Denver, CO — Colorado Music Hall of Fame (The Hall) is proud to announce the induction of Widespread Panic during the band’s sold-out show on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO. Widespread Panic will be honored as the inaugural recipient of The Hall’s newly established Honorary Coloradan Induction category. At the same time, promoter Bill Bass will be posthumously inducted.
The Honorary Coloradan category expands the traditional Colorado Music Hall of Fame categories in order to recognize musicians and bands that are not from Colorado and do not live in the state, but have had a significant and lasting impact on Colorado’s music culture.
“Widespread Panic is the undisputed kings of Red Rocks and a household name in Colorado. Holding the record for 78 sold-out shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Widespread Panic has shaped Colorado’s music scene, inspired countless Colorado artists, and kept us ‘Up All Night’ with its unique blend of blues, funk, rock, and feel-good vibes. No other band is more deserving of the Colorado Music Hall of Fame’s Inaugural Honorary Coloradan Induction Award. Congrats, Widespread Panic!” said Governor Polis.
Widespread Panic holds the record for the most consecutive sold-out performances of any artist at Red Rocks, now at 78, signifying the deep connection the band has with Colorado fans. The band members have felt as though Colorado was their “home away from home” since the 1990s, and songs like “Big Wooly Mammoth” were inspired by their time spent in the state. In addition to the band’s Red Rocks record, its historic summer residencies led the City of Denver to declare June 27, 2008, as “Widespread Panic Day.”
Widespread Panic was formed in 1986 in Athens, Georgia, and has been together and touring for four decades. The band’s rise to fame was boosted by its legion of dedicated fans, known as “Spreadheads,” many of whom moved to Colorado to support the band as it spent more time here.
Band members include John Bell, guitar and vocals; John “JoJo” Hermann, keyboards and vocals; Jimmy Herring, guitar; Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz, percussion and vocals; Dave Schools, bass and vocals; and Duane Trucks, drums.
“Colorado is an inspiration in itself. Playing Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a dream come true, and being asked to join Bill Bass and many of our friends in the Colorado Music Hall of Fame is one of the happiest surprises Widespread Panic will forever be humbled by,” said John “JB” Bell.
Widespread Panic has headlined and performed at most major festivals in the country, including Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Outside Lands and more. To date, the band has sold more than seven million albums and has over 500 million digital downloads and streams.
Bill Bass (1951-2023) was a legendary Colorado concert promoter and a prominent figure in the local music scene. In the 1980s, Bass was the promoter for the Blue Note club on Boulder’s Pearl Street before joining legendary concert promoter (and Colorado Music Hall of Famer) Barry Fey at Feyline. After more than a decade at Feyline, Bass eventually started his own company, Small Axe Concerts, where he was the primary outside promoter for Boulder’s Fox Theatre. Following Small Axe, Bill started his eponymous company Bill Bass Concerts, which continues to this day. As a promoter, Bill envisioned and realized iconic events like Reggae on the Rocks in 1988 at Red Rocks. After almost four decades, it remains a premier reggae festival globally, celebrating both established legends and the genre’s most promising rising talent.
Bill was introduced to Widespread Panic early in the band’s career and was instrumental in helping to build the band nationally, including its massive Colorado following and their record-breaking Red Rocks run. Bill’s support and belief in the band helped it grow to where it is today. For decades, he brought live music to the people of Colorado and beyond. Bill passed away on January 13, 2023 while on a fishing trip in Mexico, one of his favorite pastimes.
“Many of us weren’t born in Colorado, but we got here as soon as we could and stayed to not only enjoy this beautiful place, but make it even better by celebrating the culture coming out of this state. That’s just what Bill Bass did; born in Florida, he started his career as a promoter in Colorado Springs and his Bill Bass Concerts not only encourages local musicians, but brings some of the world’s best acts to Colorado. Acts like Widespread Panic. Although Colorado hasn’t been lucky enough to lure the musicians of Widespread Panic here permanently, they’ve recognized how special this state is. And with their amazing string of performances at Red Rocks, they’ve made it even more special. This band is truly worthy of being named The Hall’s Inaugural Honorary Coloradan,” remarks Scott Tobias, board co-chair of The Hall.
Last night, on June 25, 2026, The Hall hosted a benefit reception at the Governor’s Mansion in celebration of these inductions with Governor Jared Polis; the band members of Widespread Panic; Bill Bass’ widow, Angelique Bass; and over 300 special guests. At the event, Governor Polis read a proclamation celebrating Widespread Panic’s induction into Colorado Music Hall of Fame as the inaugural Honorary Coloradan inductee.
The Parrisian Quartet, a Denver-based ensemble led by trumpeter, arranger and producer Parris Fleming, and featuring Hunter Roberts (bass), Enmanuel Alexander (guitar) and Matt Campbell (drums), performed exclusive jazz renditions of Widespread Panic’s songs. Fleming has built an international career touring with major artists including Harry Styles—serving as horn arranger and section leader on the global “Love On Tour”—as well as performing with Colorado acts like The Motet, Big Gigantic and Pretty Lights.
Proceeds from the event support The Hall’s mission to celebrate, promote and support Colorado’s music community, as well as its Keep The Beat mental wellness program and Widespread Panic’s Tunes for Tots, which supports music education in Colorado.
Event photos below. Email karen@cmhof.org if needing hi-resolution images.
Photo Credit: Fortuitous Photography
Courtesy of Colorado Music Hall of Fame
Band Photo (l to r)
Nick Johnson (filling in for Jimmy Herring), John “JoJo” Hermann, Karen Radman (Executive Director CMHOF), Dave Schools, Scott Tobias (Board Co-Chair CMHOF), Paul Epstein (Board Co-Chair CMHOF), John Bell, Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz
Photo Credit: Fortuitous Photography
Courtesy of Colorado Music Hall of Fame
Over 300 fans attended a special benefit reception at the Governor’s Mansion to celebrate Widespread Panic’s Honorary Coloradan Induction and the Induction of Bill Bass into Colorado Music Hall of Fame
Photo Credit: Fortuitous Photography
Courtesy of Colorado Music Hall of Fame
Governor Polis signing Widespread Panic Day Proclamation (l to r)
Buck Williams (manager and agent, Progressive Global Agency), John Bell, John “JoJo” Hermann, Colorado Governor Polis, Dave Schools, Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz, Steve Lopez (tour manager)