2008 Woodie Awards
Widespread Panic performs on campus
Greg Rudy
Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: News
Southern rockers Widespread Panic proved yet again why they are the crowned kings of live music Wednesday evening with their three and a half hour performance at the Murphy Center.
Having been absent from MTSU's campus 7 years to the date, they left both dedicated and casual fans with the same impression: it was well worth the wait.
The Athens, GA based sextet arrived with a mission to inject Murfreesboro with their honest, driving southern-fried rock n' roll with the aid of New Orleans based jazz/funk quintet Galactic. For those who dismiss either band as happy hippie jambands, do your eardrums a favor and listen more closely when you get a chance.
If Michael Jordan had put aside his basketball and picked up a guitar, his name would be Jimmy Herring. An alumnus of Hollywood's Guitar Institute of Technology and Boston's Berklee School of Music, he is Widespread Panic's second lead guitarist since the death of original member Michael Houser.
Herring's credentials don't end on paper or his extensive resume which includes, but is not limited to the Allman Brothers Band, Jazz is Dead, and seminal improv-rock band the Aquarium Rescue Unit. His unassuming demeanor and stage presence are in sharp contrast to his pristine lead lines: sometimes soaring and atmospheric, often aggressive and blistering, always flawless to both trained and untrained ears.
His polished form provides perfect balance to lead singer John Bell's raspy vocals and John "JoJo" Hermann's honky-tonk piano style.
As if Widespread Panic's melody masters weren't quite enough to impress, the rhythm section comprised of drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz, and bassist Dave Schools did their best to crumble the foundations of the Murphy Center with the assistance of Galactic's legendary drummer, Stanton Moore. The rumbling thunder emanating from the stage during the drum and bass break could be felt through the arena's padded seating.
The band's 23 years of touring experience easily translates into what could be perceived as a psychic connection with their audience.
Having been absent from MTSU's campus 7 years to the date, they left both dedicated and casual fans with the same impression: it was well worth the wait.
The Athens, GA based sextet arrived with a mission to inject Murfreesboro with their honest, driving southern-fried rock n' roll with the aid of New Orleans based jazz/funk quintet Galactic. For those who dismiss either band as happy hippie jambands, do your eardrums a favor and listen more closely when you get a chance.
If Michael Jordan had put aside his basketball and picked up a guitar, his name would be Jimmy Herring. An alumnus of Hollywood's Guitar Institute of Technology and Boston's Berklee School of Music, he is Widespread Panic's second lead guitarist since the death of original member Michael Houser.
Herring's credentials don't end on paper or his extensive resume which includes, but is not limited to the Allman Brothers Band, Jazz is Dead, and seminal improv-rock band the Aquarium Rescue Unit. His unassuming demeanor and stage presence are in sharp contrast to his pristine lead lines: sometimes soaring and atmospheric, often aggressive and blistering, always flawless to both trained and untrained ears.
His polished form provides perfect balance to lead singer John Bell's raspy vocals and John "JoJo" Hermann's honky-tonk piano style.
As if Widespread Panic's melody masters weren't quite enough to impress, the rhythm section comprised of drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz, and bassist Dave Schools did their best to crumble the foundations of the Murphy Center with the assistance of Galactic's legendary drummer, Stanton Moore. The rumbling thunder emanating from the stage during the drum and bass break could be felt through the arena's padded seating.
The band's 23 years of touring experience easily translates into what could be perceived as a psychic connection with their audience.
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