Widespread Panic Information

By the time Widespread Panic released its ninth album, 2006's Earth To America Widespread Panic was made up of John Bell on vocals and guitar, John "JoJo" Hermann on keyboards and vocals, George McConnell on guitar and vocals, Todd Nance on drums, Domingo S. Ortiz on percussion, and Dave Schools on bass. The southern rock jam band Widespread Panic began in 1986 at the University of Georgia. Bell first met guitarist, vocalist, and band namesake Michael "Panic" Houser. A year later Dave Schools joined them and they recruited the remaining members.

Widespread Panic released their debut LP Space Wrangler in 1988. Their popularity peaked in the late 1990s/early 2000s and they still have a strong southern base. Playing as many as 250 shows a year Widespread Panic is known for playing American rock songs and wild concerts where they never repeat a set list.

Their improvisational style grew an extremely loyal fan base despite a lack of radio airplay. That following accounted for the sale of more than 3 million albums, including several live albums and live DVDs. Widespread Panic broke attendance records at some of the nation's most prestigious venues, and maintained a position on Pollstar's Top 50 tours of the year list for more than a decade. To celebrate the release of their first live album, Light Fuse, Get Away, Widespread Panic offered a free "CD release party" concert in the streets of hometown Athens. An estimated 100,000 fans descended on the town, transforming it into the largest CD release party in history.

Pancreatic cancer took the life of founding member Michael Houser on August 10, 2002. A friend, George McConnell, stepped in for Houser and the band continued, following Houser's wishes. The next few years were difficult for band but Widespread Panic emerged with a new sound and are still selling out venues, including two shows at Madison Square Garden.

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