 |
Bluest TapeA journey through the live catalog of the band all the way from Athens, GA, Widespread Panic with your hosts, Harvey Couch and Jeff Kollath.. Author: Harvey Couch, Jeff Kollath
A journey through the live catalog of the band all the way from Athens, GA, Widespread Panic with your hosts, Harvey Couch and Jeff Kollath. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Language: en Genres: Arts, Music, Performing Arts Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
144: New Year's 2025 Fox Theatre Recap & The Jimmy Herring Situation
Episode 144
Saturday, 10 January, 2026
In episode 144, hosts Harvey Couch and Jeff Kollath recap Widespread Panic's three-night New Year's run at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta (December 29-31, 2024) while addressing news that broke after recording: Jimmy Herring's health issues and Nick Johnson stepping in as guitarist.Important Prelude:Episode recorded January 6th, before Thursday's announcement about Jimmy being unable to tour. Nick Johnson confirmed as touring guitarist.Billy Strings' Statement: Billy revealed he was on standby for New Year's: "I came ready to play as much or as little as they needed me... Jimmy absolutely killed it... Nick Johnson is an absolute monster on the guitar and will handle the reins until Gandalf the Loud can get back in the saddle."Three Night Highlights:Night 1 - December 29:Billy joined for final portion of second setFishwater > Surprise Valley > Fishwater with tempo changesJimmy and Billy "played around each other" rather than traditional call-and-responseNight 2 - December 30:Dark and heavy second set themeJeff's critique: "Jack doesn't work in that second set spot" 17-minute Second Skin featured "slinky bass intro" from SchoolsNight 3 - New Year's Eve:Don't Be Denied acoustic: poignant as alwaysNICK JOHNSON DEBUT: Ribs and Whiskey, Tall Boy, Diner - "acquitted himself very well"War Pigs: Only second time ever playedParanoid: Third time ever (Halloween '87, Halloween '16, NYE '25)DISCO HIGHLIGHT: 11-minute version "right up there" with greatest everThe Nick Johnson Question:Background: Atlanta-based guitarist, played with Colonel Bruce Hampton, close friends with Duane TrucksHost Reactions:Harvey: hopes Nick "crushes it"Jeff: "Curious" about stage presence and gear setupJeff's wishlist: "I hope Nick refuses to play Cosmic Confidante and puts Stop-Go on his must-play list"Spring 2025 Tour:Riviera Maya (Jan), Austin (Feb), St. Augustine (Mar), Birmingham (Apr), Jazz Fest, Las Vegas (May), All Good Now Festival (June)Recommendations:Jeff:"I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not" (CNN documentary)Allman Betts Family Revival Tour clips with Amanda Shires (Nuggs/YouTube)Harvey:"A Year with C.S. Lewis" daily readings bookDry January with non-alcoholic Lagunitas IPAsNotable Quotes:"That's why you stick around to the end. You never saw anything like the other night." - Jeff"The one thing Billy Strings doesn't need is to join Widespread Panic." - JeffEpisode recorded on Mike Houser's birthday (January 6th). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
