Watch JoJo Hermann Play 1st Show With Widespread Panic In 1992

On March 13, 1992 keyboardist JoJo Hermann played his first full show as a member of Widespread Panic. Hermann was a part of the classic Panic lineup that also featured guitarists John Bell and Michael Houser, percussionist Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz, drummer Todd Nance and bassist Dave Schools. The lineup lasted from JoJo’s initial concert through Houser’s last show on July 2, 2002 – a span of just over 10 years.

About five years after Panic was formed, the band signed a six-record deal with Capricorn Records. The label’s co-founder, Phil Walden, decided WSP needed a keyboardist to fill out their sound and T. Lavitz was recruited to record on the group’s 1991 self-titled Capricorn debut. Lavitz joined the band live starting on April 1, 1991 but left Panic the following February due to the band’s grueling tour schedule as per Everyday Companion.

Widespread Panic recruited old friend John “JoJo” Hermann to take Lavitz’s place in the band. Hermann had been a member of Mississippi’s Beanland, a group about to go on hiatus. JoJo sat-in with WSP for an acoustic set at the Georgia Theatre on March 4, 1992 as the band was opening for Tower Of Power. The March 4th performance is referred to as “JoJo’s audition” and apparently it was successful as he was on-stage for Panic’s show at the Georgia Theatre on March 13. He’s been in the band ever since. JoJo’s first show featured a bevy of live staples, covers of “Just Kissed My Baby” by The Meters and Neil Young’s “Mr. Soul,” the debut of “Dream Song” and more including a guest spot from Samantha Woods.

Head to Panic Stream to listen to soundboard audio of JoJo’s first show or watch fan-shot video paired with the crispy audio of the entire March 13, 1992 concert below:

Setlist (via Everyday Companion)

Set: Wondering, Makes Sense To Me, Hatfield, Mr. Soul, Stop-Go, Fishwater, The Take Out > Porch Song, Proving Ground, Pickin’ Up The Pieces, Contentment Blues > Jam > Drums > Jam > Mercy*, Just Kissed My Baby*, Weight Of The World*, Diner > Dream Song

Encore1: Benefactor, Flat Foot Flewzy

Encore2: Pigeons

* with Samantha Woods on vocals

[First ‘Dream Song’; JoJo’s first show; ‘Benefactor’ JB and Sunny; ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ tease by Dave before ‘Proving Ground’; ‘It’s Too Funky In Here’ rap, ‘Rock Steady’ rap, and ‘Cissy Strut’ jam during ‘Just Kissed My Baby’; White Buffalo opened]

[Originally published March 13, 2017]