Today we look back to December 21, 2007…

Panic NYE on CNN

CNN’s Anderson Cooper will host New Years Eve Live with Anderson Cooper, from New York Citys Times Square on Monday, December 31. The show will not focus exclusively on the NYC ball drop as it will check in at various sites around the country. One of the locales that the program intends to visit is Philips Arena in Atlanta, the site of the Widespread Panic New Year’s Eve concert. The program, which will air from 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. (ET), will cut to the Arena intermittently to offer live music from Panic’s performance, which also will be simulcast on SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

Keller’s Open Practice

Keller Williams will begin a two week tour with the WMD’s at Asheville’s Orange Peel on January 17. However, one day earlier, the WMD’s will perform a special gig in Keller’s hometown of Fredericksburg. On the 16th, Williams, Keith Moseley, Gibb Droll and Jeff Sipe ‘will rehearse their chops live on stage’ at Eyeclops in Fredericksburg.

This will be the second area gig for Williams in a short time span as on December 26, Williams will host his 7th annual benefit concert for the SPCA of Fredericksburg. The performance will take place at Virginia’s Fredericksburg Fair Grounds and will feature a solo performance, followed by a set of reggae tunes while accompanied by The Transmitters. 100% of the profits from the event will go to the SPCA of Fredericksburg, a no-kill shelter whose mission is to promote, advocate and provide compassionate and proper care of companion animals.

For more on Keller’s upcoming plans be sure to check out Jeff Waful’s interview with Williams, which just appeared on the site.

A Celebration of a Lifetime: George Porter Jr.‘s 60th Birthday Bash

There looks to be presents aplenty on the day after Christmas in New Orleans. On December 26, the Howlin’ Wolf will host A Celebration of a Lifetime: George Porter Jr.‘s 60th Birthday Bash. The birthday boy will perform with Porter Batiste Stoltz and over the course of the evening, numerous other musicians will pay their respects, including Bonerama, Ivan Neville, Tony Hall and ‘special guests galore.’ The $20 admission price also includes a buffet dinner from Jacque Imos & Mullates.

Eric Gould Goes Goofy

Last night in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, area band Goofy Foot drew in a familiar figure on bass. Particle’s Eric Gould joined in for portions of the group’s set at Jerry’s Bait Shop. Gould and Goofy Foot members Bob Kaat (guitar), Andrew Wishy (keys) and Andy Manz (drums) delivered takes on the Commodores’ ‘Machine Gun’ as well as Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstition’ and Particle’s own ’7 Minutes Till Radio Darkness.’

Gould rejoins Particle on December 27 at Winstons in Ocean Beach, CA, while Goofy Foot is slated to appear at the Ski Bar on Vail, Colorado on December 30.

David Grisman Quintet, Railroad Earth, Donna the Buffalo, Acoustic Syndicate Among Artists Confirmed For Suwannee Springfest

The 12th annual Suwannee Springfest will take place from March 27-30 at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL. More than 40 artists will perform on 5 stages over the course of the four day event, with numerous festival favorites from past years. The confirmed roster of participants includes: The David Grisman Quintet, Railroad Earth, Donna the Buffalo, Peter Rowan, Acoustic Syndicate, Hot Buttered Rum, the Greencards, Larry Keel & Natural Bridge, Commander Cody & the Lost Planet Airmen, Guy Clark, the Waybacks, the Lee Boys, Jim Lauderdale, Blueground Undergrass, Infamous Stringdusters, Steep Canyon Rangers, Red Stick Ramblers and Dread Clampitt. Early Bird tickets are now on sale through January 15, with additional details available at the Suwannee Springfest website.