Widespread Panic, what can I say, I love this band. I first heard them as a freshman in college. My first show was November 2, 1992 at the Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill, NC. I was blown away. Aside from their original songs that flowed one into the next, they peppered in songs from Neil Young, Van Morrison, Traffic and the Talking Heads. I would soon learn that these were part of their repertoire, really staples, of many shows to come.

Coming home from one of the best concerts I had seen at that point in my life, I thought to myself, "the Dead are great, but this is a band with some soul and young enough to have future that could surprise us constantly. At the time they were touring in what seemed like an endless road trip. I thought, that this was good way to promote their albums. I would soon realize that the albums were a good way to promote their tours! 1992 had 142 shows (including a live radio appearance).

In the years to come, their tours fell into a patern of areas in the US, but not routine at all. There were several annual stops such as Oak Mountain in Pelham, Alabama (outside of Birmingham), Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado (outside Denver), and Atlanta for New Years eve (they hold the record for the most consecutive sold out shows at 17, Bruce Springsteen and Madonna are next with 3 each).

Living in the Southeast, just about anyone interested in live music knows of or has seen Widespread at some point. Their shows are noticeable to passers by. The parking lot (the lot) scene is one that for me surpasses any. No matter which city you are in, inevitably, you will run into someone you knew or met at a previous show. Walking along about every third car you pass has a crowd with multiple coolers and a live show of their choice playing. I find myself hanging around groups listening to 1997 and 1998 shows. They were really hitting their stride. New songs were being written and it seemed as though the party would last all night, every night.

Sadly, no good thing can last forever. In 2002 Michael Houser, lead guitar and nick named Panic because of his shy nature, was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer. The diagnoses was bleak, yet Michael wanted to continue on with his passion, making and playing music with the guys who gave him the courage to step on stage. In August of that year, he passed away. There was an outpouring of emotion from fans the country over. His unique guitar licks and quirky time (often referred to as the honest tune with a lingering lead), were unlike any other sound I've heard. His songs could be gentle and sweet and then could do a 180 and become loud, hard rock, enough to give Pearl Jam or Nirvana a run for their money. That song writing could never be duplicated.

However, his desire to not have his eminent death be enough to "stop the train", he worked closely with long time friend and former band mate of Widespread's keyboardist Jojo, George McConnell. George toured with them on Mikey's final shows along with Randal Bramblett (Traffic's saxophonist). The two of them worked to take over and did exactly what was needed, gave enough time and continuity to the tours that they didn't fall apart after Mikey's passing.

In 2004, the band took a much needed "year off". They releases several new albums that year, recorded at the House Blues in Myrtle Beach, SC. Among them was an all acoustic set titled "Uber Cobra". George showed his chops as a flat picker on this format. This was nice change and showed the band had not stopped evolving. In the past when an acoustic set was played (the Sit and Ski tour in the Winter of of 1996), Mikey opted for the electric, albeit toned down but still electric.

When they returned from the time off, they opened up with three nights at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. It was the hottest ticket around. With so much time elapsing since the last time we had a chance to see them, everyone was hungry to get their fill of the band that drives them and keeps pushing the envelope. And these shows did not disappoint. George must have spent the entire 15 months off rehearsing endlessly. His knowledge of songs widened and his technique and time improved greatly. Many fans of the band can be critical when listening and make fun of a bad lick hear or off key note there. George had done his best, but never failed to slip one off key change into a set. To his credit though, he had big shoes to fill in many of our eyes, and with that, everyone cut him some slack. His return however surprised me along with many others in the audience.

They began playing songs not heard since prior to 2002. New songs were coming into the landscape, and they were good new songs. This group seemed to have fallen into a dark place and emerge with a smile and new purpose.

However, like I said before a good thing can't last forever. In 2006, my wife and I embarked on a 10 day tour of California stopping off at 6 Panic shows along the way. Through out the trip I kept getting calls from my friend who had gone to Ole Miss with George and knew the editor of the Hones Tune magazine well. Rumors were boiling that George's relationship with the band and some band mates in particular were coming to a head. Discussions about drug use and drinking swirled. I was asked 3 or 4 times by my friend home in North Carolina about what's going on with George and had I heard anything from the scene out in California. I didn't understand these questions at the time, because George was shredding it up! He was nailing song after song and the final show of our west coast run at the Greek Theatre in Berkley was fantastic.

Upon my return, it was noted that George had been kicked out. An incident with Dave Schools the bassist, pushed it over the edge. The next show I saw in Portsmouth, Virginia (which is a cool venue by the way) featured Sam Holt, Mike Houser's former guitar tech, filling in for the vacant spot. He was great, but the questions continued about what had become of George. To be honest, at that point though, Sam sounded so good, I would have been fine to have him stay up there on stage.

Before long, Jimmy Herring arrived and it was just what the doctor ordered. He had been my pick to replace Mikey from the beginning. He has played with the Allman Brothers, Phil Lesh and Friends, the Dead and got his start with Col. Bruce and the Aquarium Rescue Unit. He has been able to replicate and still put his signature stamp on any bands' songs. He is sounding as close to Mikey without being exactly like him. The sound is strong and very good.

Well those are some thoughts for this article. Look for future articles to come and please send a note if you would like to discuss these or any related topics in the future.

Bryan