Widespread Panic is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. The current lineup includes guitarist/singer John Bell, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Duane Trucks, percussionist Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz, keyboardist John "JoJo" Hermann, and guitarist Jimmy Herring. The band's original guitarist and sometime songwriter, Michael Houser, died of pancreatic cancer in 2002, and the original drummer, Todd Nance, left in 2016 and died in 2020.
Michael Houser was a founding member and lead guitarist of the band Widespread Panic. He appeared on seven studio albums during his 16-year tenure with the band from 1986 till 2002. He is also featured on 4 live albums by Widespread Panic as well as several archive releases, live video concerts and compilations. Two solo albums by Houser were released posthumously.
Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit is a jazz fusion group founded by Col. Bruce Hampton. The band gained popularity in the Atlanta club scene in the early 1990s and went on to tour with the first H.O.R.D.E. Tour. During their formative years, the band was composed of Bruce Hampton, Oteil Burbridge, Jimmy Herring, Jeff Sipe, Matt Mundy, and Count M'Butu. Jeff Mosier and Charlie Williams were members of the band during the early years, but left to pursue other endeavors. Although the band was never commercially successful, their combination of bluegrass, rock, Latin, blues, jazz, funk, and impeccable chops became a template for future bands.
Gov't Mule is an American Southern rock jam band, formed in 1994 as a side project of the Allman Brothers Band by guitarist Warren Haynes and bassist Allen Woody. Fans often refer to Gov't Mule simply as Mule.
Jimmy Herring is the lead guitarist for the band Widespread Panic. He is a founding member of Aquarium Rescue Unit and Jazz Is Dead and has played with The Allman Brothers Band, Project Z, Derek Trucks Band, Phil Lesh and Friends, and The Dead.
Warren Haynes is an American musician, singer and songwriter. He is best known for his work as longtime guitarist with the Allman Brothers Band and as founding member of the jam band Gov't Mule. Early in his career he was a guitarist for David Allan Coe and The Dickey Betts Band. Haynes also is known for his associations with the surviving members of the Grateful Dead, including touring with Phil Lesh and Friends and the Dead. In addition, Haynes founded and manages Evil Teen Records.
Bruce Hampton was an American musician. He was a key figure in the Atlanta, Georgia music scene, mentoring numerous other musicians who became national stars. His own musical style was avant-garde, combining elements of jazz, fusion, southern rock and jam band styles.
Space Wrangler is the first studio album by the Athens, GA based band Widespread Panic. It was first released by a small Atlanta label, Landslide Records, on February 4, 1988. It was later reissued four times, the first two times by Capricorn Records/Warner Bros. Records, and, in 2001, by Zomba Music Group. Space Wrangler was reissued for the fourth time on vinyl for one day — July 15, 2014 — as a special reissue through Think Indie distribution, that was sold only at independent record stores.
Light Fuse, Get Away is the first live album released by the Athens, GA based band Widespread Panic. It was first released by Capricorn Records on April 12, 1998. It would later be re-released in 2001 by Zomba Music Group. The album was recorded over various concerts by the band in 1997. Pickin' Up The Pieces featured Branford Marsalis on saxophone and was recorded on September 7, 1997 in Boston.
David Allen Schools is a bass player and founding member of American rock band Widespread Panic. He is also a record producer, songwriter and journalist with articles published in a wide variety of music magazines. Schools lives in Sonoma County, California with his two dogs; when not on tour he likes to garden.
Panic in the Streets is a filmed document of Widespread Panic's April 18, 1998 concert/release party for the band's first live album Light Fuse Get Away. Filmed in the band's hometown of Athens, GA the 1998 concert marked one of the world's biggest CD release parties with an estimated 100,000 "Spreadheads" in attendance. The DVD "Panic in the Streets" includes footage from the downtown concert as well as classic footage from 1991 entitled Live from the Georgia Theatre. The DVD also includes the Billy Bob Thornton-directed video of the song "Aunt Avis" featuring Vic Chesnutt and Laura Dern.
Live from the Backyard is the live DVD concert of Athens, Georgia's Widespread Panic in Austin, Texas, on July 20, 2002. The DVD features over two hours of music as well as backstage footage and interviews with the band. The DVD was recorded less than a month after the final performance of lead guitarist Michael Houser, who would shortly die from pancreatic cancer. George McConnell, who would later officially succeed Houser, plays lead guitar throughout the performance but is credited on the DVD as a "special guest."
Valdosta 1989 is a complete concert by Athens, Georgia's Widespread Panic on CD. The 2 disc set is the second release from the Widespread Panic archives. The performance was recorded live at The Armory in Valdosta, Georgia on April 8, 1989. The live to two track recordings feature all original band members including late guitarist Michael Houser.
Huntsville 1996 is a live album by Athens, Georgia's Widespread Panic. The three disc set is the third release from the Widespread Panic archives. The performance was recorded live at Von Braun Civic Center Arena in Huntsville, Alabama on April 3, 1996. The multi-track recordings feature all original band members including late guitarist Michael Houser.
Curated and presented by Grammy Award-winning vocalist-songwriter and revered guitarist Warren Haynes, the Christmas Jam is a one-of-a-kind music marathon. Since its inception in 1988, the concert has provided an opportunity for the performing artists, audience and the local community to give back during the holiday season. Over the past 18 years, Haynes - an Asheville native - has worked closely with the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity.
Milwaukee, WI 1996 is a complete concert live album by Athens, Georgia's Widespread Panic. This show is the fourth release from Widespread Panic's Porch Songs project. This performance was recorded live at Modjeska Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 1, 1996. The two-track soundboard recording features all original band members including late guitarist Michael Houser.
History Lesson New Years 1997 is the seventh Archive release by Athens, Georgia's Widespread Panic. The performance was recorded live at the Fox Theater in Atlanta, Georgia on December 31, 1997. The multi-track recordings featured all original band members including late guitarist Michael Houser.
Oak Mountain 2001 – Night 2 is a live album by Athens, Georgia's Widespread Panic. This album features a multi-track recording of a performance by the band at Oak Mountain Amphitheater in Pelham, Alabama from 2001. The 3-disc set is the eighth multi-track release from the Widespread Panic Archives. The performance was recorded live on July 28, 2001. The album was released online and in local independent record stores on December 5, 2013 and is available on CD or as a digital download. The album features the six original members of the band: John Bell, John “JoJo” Hermann, Todd Nance, Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz, Dave Schools, and the late guitarist Michael Houser.
Oak Mountain 2001 – Night 3 is a live album by Athens, Georgia's Widespread Panic. This album features a multi-track recording of a performance by the band at Oak Mountain Amphitheater in Pelham, Alabama from 2001. The 3-disc set is the eighth multi-track release from the Widespread Panic Archives. The performance was recorded live on July 29, 2001. The album was released online and in local independent record stores on March 15, 2014 and is available on CD or as a digital download. The album features the six original members of the band: John Bell, John “JoJo” Hermann, Todd Nance, Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz, Dave Schools, and the late guitarist Michael Houser.
Todd Nance was an American musician. He was best known as the original drummer of Widespread Panic, a band he was a member of until his departure in 2016. He struggled with chronic illness for the remainder of his life, ultimately leading up to his death in 2020.
