ATHENS, GA (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Widespread Panic will be inducted into the
Georgia Music Hall of Fame at the 30th Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards
Show on Saturday, September 20th in Atlanta, GA. The show will
broadcast live on Georgia Public Broadcasting and will include a special
performance from the band. Past inductees include Georgia musicians
including Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, R.E.M., and the Allman Brothers
Band as well as industry professionals such as music attorney Joel Katz
and record label owner Antonio "L.A." Reid. "Sharing this honor… with
so many of our greatest musical influences, is something I'm sure none
of the Band members imagined when we first started making music
together. September 20th is going to be a truly special day for the
entire Widespread Panic Family," says John Bell, vocalist and founding
member of Widespread Panic.
Widespread Panic was founded in Athens, GA in 1986 and has since become
a national touring force, the band has sold 3 million albums and played over
2,374 shows over their career. Despite thousands of concerts, the band
has managed to never perform the same set list twice. The band released
their 10th studio album, Free Somehow, in February 2008 via their own
Widespread Records and has a catalogue of 19 albums to date that
includes 8 live albums and 1 compilation. Widespread Panic is currently
on the road on their Summer 2008 tour, which kicked off with their 7th
headlining performance at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. In
addition to Bonnaroo, the band has headlined almost every major festival
in the US including Lollapalooza, 10,000 Lakes, Rothbury, Austin City
Limits, Jazz Aspen, Vegoose, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage
Festival. Their incomparable live show has earned Widespread Panic
attendance records across the country. This June, the Mayor of Denver,
CO declared June 27 "Widespread Panic Day" in the City and County of
Denver marking Widespread Panic's 32nd sold out show at Red Rocks
Amphitheatre- more than any other band in history.
Widespread Panic utilizes their large success to give back to the
community. Widespread Panic has played an active role in the Georgia
music community, most notably playing annual concerts that benefit
"Tunes for Tots," an organization dedicated to support music education
in Georgia area schools. To date, the concerts have raised over
$350,000. In addition, the band recently sponsored a home in New
Orleans' Lower 9th Ward through the Make It Right foundation which
inspired fans to spearhead a house of their own, "The House that
Widespread Panic Fans Built." Their fans have also come together to form
Panic Fans for Food, a volunteer organization that holds food drives at
shows to benefit the local food bank in that market. To date, PFFF have
collected over $70,000, 13 tons of food in 28 cities. Widespread Panic
charitable contributions also include John Bell's annual Hannah's
Buddies Charity Golf Classic that raises money for Spinal Muscular
Atrophy research.
