Southern Psychedelic Rock

HIGHER GROUND — Built on Purpose. Driven by Sound.

Founded in 2000 by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Tim Westerwelle, Higher Ground was never meant to follow trends, it was created to ignite something deeper. From the very beginning, the band committed to performing all original music, rooted in authenticity, resilience, and raw life experience.

At the core of Higher Ground’s message is a powerful philosophy:

Live life fully. Embrace every moment. And no matter what life throws your way, transform it.

Turn the pain into purpose. Turn the setbacks into strength.
Make fertilizer out of the bad… but don’t spread it onto others.

That mindset fuels every lyric, every riff, and every performance.

Recognition

In 2021, Higher Ground earned a nomination for Best Rock Band of the Year at the JMA Awards—a testament to their growing influence and impact in the independent music scene.

If you haven’t seen Higher Ground yet… you’re already behind!

And the music?
Relentless. Electric. Addictive.

"HIGHER GROUND", Jacksonville Florida's Long Time Fan Favorite Rock n Roll Party Band is Always in High Demand every year , as the band is STILL CLIMBING THE CHARTS after the Amazing "JMA NASHVILLE MUSIC AWARD" Nominations on that Grand Old Opry Stages.

The band has SO MANY HITS , IT'S SIMPLY AMAZING STUFF , they play the Psychedelic Electric Grooves that has Fans Dancing All Night. If you REALLY WANT TO GROOVE , GRAB A FRIEND AND GRAB SOME TICKETS.

You'll Love the Instant Up lift in your day!

We keep THIS BAND in Constant Rotation in the Studios. No One Plays the Greasiest Chords known like "Higher Ground". The band has opened "ROCKVILLE DAYTONA" for "METALLICA".

This is the band to watch in 2026!

-Leon Jonjock / Red Rocket TV Productions / RebelTV on Roku / Stagelife Magazines

Hailing from Jacksonville, this long-time fan favorite isn’t just riding momentum—they’re owning it.

High-voltage energy that keeps fans moving from the first note to the final encore.

Watch them. Follow them. Experience them.

“HIGHER GROUND” — Jacksonville, Florida’s Ultimate Rock ‘n’ Roll Party Experience

The Band

Tim Westerwelle — Lead Vocals, Songwriter, Guitar
PJ Seitz — Bass
Jeff Peirson — Lead Guitar
Herold Marcho — Drums

Tim Westerwelle

Lead Vocals, Songwriter, Guitar

Front Man & Visionary Songwriter

Voice & Soul of the Band

Commanding Vocal Titan

Herold Marcho

Drum

Drumline Engine

Timekeeping Titan

Percussive Force of Nature

Jeff Peirson

Lead Guitar

Riff Architect

Lead Guitar Virtuoso

Master of the Sonic Storm

PJ Seitz

Bass

Rhythm Engine

Bassline Commander

Thunder Bass Warlord

Interview

Watch here....

In August 2024 ETOPIA Festival did their first pilot event, a live streamed, live music video filming kind of event. Higher Ground was one of the bands that helped us make this happen. In part one, Heidzalyn interviews Higher Ground to find out what they have been up to since we saw them last in August and see their reactions to their live music video for their song Diamonds in the Rough.

Article

The Jam Report

Higher Ground was originally started back in 1998 by singer/Songwriter Tim Westerwelle. Tim has always been a huge fan of Jim Morrison and the Doors, you can hear the influence in his songs. The songs are about real life experiences and lessons learned along the musical journey of his life.

Read Article here......

Stages That Tell the Story

Higher Ground has brought their high-energy, soul-driven rock to iconic stages across the country, including:

Welcome to Rockville – Daytona Beach, FL
Whisky a Go Go – Los Angeles, CA
Jack Rabbits – Jacksonville, FL
Eclipse – Jacksonville, FL
1904 Music Hall – Jacksonville, FL
Underbelly – Jacksonville, FL
Hangar 7 – Jacksonville, FL
The West End Trading Co. – Sanford, FL
Brass Mug – Tampa, FL

Each stage, each city, each crowd—another chapter in a journey built on connection and undeniable energy.

Higher Ground isn’t just a band—it’s a movement.
A reminder that no matter where you’ve been, you can rise, transform, and create something powerful from it.

Dean and Linda Krause
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada

Higher Ground is a solid standing room only band that we first saw at the Whisky a Go Go. Their lyrics and sound are way beyond the fundamentals of great rock n roll and are taken to the highest level. Since first hearing them we have seen them six times travelling over 4,000 kilometres for each and plan on keeping doing it!

Red Rocket TV Productions / RebelTV on Roku

ACKSONVILLE'S HOTTEST MUSIC FOR A DECADE , "HIGHER GROUND" HAS A STRONG FOLLOWING , EVERYONE WANTS TO SEE THEM , AMAZING SOUND , AWESOME JAMS , AND CAN'T WAIT TO GO SEE THEM AGAIN!

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