Widespread Panic to be honored by Georgia Music Hall of Fame
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Seven new names will be added to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Saturday Sept. 20, one of which has a name of something people typically want to avoid.
And the inductee is … Widespread Panic
• Who else is being inducted? | No strings on this Georgia couple's honor
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Why they are being honored
Being from Athens helps; but being an Athens band that’s made Pollstar magazine’s Top 40 tours of the year for the past 10 years certainly beefs up the jam-rockers’ standings. The bonus? Of their reported 2,374 shows, the 22-year-old band claims to have
What they have to say about it
“You know, our biggest accomplishment, I think, is being the same guys that have been hanging together for over 20 years,” lead singer John Bell said. “But since we’re talking official accomplishments, you know, this is pretty unique. Pretty great. We’re getting to join with some folk we’ve looked up to over the years — from Ray Charles to R.E.M. And there’s not a lot these days that penetrate our little cynical minds, that make us happy or proud. But this makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. … Looking at the list of the other inductees (Ludacris, Hamp Swain, Fred and Dinah Gretsch, Keith Sweat and the late Dottie Rambo), I’m very humbled to be in that company.”
What may surprise you about them
Though many look to Bell’s band to “relax” to, his favorite thing to “veg out on” isn’t music at all. “This might sound weird, but I listen to the comedy channels on Sirius Radio. That takes some nerve, comedy does. It’s very reminiscent of the way we approach things as far as trying as passionately as possible to entertain; and if you’re lucky, there’s a revelation or two that comes across, without trying too hard.”
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