Widespread Panic's JoJo Hermann Reveals Band's Plan to End Extensive Touring April 14, 2016 20:43

Photo by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen

Rumors have been circulating for several months now in regards to the future of Widespread Panic.  After the decision to part ways with founding member and drummer Todd Nance, a break from the band's vigorous touring schedule seemed imminent.  An interesting article from The Clarion-Ledger titled "Widespread Panic intrinsically connected to Mississippi" surfaced on Thursday night, highlighting the band's long running history and deep roots in The Magnolia State.  

The two closing closing paragraphs of the article have quickly become the real story.  Widespread Panic keyboardist JoJo Hermann, a former resident of Oxford, revealed that he plans to spend more time in the city after this year, as the band plans to end extensive touring after this year's New Year's Eve Show.

“We’re really wearing it out this year because we’re basically going to call it touring-wise after this year; we’re not going to tour anymore,” Hermann said, emphasizing that the band is breaking up or retiring.  The band will continue to play shows at places like New Orleans Jazz Fest and at Red Rocks.  It is worth noting that we do believe that the author of this article failed to include the word "not" before "breaking up or retiring".

Hermann continued, “We’re still all brothers and still going to play together ... It is really not that big of a deal, I don’t think,” Hermann said. “It’s part of life… I’ll go home and figure out what I’m going to do for the rest of my life. I will probably go back to Proud Larry’s (in Oxford) and set up a piano.”

While this news does not come as a complete shock to the Widespread Panic faithful, the way in which this news was released to the public is certainly interesting.  It's been an amazing 30 year run, and we look forward to seeing what's in store for the remainder of 2016.