Bluest Tape

In episode 144, hosts Harvey Couch and Jeff Kollath recap Widespread Panic's three-night New Year's run at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta (December 29-31, 2024) while addressing news that broke after recording: Jimmy Herring's health issues and Nick Johnson stepping in as guitarist.Important Prelude:Episode recorded January 6th, before Thursday's announcement about Jimmy being unable to tour. Nick Johnson confirmed as touring guitarist.Billy Strings' Statement: Billy revealed he was on standby for New Year's: "I came ready to play as much or as little as they needed me... Jimmy absolutely killed it... Nick Johnson is an absolute monster on the guitar and will handle the reins until Gandalf the Loud can get back in the saddle."Three Night Highlights:Night 1 - December 29:Billy joined for final portion of second setFishwater > Surprise Valley > Fishwater with tempo changesJimmy and Billy "played around each other" rather than traditional call-and-responseNight 2 - December 30:Dark and heavy second s