George McConnell
Encyclopedia
George McConnell is an American guitarist
from Vicksburg, Mississippi
who played for Widespread Panic
, Kudzu Kings
, and Beanland
. He attended the University of Mississippi
where he was in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon
fraternity.
McConnell co-founded Beanland
in Oxford, Mississippi
in 1985 with guitarist Bill McCrory. After some early shuffling, the band's line-up consisted of McConnell and McCrory on guitar, John Hermann
on keyboards, Ron Lewis on bass, and Harry Peel on drums. The band recorded a self-titled debut album in 1991 and toured extensively, mainly around the south and southwest, playing blues-oriented rock as part of the nascent early-90's jamband renaissance.
McConnell went on to play for several years in the country-rock band Kudzu Kings
, eventually leaving to devote his time to a guitar store he opened in Oxford.
In 2002, following Widespread Panic guitarist Michael Houser
's diagnosis of pancreatic cancer
, McConnell and saxophone
player Randall Bramblett
were asked to accompany Widespread Panic on the band's summer tour. Initially McConnell sat in for a few songs per show to add support to Houser's playing, however when Houser was unable to complete the tour McConnell filled in as the lead guitarist. McConnell was named as the new lead guitarist in the band following Houser's death in August 2002.
McConnell served as Widespread Panic's lead guitarist for four years from 2002–2006, recording two studio albums and three live albums with the band. His last show with the band was July 30, 2006, in St. Louis, Missouri.
In 2008, McConnell began performing with a new band, George McConnell & The Nonchalants. McConnell is debuting his new batch of tunes exclusively via digital download on his new website http://www.georgemcconnell.com. As a throwback to his early days of discovering new music, he’s releasing the songs in a “Virtual 45” format, with the songs available only as a pair—just like the “A-side” and “B-side” of a 45 RPM single.
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
from Vicksburg, Mississippi
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Vicksburg is a city in Warren County, Mississippi, United States. It is the only city in Warren County. It is located northwest of New Orleans on the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers, and due west of Jackson, the state capital. In 1900, 14,834 people lived in Vicksburg; in 1910, 20,814; in 1920,...
who played for Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. The current lineup includes guitarist/singer John Bell, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz, keyboardist John "JoJo" Hermann, and guitarist Jimmy Herring...
, Kudzu Kings
Kudzu kings
Kudzu Kings is an alternative country/roots rock jam band from Oxford, Mississippi. Their sound has been categorized as a blend of country music, bluegrass and improvisational rock & roll...
, and Beanland
Beanland
Beanland was a roots rock jam band, based in Oxford, Mississippi, which performed and recorded primarily from 1986 to 1993.Beanland was founded in Oxford in 1985 by guitarists Bill McCrory and George McConnell, with Adam Stoll on drums and harmonica...
. He attended the University of Mississippi
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
where he was in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Alpha Epsilon is a North American Greek-letter social college fraternity founded at the University of Alabama on March 9, 1856. Of all existing national social fraternities today, Sigma Alpha Epsilon is the only one founded in the Antebellum South...
fraternity.
McConnell co-founded Beanland
Beanland
Beanland was a roots rock jam band, based in Oxford, Mississippi, which performed and recorded primarily from 1986 to 1993.Beanland was founded in Oxford in 1985 by guitarists Bill McCrory and George McConnell, with Adam Stoll on drums and harmonica...
in Oxford, Mississippi
Oxford, Mississippi
Oxford is a city in, and the county seat of, Lafayette County, Mississippi, United States. Founded in 1835, it was named after the British university city of Oxford in hopes of having the state university located there, which it did successfully attract....
in 1985 with guitarist Bill McCrory. After some early shuffling, the band's line-up consisted of McConnell and McCrory on guitar, John Hermann
John Hermann
John "JoJo" Hermann was born in New York City. He toured the South extensively with the band Beanland until 1992, when he went to Athens, Georgia to play keyboard with Widespread Panic....
on keyboards, Ron Lewis on bass, and Harry Peel on drums. The band recorded a self-titled debut album in 1991 and toured extensively, mainly around the south and southwest, playing blues-oriented rock as part of the nascent early-90's jamband renaissance.
McConnell went on to play for several years in the country-rock band Kudzu Kings
Kudzu kings
Kudzu Kings is an alternative country/roots rock jam band from Oxford, Mississippi. Their sound has been categorized as a blend of country music, bluegrass and improvisational rock & roll...
