Widespread Panic

"Late to panic as I am only 21 years old but I am as big of d fan as the rest of you. Saw my first shows in Charleston 23’ and have my 3 nights GA for my hometown of Boston. See y’all there. Started with recent shows, fell in love - just finished exploring houser era. God does he have a special sound. I gotta say Herring does such a fucking good job of filling in. Really respect JB with that pick, also no one seems to mention this but I feel like Warren Haynes would have been a phenomenal replacement. He is more similar to Mikey in my opinion with the way he weaves his guitar. That sort of technique is hard to find, and hard to explain. But I agree, this return is way better than I expected. I guess I’ll have to listen to Herrings rise. "

"Been listening to all the widespread shows pre-2005 and yes the guitar is different then what we’re use to. But I think it sounds pretty good. Looking forward to jimmy in 2006 but this is a pretty good show. Nice not to have a 30 minute drum solo. "

"after hearing other shows from this tour i think this show is quite underrated! the boys are definately back!... wonderin>drivin>2ndskin>drivin was sick! a for sure pick to start off the collection... ATTA WAY BOYS!"

" The opening set was funky, Could not see the show, but I revisit it in spirit every time I pop in a set!!!! Loved the encore."

"Maybe my expectations were too HIGH for Hotlanta but the boys were back when they hit Raleigh, that is the band I have loved and followed for over a decade. Keep up the good work and we`ll see you in Asheville. Rock on Panic!!!!!"

"WOW. Wow, and Wow. Would love to hear the show from the Tower Theatre as well. Every band should do this - WOW. Panic has never sounded better....glad our boys rested up for a year to give us this!"

"I`m NUTS about Second Skin, just nuts."

"Simply irresistable! an amazing show, great work boys. i`m anxiously waiting, shakin` at the knees for the 2 night stand in Raleigh. I remember the 2003 show, mcconnel as a rookie. after the 3 night opener it`s clear mcconnel has finally let out the beast inside. he brings out the mickey in all of us. g`job boys"

"The whole band is GREAT,I thanks those who give us this opp. to enjoy what we couldnt see.To those negative remarks from folks heres an idea,do`nt buy a ticket,leave for us who LOVE Panic, Guys just keep doin your thang"

"I must say that Widespread Rules once again. Last New Years was definately the saddest that the boys weren`t around but now everything is looking up again. Don`t go off of tour again! We LOVE you guys!"

"thanks for coming back, your just in time..."

"2 Things to say: By George I think He`s got it! I voted for JOJO!!!!! ;) "

"nice work boys. nothin but panic originals all show up to use me and cts, but damn good to see you`re back. keep the energy high! and save a little for that sole fla. show. see you in tally."

"An incredible gift of music (once again) from nugs.net - one of the saviors of webmusic, and the messiah-like return of WSP couldn`t be more timely. Funny mix of tunes, new old and extremely familiar, with GM`s mad guitar, JoJo`s licks, Schoolbombs and JB`s pipes & rhythm jumping out of my speakers, which don`t do justice to Todd & Sunny. Boys are rusty here and there, but tasty everywhere. I know they`ll blossom and progress from show to show (as they did in 03) until we meet again in NYC. For all of you debaters, George-haters, and believers that Mikey is second to only the Creator, I point you to the wise words the Houser family, still posted on the WSP website: Michael would be absolutely devastated if the band did not continue as Widespread Panic. He, and all of them, have worked for 20 years to make it what it is today. They have a history, a legacy, and a loyal fan following that will stick with them through this transition. We wish the best for the entire Widespread Panic family - the band, the music and the fans - and look forward to great shows for many more years. As Mikey would say, "We hope to see you there." "

"Don`t matter who`s driven the ice cream truck. The children still come running from blocks away. And they feel good."

"Great to see the panic getting on board. We all love to get the latest shows, and especially the ones that we have attended. I would much rather the band get $15 bones and me get the shows I want. Its a win win sitiation. Thanks and see ya`ll on tour."

"For the last time, George is not trying to replace Mikey! It is all about chemistry and intention, and if you were truly dialed in, you would get it. Pleas let them do what they do. They get it, trust me."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you...Another time of my life centered around good people and good music. I know several people want the impossible and I think it takes balls just to try and keep them all happy. Fact of the matter is Mikey is gone, but he lives on through the music. If you can`t find the wonder and magic that the boys are providing in Mikey`s absence, it is your own fault. Power on to George and the boys. The music is not the same but the magic is, and all of it makes me feel great! The shows in Atlanta provided everything I wanted, music I know, music I haven`t heard in awhile, and brand new stuff too. I can`t wait to catch them again outside at Starlight in KC, one of George`s first venues without Mikey. ROCK ON!"

