Widespread Panic is a Rare Beast

Widespread Panic of Georgia has quickly established themselves as one of the country’s premier jam bands since their formation in 1986. Influenced by Southern rock, blues-rock, progressive rock and funk music genres; Widespread Panic has amassed an extensive fan base over time with record sellout performances at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison Colorado as well as State Farm Arena Atlanta.

Sense of Community

As other famous jam bands such as Grateful Dead or Phish, Widespread Panic relied heavily on improvisation to produce music that sounded different each night – making their concerts seem magical and keeping fans coming back for more! This helped make Widespread Panic concerts something fans looked forward to attending each time around.

After the death of founding guitarist Michael Houser from cancer in 2002, it could have marked the end of the band. Instead, however, they kept going, adding George McConnell from Mississippi roots band Beanland as well as altering their sound by adding jazz, New Orleans R&B, and funk elements into it.

Widespread Panic has continued to tour relentlessly, selling out shows and amassing an enormous fan base without significant radio airplay or commercial promotion. Their latest album, Free Somehow, shows that Widespread Panic is continuing its own identity while remaining beloved to fans – each show treating like an extended family reunion complete with friendly introductions, group hugs and exuberant cheering filling the arena.

The Music

Die-hard fans feel an immediate sense of camaraderie when arriving at a show. Many wear creative bootleg t-shirts or have amassed an extensive collection of band hat pins; soon into the night, stories from years spent following their favorite band across tours are often shared among crowd members.

Widespread Panic passes the true test of any jam band by producing exceptional music on this evening, which Widespread Panic does with success.

As The band was originally founded in Athens, Georgia in 1986 by vocalist John Bell, bassist Dave Schools and late guitarist Michael Houser (deceased), their collaboration produced nine studio albums over three decades. Along the way they amassed an immense fanbase that included multiple sell-out performances at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater as well as major festivals like Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza ACL & Outside Lands to name just a few. Now featuring John Bell with drummer Todd Nance on drums & Duane Trucks as well as keyboardist/vocalist Domingo Ortiz (from former). Additionally they welcome new guitarist George McConnell for continued success!

The Band Members

Widespread Panic is an extraordinary band, one of those rare examples of true grass-roots music which managed to surpass all odds and create its own path. They did so without radio airplay or major industry backing to become one of the most acclaimed jam bands in America.

Athens, GA-based band The Consort was first formed during the mid to late ’80s by John Bell, Michael Houser (deceased), and Dave Schools as a three-piece. Later they added percussionist Domingo Ortiz, bassist Todd Nance and keyboardist John Hermann.

Over time, Panic released numerous albums and toured extensively – breaking attendance records at Red Rocks Amphitheater, State Farm Arena in Atlanta, UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans and Oak Mountain Amphitheatre in Birmingham – while always remaining true to themselves and their fans – playing over 300 shows annually!

The Final Words

Widespread Panic has sold out Philips Arena more times than any other act – an impressive feat that would be difficult for any other band or performer in Georgia State Capitol’s halls of power, which are home to politicians, pundits, bureaucrats, and backbenchers alike.

James Ellroy’s latest novel is an exciting macho-noir tale set in 1950s Los Angeles. Freddy Otash, a private investigator and shakedown man for Confidential magazine, finds himself trapped in purgatory after failing to confess all his wrongdoings through writing them down.

Otash finds solace in his afterlife among numerous celebrities and politicians, including Jack Kennedy, Liberace, Rock Hudson, California rapist Caryl Chessman (executed at San Quentin in 1960), doomed teen idol James Dean. Following an intense duel between Destiny and Destinee during “Saint Ex,” and an unforgettable rendition of Tom Petty’s “You Wreck Me”, Schools and JoJo concluded their second set by spelling out two new words with each encore song in their encore set finale set – what was truly remarkable was their second set finale which concluded with two new words for every encore song they sang!