, eventually leaving to devote his time to a guitar store he opened in Oxford.
In 2002, following Widespread Panic guitarist Michael Houser
Michael Houser
Michael Houser was the lead guitarist of the band Widespread Panic.Houser was born in Boone, North Carolina, graduated from Hixson High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and became a founding member of Widespread Panic in 1982 while attending the University of Georgia with John Bell...
's diagnosis of pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer refers to a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. The most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for 95% of these tumors is adenocarcinoma, which arises within the exocrine component of the pancreas. A minority arises from the islet cells and is classified as a...
, McConnell and saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
player Randall Bramblett
Randall Bramblett
Randall Bramblett is an American musician and singer-songwriter, whose career as a solo artist, session player, and touring musician, has spanned more than three decades. He has worked with such notable performers as Gregg Allman, Bonnie Raitt, Robbie Robertson, Elvin Bishop, Steve Winwood,...
were asked to accompany Widespread Panic on the band's summer tour. Initially McConnell sat in for a few songs per show to add support to Houser's playing, however when Houser was unable to complete the tour McConnell filled in as the lead guitarist. McConnell was named as the new lead guitarist in the band following Houser's death in August 2002.
McConnell served as Widespread Panic's lead guitarist for four years from 2002–2006, recording two studio albums and three live albums with the band. His last show with the band was July 30, 2006, in St. Louis, Missouri.
In 2008, McConnell began performing with a new band, George McConnell & The Nonchalants. McConnell is debuting his new batch of tunes exclusively via digital download on his new website http://www.georgemcconnell.com. As a throwback to his early days of discovering new music, he’s releasing the songs in a “Virtual 45” format, with the songs available only as a pair—just like the “A-side” and “B-side” of a 45 RPM single.
Beanland
- Beanland (1991, HiCool Records) Produced by Jim DickinsonJim DickinsonJames Luther "Jim" Dickinson was an American record producer, pianist, and singer who fronted, among others, the Memphis based band, Mudboy & The Neutrons.- Biography :...
and engineered by Don SmithDon SmithDonald John Smith was a Canadian professional hockey player who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Shamrocks, Montreal Wanderers and the Renfrew Creamery Kings.-Playing career:... - Eye to Eye (1993, HiCool Records) Produced and engineered by Don Smith
- Rising From the Riverbed - DVD (2004, Cloudscapes Productions) Produced and directed by Scotty Glahn(includes bonus CD sampler of bands from the era)
Kudzu Kings
- Kudzu Kings (1997) Produced by Jim Gaines and engineered by Jeffrey Reed
- Y2Kow (1999) Produced and engineered by Jeffrey Reed
Widespread Panic
- Ball (2003)
- Night of JoyNight of JoyNight of Joy is the fourth live album released by the Athens, GA based band Widespread Panic. The album was recorded during a show in 2003 at the House of Blues in South Carolina...
(2004) - Über CobraÜber CobraÜber Cobra is the fifth live album released by the Athens, GA based band Widespread Panic. The album was recorded during a show in November 2003 in Myrtle Beach. It was released on July 12, 2004 and was the second of three live releases in 2004 by the band...
(2004) - JackassolanternJackassolanternJackassolantern is the sixth live album released by the Athens, GA based band Widespread Panic. The album was recorded during various Halloween shows that the band has performed. It was released on September 28, 2004 and was the third of three live releases in 2004 by the band. The album is...
(2004) - Live at Myrtle BeachLive at Myrtle BeachLive at Myrtle Beach is the seventh live album released by the Athens, GA based band Widespread Panic. The album was recorded during a show in Fall 2003 at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, SC...
(2005) - Earth to America (2006)
- Live From The BackyardLive from the BackyardLive from the Backyard is the live DVD concert of Athens, Georgia's Widespread Panic in Austin, Texas, on July 20, 2002. The DVD features over two hours of music as well as backstage footage and interviews with the band. The DVD was recorded less than a month after the final performance of lead...
(2003) (DVD) - Earth to AtlantaEarth to AtlantaEarth to Atlanta is a live DVD concert of the band Widespread Panic filmed at the Fabulous Fox Theater in Atlanta, GA on May 9, 2006. This 2 DVD set features the performance of the band's nationwide simulcast to 115 Regal/Edwards/United Artists cinemas nationwide...
(2006) (DVD)