Inheriting the road-warrior mantle left behind by the Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic has established a devout grassroots following on the strength of constant touring and a loose, rootsy brand of Southern rock infused with jazz and blues textures. The group's origins date to 1982, when vocalist John Bell and guitarist Mike Houser first began playing together while attending college in Athens, Georgia. When bassist Dave Schools left academia to join the duo the next year, Widespread Panic were officially born.