Widespread Panic Celebrates JoJo At Nashville’s Ryman

Last night marked the 22nd anniversary of keyboardist JoJo Hermann’s first show with Widespread Panic. On that fateful night at the Georgia Theatre in the band’s hometown of Athens, GA back in 1992; the band debuted a new original called “Dream Song.” On Thursday night at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Widespread Panic tipped their proverbial hat towards JoJo by dusting off “Dream Song.”

[Photo by Ian Rawn]

Earlier in the day, the band and crew were treated to a surprise performance by George Thorogood, who tackled Hank Williams’s “Lost Highway” in the mostly empty venue. The first set saw the return of Warren Zevon’s “Carmelita” for its first performance of 2014. Widespread Panic also busted out “Counting Train Cars” -which had been on the shelf since January 29, 2012 -as part of the opening stanza. The second set featured a fine mix of originals and covers including the band’s takes on “The Ballad of John and Yoko” by The Beatles and The Guess Who’s “No Sugar Tonight / New Mother Nature.” Two relatively short sets were followed by a three-song encore that featured the aforementioned “Dream Song,” “Surprise Valley” and a cover of Neil Young’s ”

John Bell and Co. finish off the second Wood Tour tonight at the Ryman before heading to the Dominican Republic for Panic En La Playa.

Check out the setlist from last night’s show:

Set One: From the Cradle, Can’t Get High, Pleas, Who Do You Belong To?, Counting Train Cars^, Chunk of Coal, Carmelita^^, Space Wrangler > Stop Breakin’ Down Blues (48 mins)

Set Two: Pilgrims > The Ballad of John and Yoko, Old Joe, Trouble, Degenerate, Ride Me High > I’m Not Alone, Tall Boy, No Sugar Tonight / New Mother Nature (58 mins)

Encore: Dream Song^^^, Surprise Valley, Time Fades Away (20 mins)

Notes: ^ LTP 01/29/12 Atlanta; ^^ LTP 04/12/3 Chicago
^^^ First ‘Dream Song’ was played at JoJo’s first show 22 years ago tonight

[Setlist via PanicStream]