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The Band: (from left to right)
Dave Schools: bass
John "JoJo" Hermann: keyboards, vocals
George McConnell: guitars, vocals
John Bell: vocals, guitar
Todd Nance: drums
Domingo "Sonny" Ortiz: percussion
Interview: Widespread Panic
Formed 16 years ago in Athens, Ga., Widespread Panic is a favorite among the "jam-friendly" community. "The Boys from the South" as devoted, road-worn fans might call them, the band mixes together elements of American roots music — blues, jazz and folk with classic rock riffs and Latin percussion to form a distinct Southern rock sound all its
own. The band comes to the Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, Mo. on May 3 to play a sold-out show.
Jay play writer Chris Brown caught up with percussionist Domingo "Sonny" Ortiz after the first of a two-night
run in Raleigh, N.C. to chat about nicknames, favorite places to play and dreams.
What's the story behind the nickname?
I guess it was back in high school, you know when life
was a barrel of monkeys, I smiled
a bunch and friends started calling me that and it just kind of stuck.
With a nickname like "Sonny" I'm interested to know, is the glass half empty or half full? Oh, it's always full.
How's tour looking so far?
It's great to be back on the road, Raleigh's.
always been a great city for us. We're excited about being out on the road. We're shooting for going into the studio in January.
What are you thinking about when you are performing a solo?
It's a real spontaneous, spur of the moment kind of thing. I try to think 'how can I complement what the other musicians do?' Music is a verbal communication. As a player, you try to add to the musical conversation without overplaying.
Fill in the blank:
___ days, chasin' the clouds away.
Hot.
Actually, I was playing on your nickname for that one.
Oh, well it reminds me of growing up in Texas when the summers were real hot and I was just dreamin' away.
___ and Cher.
Sonny.
I've got sunshine on a ___ day.
[Laughs] Cloudy.
Of all the places you guys have ever played, which is a lot, what's your favorite?
Well it's always great to play in Atlanta, but Vegas, New York, LA, San Francisco, the Gorge, San Diego, Germany and some other European cities, these towns are all really great to play and they've been really super for us. I wish we could play in Athens but there isn't anyplace we can play there.
Can you describe the strangest dream you've ever had?
I guess when you're younger you can remember your dreams, but when you're older you can't. As a kid, like everyone else, I dreamed about being successful, about being happy and doing something I've always wanted to do. I'm very fortunate because I get to do what I love every day. I love getting up and going to work now. It's being able to play music day in, day out, ordering room service and traveling a lot. It's the small things in life for me that make my world click.
—Chris Brown