#widespread panic

Song Review: Widespread Panic with Duane Betts - “Mountain Jam” (Live, July 5, 2026)

With two men named after Duane Allman on the stage and “Mountain Jam” coming through the amps, something remarkable happened at a Widespread Panic concert in Wyoming - Widespread Panic didn’t sound like Widespread Panic.

With Duane Betts (son of Dickey) guesting on guitar, the expanded Panic played an extended version of the Allman Brothers Band’s “Mountain Jam” with their own Duane Trucks driving the song in a way that would’ve pleased Uncle Butch.

Following the contours of the Allmans’ “Mountain,” but leaning heavily on the “Jam,” solos go from Duane Trucks to keyboardist Jojo Hermann to guitarist Nick Johnson, who plays with more of his own personality that he does on Panic regulars. And when he and Betts tangle on the swaggering outro that marches along on Duane Trucks’ hammering, the ghosts of Duane Allman’s band are present on one of the only Widespread Panic recordings that is not immediately identifiable as a Widespread Panic recording.

Grade card: Widespread Panic with Duane Betts - “Mountain Jam” (Live - 7/5/26) - A

John Bell Channels Neil Young on Widespread Panic’s Version of “Don’t be Denied”

- New video meres practice/performance footage into single rendition

Backstage at Red Rocks, John Bell sung almost exactly like Neil Young while guitarist Nick Johnson channeled Warren Haynes as Widespread Panic rehearsed “Don’t be Denied.”

It’s Bell’s uncanny aping of Young that’s most striking on a the freshly released video that blends the band’s June 28 practice and performance into a single song.

By the time they take the stage, the Panics sound unmistakably Widespread, with Bell singing more like himself, percussionist Sunny Ortiz’s adding his signature layer to the rhythm section and Jojo Hermann contributing a piano solo that strengthens the song’s country vibe.

In retrospect, it’s no surprise Bell can ape Young with the accuracy of a musical Rich Little. What is surprising is that Sound Bites was surprised when he first heard this, having never noticed the obvious vocal similarities.

Song Review(s): Widespread Panic - “Maggot Brain” → “Love Tractor” (Live, June 26, 2026)

The whole band is cookin’, but anyone who didn’t know Nick Johnson was filling in temporarily would be staggered to learn the news after taking in Widespread Panic’s June 26 rendition of “Maggot Brain.”

Handling lead-guitar duties while Jimmy Herring undergoes cancer treatment, Johnson seems as comfortable as a longtime member on this moody Funkadelic cover. Just as importantly, Johnson captures the essence of the instrumental, and the essence of Panic, while finding to express himself as well.

It was surely a daunting challenge in front of a sold-out Red Rocks, but Johnson pulled it off. And when drummer Duane Trucks signaled the segue to “Love Tractor,” the band transitioned flawlessly into the light, skittering melody, which immediately devoured previous number.

It’s quite the shift, but the just-released, pro-shot video proves it was not awkward in any way. And when Johnson conjures the spirit of Michael Houser on the outro, it’s clear he’s the right guy in the right place at the right time.

Grade card: Widespread Panic - “Maggot Brain” → “Love Tractor” (Live - 7/2/26) - A+/A-

The More Widespread Panic Changes, the More Widespread Panic Stays the Same

Consistency, thy name is Widespread Panic.

Through four decades, lineup changes and periods of ups and downs in the studio, the Panics have remained uncommonly the same on stage. That’s not to say the songbook hasn’t expanded and the music hasn’t evolved, but it is to say Widespread’s live sound of 2026 is identifiable as the same group behind the Panicky performances of the late-1980s.

This is underlined by the band’s generous, four-song livestream giveaway from its June 27 gig at Red Rocks.

Guitarist Nick Johnson, filling in for the ailing Jimmy Herring, who replaced George McConnell, who replaced Michael Houser, has what it takes to make “The Take Out,” an instrumental, sound as it should.

Then, there’s John Bell, the rhythm guitarist and singer whose voice is remarkably unchanged by time. Anyone with doubts needs only to cue up “Wondering,” “Little Kin” and “C. Brown” to assuage those feelings.

And though Duane Trucks plays drums differently than Todd Nance played drums, percussionist Sunny Ortiz is the thruline in Panic’s rhythmic propulsion. And the with co-founding bassist Dave Schools and almost-forever keyboardist Jojo Hermann chiming in, Widespread Panic still sounds like Widespread Panic and Widespread Panic still sounds like no other group.

Widespread Panic to Enter Colorado Music Hall of Fame as Honorary Coloradans

- “No other band is more deserving,” Gov. Jared Polis says

Widespread Panic is about to become the Colorado Music Hall of Fame’s first Honorary Coloradan inductee.

The Georgia-bred band will receive the honor during its June 27 concert at Red Rocks. The following night, it will play its record-holding 78th sellout show at the venue, a streak stretching back to 1996.

“Widespread Panic is the undisputed kings of Red Rocks and a household name in Colorado,” Gov. Jared Polis said, as reported by Westword.

“ … No other band is more deserving of the Colorado Music Hall of Fame’s inaugural Honorary Coloradan induction award.”

The Rocky Mountain state “is an inspiration in itself” and performing at Red Rocks “is a dream come true,” WSP’s singer and rhythm guitarist John Bell said.

“And being asked to join (late concert promoter) Bill Bass and many of our friends in Colorado Music Hall of Fame is one of the happiest surprises Widespread Panic will forever be humbled by,” he said.