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 set
Fishwater > Surprise Valley > Fishwater with tempo changes
Jimmy and Billy "played around each other" rather than traditional call-and-response

Night 2 - December 30:

Dark and heavy second set theme
Jeff's critique: "Jack doesn't work in that second set spot"
17-minute Second Skin featured "slinky bass intro" from Schools

Night 3 - New Year's Eve:

Don't Be Denied acoustic: poignant as always
NICK JOHNSON DEBUT: Ribs and Whiskey, Tall Boy, Diner - "acquitted himself very well"
War Pigs: Only second time ever played
Paranoid: Third time ever (Halloween '87, Halloween '16, NYE '25)
DISCO HIGHLIGHT: 11-minute version "right up there" with greatest ever

The Nick Johnson Question:

Background: Atlanta-based guitarist, played with Colonel Bruce Hampton, close friends with Duane Trucks

Host Reactions:

Harvey: hopes Nick "crushes it"
Jeff: "Curious" about stage presence and gear setup
Jeff's wishlist: "I hope Nick refuses to play Cosmic Confidante and puts Stop-Go on his must-play list"

Spring 2025 Tour:

Riviera Maya (Jan), Austin (Feb), St. Augustine (Mar), Birmingham (Apr), Jazz Fest, Las Vegas (May), All Good Now Festival (June)

Recommendations:

Jeff:

"I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not" (CNN documentary)
Allman Betts Family Revival Tour clips with Amanda Shires (Nuggs/YouTube)

Harvey:

"A Year with C.S. Lewis" daily readings book
Dry January with non-alcoholic Lagunitas IPAs

Notable Quotes:

"That's why you stick around to the end. You never saw anything like the other night." - Jeff
"The one thing Billy Strings doesn't need is to join Widespread Panic." - Jeff

Episode recorded on Mike Houser's birthday (January 6th).

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144: New Year's 2025 Fox Theatre Recap & The Jimmy Herring Situation