JIMMY HERRING JOINS PANIC

george has moved on to further adventures???

A cryptical development indeed...

I rate this story poor because this is sucky news.

I would still rate it a 5 for fantastic though, because the band plays on.

I'd like to find out if this happening because of medical reasons, creative differences or the unwarranted pressure and criticism from a minority of the fanbase. Either way G$, walk on...and thanks for everythiing you have done for Widespread Panic and their fans.

Shocker

Will Jimmy Herring,please stand up!

I find this to be very upsetting because I really dug what George has done since he had stepped in. I am assuming Keane and their guitar tech will continue to sit in but will they add someone new??? I hope musicians stop leaving bands I like because this is like the forth time in the last month something like this has happened. I guess I will hold my breath and wait to see what the future brings.

I'm very sad today. I had heard rumors to expect this news soon. I wish George the best. I would prefer WSP take a break to respect the sound George created. It would also be respectful to fans to decrease ticket prices for one less man.

If you know where to look online, you'll find why he's leaving.

What the fuck? I finally get to see WSP and george fuckin leaves! Oh well. I don't think Al DiMeola would join. That would be some good shit rolled up tight !

Hopefully we can all let George leave in peace and Panic will start talking to Buckethead for '07. Besides, Schools is the main talent in the band. Let's all hope Dave stays healthy!

long live Panic, long live Sam Holt, hey hey my my, rock 'n roll will never die...

An "all time low" if you ask me. I think the writing's been on the wall since Keane and Holt have been playing on top of Gmac at the recent shows.

panic should retire. herman, schools and ortiz are awesome musicians but the whole allman brothers grungy southern rock voice of jb and the pointless jams make this band not worth a cent of mine. i was introduced to panic and phish at the same time and i made my choice and stick by it. houser wasnt even a great guitarist. george was much better. i dont know how many times ive heard mikey doing lame solos where he repeats 3 notes over and over. he is missed undoubtedly, but still just an ok guitarist. not to mention nance is a awful drummer. and the drummer makes the band

this is heartbreaking. i grew up in mississippi and am a fan of panic, largely because of my love of beanland back in the late eighties and early nineties. and while it will still be great to see jo jo and all the panic boys, george's introduction to the band renewed my interest in panic, and his departure will probably have a similar impact to the contrary. i'll miss ya george and look forward to whatever those new adventures might be. if it is his hand/wrist that's the problem, best wishes on the recovery. to the entire band, and most especially to george, play on, may your glass be filled, goodbye doretha!

see ya. i appreciate his effort but after 4 years he just didn't fit in.

Cant be happening!!!

What does that mean "if you know where to look online"? Where do we look? Is George sick?

Jimmy Herring will be onstage tonite!!!!
Cant wait to hear what this NEW band will sound like
If you go into this trying to compare the way two completely different guitar players sound you will sound like a hater. Panic with George is a different band than Panic with Mike, or Panic with Jimmy, or Panic with Keane and Sam. If you're just gonna hate, find a new band to be a fan of. I love the Grateful Dead, but i dont go to phil or bobby shows and get all pissed because Jerry aint there. Different band people, apples and oranges

??????????????????

woodsidej1 - all due respect, man, but you can't compare JB's vocals with greg allman...I'll go further to say you can't compare WP with the allman bros at all - just not the same level.

I like what McConnell brought to the band, though, bummer news.

thanks george!!!!!!
Panic please don't let john keane be in the band.
i hope yall get some one who can get as wild as george did.

"It would also be respectful to fans to decrease ticket prices for one less man."

That's one of the dumber things I've seen recently

If the band wanted you to know why, they'd tell you.

Thanks for the good times George! Birmingham last oct. was the best show I saw you play. Hopefully Panic isn't trying to find a lead guitar that sounds just like Houser. It would suck if Panic becomes a cover band of the Panic we knew in the past.

The band that should retire already did. And we are just phine without the phluffhead phools.

Thanks George, R.I.P. MH. We will climb to safety.

Well this definitely sad news, but I saw it coming. The writing has been on the wall. I liked GMAC, it me a while to find my groove with him in the band. I hope this doesn't start a revolving door. Jimmy Herring sounds nice, but would they throw someone in there right in the middle of a tour? The timing of this is very strange. And WOODSIDE, why must you be so disrespectful? Get over yourself buddy, sorry you never made out of the garage, but leave fallen brother at peace. Low down man, low down.

THANKS GMAC!!!

Just keep bangin out those killer comments "It would also be respectful to fans to decrease ticket prices for one less man." Did you seriously write that?

I remember seeing George up on stage at the Backyard in '02, grinning from ear to ear, and giving me relief that Panic was keeping on, keeping on.

He melted my mind at Bonnaroo 2005 (the Diner solo for example) with your influence and experience with Beanland and Kudzu Kings.

I remember seeing you at the Fox this year sharing the stage w/ John Keane and I was thinking, "Something is wrong here." Saturday night in Memphis, I knew something was wrong. Holt AND Keane? Long intermission and silence in between songs? Now, he is gone and only a mystery remains.

