Widespread Panic is a jam rock band that rose to popularity in Athens, Georgia, during the 90s. Their music is categorized by sharp but decisive guitar, strong vocals, and an achieved sound that is catchy on every record.
Founding guitarist, Michael Houser, tragically passed away in 2001. After that, Panic went through a handful of replacement guitarists to fill Mikey’s shoes. None of which having a good enough fit, the band continued to search until 2006, when they found Jimmy Herring.
Herring notably played with The Allman Brothers, Phil Lesh & Friends, and The Derrek Trucks Band before joining up with Widespread. Herring has immense experience and feel for a guitar, as he has been playing since he was 13.
Herring’s guitar sound and playing style was the spitting image of Housers, and he fit right in with the heavily jam centered play style. Adding his own unique spin to older songs, Herring served as a seemingly perfect fit for the guys in Widespread Panic.
Since he joined in 2006, Herring has been rocking shows at venues, amphitheatres, and arenas all around the country for nearly two decades. Herring’s old age and battle with health complications have led to him stepping down from the band temporarily.
Herring has stage 1 throat or tonsil cancer, and in order to get treatment and recover, he is not able to play and travel as normal. He has a positive prognosis and is expected to return in the future. In the meantime, guitarist Nick Johnson is stepping on stage and playing in place of Jimmy.
I was actually at the last show Jimmy played before his announced hiatus, and it was apparent that he left everything out there and made it count. Giving it his all, Jimmy played three nights in Atlanta at the Fox Theatre for New Years. About a week after this show, Herring made it public that he planned on stepping down.
Jimmy’s is often accredited with the nickname “The Wizard” as his long grey hair and beard fit the look. Hopefully Jimmy will be on his feet again soon in order to get back up there and melt faces with Widespread Panic in the coming months. Widespread Panic has an incredibly deep catalog of studio and live albums to check out and get a taste for their music.
