Widespread Panic’s Raves and Faves (Throwback Thursday)

September 18, 2014

Today we revisit the July/August 2011 issue of Relix. The cover story on Widespread Panic includes a sidebar in which the band members share their favorite moments from over the years…

Santa Fe, NM 4/22/92

JOHN BELL // VOCALS/RHYTHM GUITAR

Favorite Song
It’s almost always one we’ve really truly raised from the ground up collectively. An old tune that reflects that is “Contentment Blues.” We were all sitting around and wrote that thing in the kitchen together. “Papa’s Home” was written the same way.

Favorite Show
The very first show! And the first show that we played at Tipitina’s [7/31/90] – that definitely was a big deal.

Favorite Tour
It’s kind of a blur, but when we did that spring tour semi-acoustically in the ski towns. [Sit-n-Ski, 1996]

Favorite Album
I really don’t have one, so as a tie-breaker, I’ll say Til the Medicine Takes because of the album cover.

Bozeman, MT, 7/10/99

DOMINGO “SUNNY” ORTIZ // PERCUSSION

Favorite Song
I would have to say “Space Wrangler.” Also: “Don’t Tell the Band,” “Dyin’ Man,” “One Arm Steve,” “Her Dance Needs No Body,” “Saint Ex,” “Thin Air (Smells Like Mississippi),” “Fishing” and “May Your Glass Be Filled” – just to name a few.

Favorite Show
Madison Square Garden [10/31-11/01/03] and being onstage with Carlos Santana at the Greek Theatre [10/14/01].

Favorite Tour
H.O.R.D.E. ¹⁹⁹²

Favorite Album
Til the Medicine Takes

San Francisco 11/28/97 with Merl Saunders

JOHN “JOJO” HERMANN // KEYBOARDS/VOCALS

Favorite Song
I never get tired of “Chilly Water.”

Favorite Show
New Year’s in 2000 was really special. Definitely one of the highlights of my life was October 30th ²⁰¹⁰ when Dr. John sang “Dream Warrior” and “Right Place Wrong Time” with the band.

Favorite Tour
Sit-n-Ski ¹⁹⁹⁶

Favorite Album
Space Wrangler

Charlotte, NC, 7/19/98

DAVE SCHOOLS // BASS/VOCALS

Favorite Song
“Pilgrims” – it’s one I’ll never, ever get tired of playing. And for me, I take it really personally if we drop the ball. I feel disappointed when that song doesn’t have the emotional impact that I feel it should.”

Favorite Show
Panic in the Streets. [4/18/98 – 100,000 people attended the free Light Fuse Get Away CD release party in streets of Athens.] The fact that all of the things that had gone on for months leading up to that appearance worked in tandem to leave a good taste in everyone’s mouth sticks out as one of my favorite shows.

Favorite Tour
This sounds really self-serving and like it might even be bullshit, but the most recent short little spring tour.

Favorite Album
Light Fuse Get Away. I think that’s a really good starting point for people. If we just go studio: Everyday.

Morrison, CO 6/02

TODD NANCE // DRUMS/VOCALS

Favorite Song
“Space Wrangler”

Favorite Show
The first one would have to be right up there. As of late, the 25th anniversary shows in Athens and Atlanta were really a lot of fun [2/10-11, 2/14/11].

Favorite Tour
The first H.O.R.D.E. was a blast [in 1992].

Favorite Album
Everyday