Having spent a wonderful weekend amidst the music in the mountains at High Sierra Music Festival, I can attest that freedom is a wonderful thing to celebrate. Like the freedom of these road trips I take to music events, whereupon people get to immerse themselves in their passion, share the experience with one another, and in essence, create a city out of a rural pasture or fairgrounds. Often overheard at these events is "Why can't life be like this all the time?" With good friends, good music, good food and good times. And I would also suggest good citizenship, so that we can keep the lifestyle afloat. That means tending to our environs, to keeping engaged in our democracy.

In years gone by, Independence Day has signified so many things for me, from the days with radio where we did the fireworks and programmed the music, to the ones where you savor patriotism like after 911, to the personal declaring of separation from a co-dependent relationship, and everything in between.

We hung out with Stonehoney in May at the Cherokee Creek Music Festival, and they played us some brand new songs. Stonehoney tour dates are listed here. They are powerful players. And what ever you do, however you declare your own version of independence this 4th, remember the troops, and all who came before in support of Lady Liberty. Watch the fireworks, observe the burn ban, and get home safe.

We bring you Stonehoney's Dave Phenicie, taking the lead on "Independence Day."

-Jessie Scott