The Widespread Panic family took a big hit as long time equipment manager Garrie Vereen has passed away. This tragedy is going to be hard on not only band members, crew members, staff at Brown Cat Inc but panic fans as well. Garrie had a heart of gold and on any given night would know hundreds if not more of the fans in attendance. Just a few years ago when I was working with the band at the Mile High Music Festival, Garrie saw me sitting side stage. Knowing I was a fan, he came up and asked if I wanted to “listen to the mix” he handed me a set of headphones and to this day I have never heard Widespread sound so good.
The stories can go on forever, one year I was in Washington with my unofficial widespread panic mom. We were near the rail towards the front of the stage when I see Garrie waving in our direction. Next thing you know he is handing beers from the stage to the crowd.
The Vereen and Widespread Panic family just recently went through the tragic loss of Garrie’s son Forrest. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Garrie’s other son Collin Vereen and everyone in the Vereen family. News like this is hard to write about. Widespread Panic is celebrating there 25th year anniversary and just played an amazing run of concerts in Athens, GA.
Related Concert News
