconic singer has led.”

Joan Baez: A Life of Music, Art, and Activism showcases a variety of items from the life and artistry of Joan Baez. As a singer/songwriter, Baez occupies a singular space in history, but her body of work extends into many facets of creativity, including poetry and visual art. Her ability to speak truth to power in the fight for social justice has been guided by the principle of nonviolence, and her fearlessness makes her an enduring influence on artists and freedom fighters around the world.

After appearing unannounced at the 1959 Newport Folk Festival, Joan Baez established her place as a pivotal part of the 1960s Folk Revival. She appeared numerous times at the iconic Club 47 (now Club Passim) in Cambridge, MA, performed at Woodstock in 1969, and introduced Bob Dylan to the world by inviting him to open her concerts. A voice of hope, Baez stood alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at the March on Washington, was arrested for protesting America’s involvement in Vietnam, and has continually been a voice for peace and equality for all.

In addition to her musical career, Baez is a painter, author, and poet who, for over six decades, has shared her message of peace through her art and continues to influence artists/activists to use their platforms to build bridges between communities for a more peaceful society. This exhibition celebrates all her artistic endeavors and extends Joan Baez’s invitation to the world to continue sharing her message of peace, equality, and social justice.

The Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame is a cultural and education initiative of the Boch Center located inside the Wang Theatre at 270 Tremont St. Boston, Massachusetts. Curated by the Museum Collective, the Hall of Fame is geared to music lovers of all ages, providing educational offerings that ensure legacies are honored and new musical traditions are nurtured for generations to come. These genres of music have historically provided an outlet for individuals of all races and backgrounds, and from every corner of the United States to express their joys, sorrows, and experiences.

Recent and current exhibits include the All Seeing Eye: Blue Note Records Through the Lens of Francis Wolff; Bruce Springsteen: Portraits of an American Music Icon; Legends of Folk, Americana, Roots Music; Arlo Guthrie: Native Son; Life in Six Strings; Don’t Think Twice: The Daniel Kramer Photographs of Bob Dylan, 1964-65; Boston: A Music Town; The Wang Theatre: A Century of Great Music; historic artifacts from David Bieber Archives and the Cultural Heroes sculptures on loan from Alan LeQuire Galleries in Nashville, TN.

For updates, information about tours and upcoming events and exhibits visit www.FARHOF.org.

In 2019, the Boch Center expanded its educational programming and launched the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame, Boston’s living music museum which celebrates the lifeblood of America’s musical and cultural heritage. Folk music provides an outlet for individuals of all races and backgrounds to express their highest joys and deepest sorrows.

The Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring the past, celebrating the present and nurturing the future of Folk, Americana Roots musicians. By learning from the past, we hope to influence meaningful conversations today.

Housed in the Wang Theatre, the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame celebrates Folk, Americana and Roots music through displays, memorabilia, artifacts, events, lectures, exhibits, concerts, and educational programs.

The Boch Center is one of the nation’s leading nonprofit performing arts institutions and a guardian of the historic Wang and Shubert Theatres. As New England’s largest cultural venue, the Boch Center is home to theater, classical and popular music, dance, comedy, opera, Broadway musicals, family entertainment, and more.

Located in Boston’s historic Theater District, the Boch Center also offers a diverse mix of educational, cultural and community outreach initiatives, including the City Spotlights Leadership Program and the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame; collaborates with artists and local nonprofit arts organizations; preserves historic venues; and acts as a champion for Greater Boston’s arts and cultural community. Learn more at bochcenter.org.

DISPATCH Hits the Road for a Massive 35-Date Summer Tour with John Butler and G. Love & Special Sauce

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DISPATCH and summer are synonymous, and the celebrated folk-rock band is looking forward to a return to the road on their just-announced Summer Tour 2025 alongside John Butler (with band) and special guests G. Love & Special Sauce, Donavon Frankenreiter and Illiterate Light on select dates. The mammoth 35-date outing kicks off June 3 in St. Augustine Florida and will make stops in major markets including Chicago, New York City, Las Vegas, San Diego, San Francisco and more (full routing can be found below). An artist presale will be available this coming Monday, February 3 with the general on-sale to follow Friday, February 7.

The band just released their new single, “Yellow Jacket,” a sentimental track about frontman Chadwick Stokes’ upbringing on the farm – and all of the antics he and his brothers would get into. “We would roller skate all around the farm,” said Stokes. “One time my brother Benny was snooping around the sheep shed in mom’s skates and rolled right into a nest of yellow jackets. Since he was in skates that were 7 sizes too big, he couldn’t get away.” The reflective lyrics are coupled with a sound that harkens back to early DISPATCH with an infectious blend of reggae and roots rock.

Of the tour Brad Corrigan adds, “We are STOKED to hit the road this summer with our bud John Butler and his band, and to have G. Love & Special Sauce, Donavon Frankenreiter and Illiterate Light on the tour too!! Going to be an epic lineup every night, and we can’t wait for all the energy and good vibes…”

Formed by Chadwick Stokes and Brad Corrigan while in college in Vermont – have forged their own path outside the mainstream music industry as one of independent rock’s most indelible acts over the last two-and-a-half decades. Over the course of a slew of acclaimed studio and live albums and countless tours and festivals, the band has gone on to become one of biggest success stories in music history without any traditional radio or major label support. The five piece continues to grow and push their boundaries, taking surprise turns without ever abandoning the signature sound. Throughout their rise, DISPATCH has taken every opportunity to use their success for good, launching charitable organizations to fight poverty and mass incarceration, raising funds and awareness for environmental causes, schools and hospitals on the road, and even traveling as far afield as Nicaragua and Zimbabwe to work with children and communities in need..

SUMMER TOUR 2025 DATES
June 3 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre *
June 5 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy *
June 6 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre *
June 7 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater *
June 8 – Wilmington, NC – Live Oak Bank Pavilion *
June 10 – Richmond, VA – Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront *
June 12 – Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome *
June 13 – Charleston, SC – Firefly Distillery *
June 14 – Asheville, NC – Asheville Yards Amphitheater *
June 17 – Cincinnati, OH – Andrew J Brady Music Center *
June 18 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park ^
June 21 – Highland Park, IL – Ravinia Festival %
June 22 – Minneapolis, MN – Surly Brewing Festival Field #
June 24 – St. Louis, MO – Saint Louis Music Park *
June 26 – Detroit, MI – Meadow Brook Amphitheatre *
June 27 – Cleveland, OH – Cain Park Evans Amphitheater ^
June 28 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met *
June 29 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater *
July 1 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17 *
July 3 – Portland, ME – Thompson’s Point *
July 4 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summer Stage *
July 5 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap *
July 24 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Open Air Amphitheater *
July 25 – Las Vegas, NV – The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan *
July 26 – Costa Mesa, CA – Pacific Amphitheatre *
July 27 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic *
July 29 – Jacksonville, OR – Britt Pavilion +
July 31 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater *
August 1 – Redmond, WA – Marymoor Live *
August 2 – Sandpoint, ID – The Festival at Sandpoint *
August 3 – Bonner, MT – KettleHouse Amphitheater *
August 5 – Salt Lake City, UT – TBA *
August 7 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre #
August 8 – Dillon, CO – Dillon Amphitheater #
* w/ John Butler with Band + G. Love & Special Sauce + Donavon Frankenreiter
^ w/ John Butler with Band + G. Love & Special Sauce
% w/ John Butler with Band + Donavon Frankenreiter
# w/ John Butler with Band + Donavon Frankenreiter + Illiterate Light
+ w/ Donavon Frankenreiter, No John Butler with Band

UPCOMING FESTIVAL DATES
June 15 – Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival