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Widespread Panic In Orange Beach, Alabama

Widespread Panic On The Beach
4/19/08

Morning Folks,

Last night proved a fine night. The weather here in Orange Beach, Alabama, is beautiful this morning. Last night seemed a little windy, but perfect conditions for Widespread Panic to entertain 10,000 fans at the beautiful outdoor Wharf arena...but the rain soon moved in. There's too many details to write up this morning before we begin the second day of this adventure. So, let this be an introduction to a much larger Panic article Swampland/Mystery And Manners will publish on this musical saga next week.

When I got to the Wharf, I sat and talked with Todd and Dave from the band. JB prowled around a little bit, and I saw Sonny for a while. Jojo rested on the bus, and I only caught a glimpse of Jimmy Herring before show time. Todd gave me a meal ticket and invited me to eat dinner with his brother, immediate family and friends at the catering den. His brother Rodney is a great guy, and it was a pleasure to meet him and his wife.

It's quite amazing to watch the behind the scenes of a major rock and roll band and all the people it takes to keep this show on the road. They travel with about 40 people--  feeding them and paying for high-dollar (on five buses and trucks) gas, hotel rooms and expenses that remains quite expensive. It's amazing the organization the band has built over these last 22 years. It's going to be expensive for any rock and roll band this summer...

Of course the musicians remain cordial to folks who need autographs, or radio programmers who need them for promotions or just the common fan looking for a few words of insight, even though it must tire them after so many weeks. You can see how things get a little crazy, but Panic remain consummate professionals. I must raise my glass and bow my head to all of them for such hospitality and free access to wander around during the day.

It's a beautiful little nook down here at the Wharf. There are plenty of diversions for folks who get a little restless backstage as the musicians wait around for show time. Many shops, cantinas and eateries line the streets a few hundred yards from the venue. It's safe to say, I highly recommend The Wharf to any fan with a chance to see their favorite performer at this venue...

I stood on stage left for the show. It's quite a sound to hear ten thousand folks roar as the lights go down and Panic walks out onstage. You feel the energy from all those people, and then you hear the bass drum and Dave's thick bass begin to set the beat, and it's on...

Dave wants to do an interview today. So, I'll go down a little early and hang out as the second day plays out. I'll also provide a little more backstory once things calm down a bit. Mystery And Manners will also be highlighting Brad Pitt's organization--Make It Right--that Panic works with to assist poor families in New Orleans. Speaking of Brad Pitt...did anyone know the girl on the cover of Widespread Panic's Everyday album was a 16-year old Angelina Jolie? Just reporting the facts...Remember you heard it first here folks...You won't hear about that on ET Tonight...more details later. Today I'll bring the laptop, so I'll report from the Wharf on the event's progression.

Swampland Wayfaring in Orange Beach, Alabama...

Free Somehow,

James Calemine

 

related tags

Mystery and Manners,
Coastal,
Athens,
Georgia,
Alabama,
Wayfaring,
Music,

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