If you've been to Higher Ground or a festival or JamCruise‚ you've probably come across Mikey VanGulden. With his big ol' dreadlocks and his inches towering over you‚ he looks like he can kick your ass hard‚ but he greets you with a warm smile.
But that smile couldn't ward off a car‚ which on July 5 ran through a red light and hit Mikey on his bike. He spent days in the ICU and ER‚ and is lucky to be alive. Unfortunately‚ Mikey doesn't have insurance‚ and you can imagine the bills that are racking up.Here's what that warm smile can do‚ though: bring people together to help a brother out. Last night at Nectar's a benefit featuring Turkey Bouillon Mafia with special guests like Seth Yacovone and Dave Grippo brought in over $4‚000 for Mikey. The place was packed to the brim‚ showing just how much people love him.
You can show some love‚ too‚ by clicking on the "donate" button on the right side of this blog page that was set up for Mikey (which also has photos from last night).
Going to see live music is a beautiful thing‚ and it's even more beautiful when you're not greeted at the door by an asshole. Let's show Mikey how much we appreciate that.
Mikey with Seth Yacovone, from last night:


new to state of mind
Shows: moe.
Shows: Yonder Mountain String Band
Shows: Grand Point North 2014
Shows: Catskill Chill 2014
Shows: moe.down 15
Shows: Gov't Mule
Shows: Umphrey's McGee
Shows: Newport Folk Festival 2014
Shows: Widespread Panic
Albums: Phish - Fuego
Shows: moe.
Shows: Yonder Mountain String Band
Shows: Grand Point North 2014
Shows: Catskill Chill 2014
Shows: moe.down 15
Shows: Gov't Mule
Shows: Umphrey's McGee
Shows: Newport Folk Festival 2014
Shows: Widespread Panic
Albums: Phish - Fuego
random awesomeness
Shows: String Cheese Incident
Blog: 2010 - The Summer of Dream-Pop
Shows: Liz Phair
Shows: The Allman Brothers
Features: Conversation with Jenny Scheinman
Shows: Dopapod with the Booty Band
Shows: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals w/ Blues & Lasers
Albums: Lowell Thompson - Lowell Thompson & Crown Pilot
Features: Conversation with Suke Cerulo
Albums: Taj Mahal - The Hidden Treasures of Taj Mahal 1969-1973
Shows: String Cheese Incident
Blog: 2010 - The Summer of Dream-Pop
Shows: Liz Phair
Shows: The Allman Brothers
Features: Conversation with Jenny Scheinman
Shows: Dopapod with the Booty Band
Shows: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals w/ Blues & Lasers
Albums: Lowell Thompson - Lowell Thompson & Crown Pilot
Features: Conversation with Suke Cerulo
Albums: Taj Mahal - The Hidden Treasures of Taj Mahal 1969-1973