This is a huge blow for Panic. Hell, anytime a great jam rock band looses their guitarist it is hard, but this is round #2! Think about it. Panic did not even have a chance to fully gel with Gmac...2002-2004, no tour for 2005 and 1/3 season for 2006.

George- I'm hating your early departure.
WP- I hope you did not run this guy out thinking the grass is greener.

Jets19 you continue prove your idiocy and now you have a partner in woodside J. I'm glad you chose Phish over Panic. We don't need posers like you.

Viva La Panic

Should've Panic then raised ticket prices when Keane and Holt have come out on stage this year? Real stupid logic, buddy!

I was at the show last night. It seemed like things ended ugly. Look at the setlists. It all had a "don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out" kind of feel. But, they were fantastic. FANTASTIC. The Jimmy Herring rumor came up all night, people were even saying he'd be there by second set. Didn't happen, would have been cool. John Keane practically wrote and orchastrated the majority of Panic songs like he was a member of the band, and last night had a pre-George fill. They played like a weight was lifted off their shoulders. It was fun while it lasted, and I respect George for all the work he put it, because he got much better at time went on. But, in the end, there will always be Panic as we know it, and that is what it seemed like last night.

Man, there sure are some mean music "fans" out there. Hey woodsidej1--you got a real nasty attitude about Panic man! You don't have to love every band, but you'll have to answer for bashing a dead man! Mikey was great and if you went note for note with him, you'd fall down. You're from chucktown with that nasty attitude? You should be ashamed of yourself! Sounds like a typical close-minded Citadel boy to me!

I'm with JP22. I don't care for Panic's sound these days, but still respect them very highly as artists. Should they make Sam the full time guitarist, I would lose all respect for these guys. My vote's for Jimmmy H. Hang in there boys! Maybe y'all need a fresh perspective and an axe man with some continuity. George, reunite Beanland!!!!!! Beanland in `06!!!!!

Word. I may get some haters on this comment, but I never liked George and his fricken piddally dinkin around up there on stage. He s not good enough, plain and simple. Put Sam on the job! Sometimes when I listen to some of Georges jams, (in the bathroom) I just wonder how Mikey was replaced with George. Sorry, this is my comment ;-)

LONG LIVE PANIC (The real one)!

Just damn! I really thought George was making it happen. We saw six shows last year and they were all working for me. The break openers at the FOX just blew my mind.

Like you standingtaller when I saw the Fox shows this year I thought something was up but let it slip my mind. I've enjoyed Keane as a guest for a long time. I don't know about him taking the lead. I have never seen Sam play w/ Panic but heard some Outformation.

I know my wife will have something to add, hey baby!

I hope Panic moves in a direction that moves us all.

Peace

i thought george was great, the whole situation seems a little odd. i'm up for a little change like a lot of the reviews on here suggest. jimmy herring is a great idea. keane just doesn't sound that exciting. also, quit comparing phish and panic. its getting annoying, they are two very different bands.

Blue oyster cult, Starship, Iron butterfly. All great bands in their time. But have hung on way too long after their peak. They still tour with one remaining original member. But have lost the fan base and respect they earned. The longer Panic hangs on the more they will become like those bands.
The Grateful dead quit when Jerry died, but them members still did their own thing on their own.
Not to mention, at least Phish knew when to quit. They didnt want to become the band in which Panic is turning into. They better soak up the spolight as much as they can. Before too long they will be opening for Boston.

George did not mesh with the sound of panic. i believe this was a good choice. thank god no more crappy 80's sounding solos.

George will be missed..but..Bring on SAM! especially after Memphis, Sam would be a perfect fit, IMO

every band needs a Chuck Norris stunt double...no, seriously, Panic can play for 25 more years and I am there, dood! they undoubtedly continue to fuel my passion for this 'southern rock' or whatever the term is that describes them. I have been dancin' my ass off for years at EVERY Panic show I see. Mikey, Georgie boy, f*ckin Herbie Hancock at Bonnaroo '05 - whoever is on stage with them. They continue to do what few bands these days CAN do - push on! I absolutley cannot wait for VT, NH and Boston. Home of 'The Phish' - sorry, I had to say that, it's their turf.
but like dude said below...apples and oranges, right?
I had some good shows with George up there on stage and I wish him all the best. Long live PANIC!!!

Man-- what a buch of negativity for a music fan site. If you don't like the band, why post and why even read? Goodness.

There is no reason for anyone to have a bad opinion of George or the band. He helped them out in a really tight spot and got to play with a top touring act for four years. George is a homebody and always was, prior to Panic he hadn't toured for almost 10 years. He never even did Kudzu Kings gigs unless they were within a 2 hour drive. So all is good, no hard feelings and definitely no reason to bash a guy who came in at a moment's notice to help out his old friends.

Personally, I hope they hire Sam because they love him, he can play and that's what Mikey wanted. And as far as what everyone else thinks.... do you really think they give a fuck?

moeman, I don't wanna diss on 'ole GMAC too much...but that was dead on with the crappy 80's solos.....you're exactly right....bring on D. Trucks!