"ok guys ...enough!-George is the man and he is awesome.yeah,he has had some growing pains,but he has some huge shoes to fill.Quit the "master of the obvious" argument that george is not mikey.he is not.everyone knows this.so accept him for who and what he is.he is widespread panic.he has acccepted his role and he`s got some balls to get out there and play,knowing full well that he is being critiqued by a bunch of inferior musicians who think they know what they are talking about.long live mikey and here`s to the future with george.he is the one they chose and if you have any respect you will quit your crying and move on with the ever evolving music of the best band in the world."

"I think George is doing a good job...The thing is, there was something special about the way Mikey played...something different, impossible to put into words...George will never be able to bring that to the fans again because he`s not Mikey... Nobody will ever be able do that...so let`s hope that George keeps improving and one day gives us something special of his own... "

"One major point all of you anti-George folks are missing is that George was chosen as Mikey`s replacement by MIKEY!! Regardless of sound and your urges to have someone who just copies Mikey, George fits with the band and was who Mikey wanted to play for him. Anyone who appreciates Panic`s music should understand that the whole point of a jamband is that the music evolves and changes over time and even from show to show. Mikey`s death and George stepping in marked a major evolution in the band and you should expect the music to change with it. If have problem with George, pull out your old tapes and and you can listen to Mikey to your hearts content. And hopefully youll then learn to appreciate the on-going. perpetual motion of panic`s music when you go to a show and listn to George. "

"george tears up the solo on first snow, go panic!!!"

"i too miss mikey, but i must say "stop cry`in over spilled milk and appreciate the new line up". i think george played excellent at this show. as much as i love the fender tone of mikey, i have grown to love the style george and his gibson give to panic. great three night run. can`t wait for red rocks... "

"I saw all 3 shows and thought the BAND was great! People should appreciate this band more as they are true Rock N`Rollers! Quit being negative and appreciate George and the rest of the band. JOJO Bust It Big was awesome! Keep it up! See you in New York! Second set on Friday was great with Wrangler and Pigeons. To the boys from Pitt - thanks!"

"I sure do miss Mikey. Can george try a Telecaster?"

"ok folks, maybe my ears are really messed up but i am not hearing the same thing you guys are hearing. case and point is the holden opener, it sounds like geo f-ed up on the start and tripped all over himself. it sounds like another band is covering widespread and doing it badly. all you folks who think the band is returning to mid 90`s form are in some serious denial. sure george is doing his own thing up there but it sounds like ear bleeding torture. the band is widespread panic, not widespread meets beanland, come on guys practice or something. oh yeah, thanks for the free downloads!"

"hello"

"I am proud of the Panic. I have been seeing shows since I paid $1 every Monday night at the Uptown Lounge in Athens in the mid-80`s. No one will ever replace Mikey and we should never try to replace him because it is impossible. I am as hard core old school panic as anyone, but we must embrace the growth of the band. George is doing an incredible job and his role with the band is evolving and growing -- too many fans are looking for a replacement for Mikey (which could not and will not ever happen). Let`s rejoice in what the band has grown in to. I had as much fun (almost) in Atlanta for these shows than I had in Athens, at David Carrell`s farm in Monroe, or the cave show in Dahlonega. Just keep growing and we will grow with you!! Thanks for all the years."

"Mikey had his own style,but he is gone.no one will ever play like him again.does anyone really want george to imitate mike?i do not.George has his own style and I happen to like his style.He is doing a great job.Keep rockin` george-don`t let negative vibes get to you.folks that are having a hard time adjusting are in the minority.Most people think you have added a great new feeling to the shows and the playing is getting stronger every show.You are a gift to our favorite band.bw "

"IF this guy had actually ponied up and went all three nights like your`s truely than he would have witnessed what has become the finest Rock and Roll band on the Planet. No-one will ever play like Mikey, George is not trying to play like Mikey. What he is doing is bringin his own down home mis`sipi railin blues guitar playin to the party and it sounds as I have coined the new phrase "Plasmatic"!!!"