Friday Pilgrim

“I want to know what passion is. I want to feel something strongly.” ― Aldous Huxley, Brave New World

Guest blogger this Friday comes from my son Joe of Denver, Colorado. He loves music and no surprise today is all about one of his favorite artists. So sit back, listen and enjoy this lazy Friday afternoon.

And stay inspired my friends.

pil·grim ˈpilɡrəm/
noun
1. a person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.
synonyms: worshiper, devotee, believer
verb
1. travel or wander like a pilgrim.

Widespread Panic is an American rock band from Athens, GA. 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. Michael Houser and George McConnell have also played lead guitar for the band.

Since their inception in Athens, GA in 1986, Widespread Panic has risen to elite status among American jam bands. Following in the steps of other Southern rock jam bands such as The Allman Brothers, they have influences from the Southern rock, blues-rock, progressive rock, funk and hard rock genres.

They are frequently compared to other jam band "road warriors" such as the Grateful Dead and Phish. Widely renowned for their live performances, as of 2013, they hold the record for number of sold out performances at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO at 48 and Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA at 20.

Michael Houser was a founding member of the band and played lead guitar. He passed away from pancreatic cancer on August 10th, 2002. He will be forever remembered as the defining guitar sound and transitional genius for Widespread Panic.

www.widespreadpanic.com