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John Bell (musician)
 
 
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John Farmer Bell (born April 14, 1962) is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the southern rock band Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic

Widespread Panic is an United States band from Athens, Georgia. The current lineup includes guitarist/singer John Bell , bassist Dave Schools, drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz, keyboardist John Hermann, and guitarist Jimmy Herring....
. He is frequently called "JB" by fans.

Bell grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated from University School
University School

University School is all-boys,school located near the city of Cleveland, Ohio. The school has two campuses, the Lower School located at in Shaker Heights, which serves grades K through 8, and the Upper School at in Hunting Valley, for grades 9 through 12....
 in 1980. He attended the University of Georgia
University of Georgia

The University of Georgia is a public university research university located in Athens, Georgia, Georgia , the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning....
 when he, Michael Houser
Michael Houser

Michael Houser was the lead guitarist of the band Widespread Panic.Houser was born in Boone, North Carolina, 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....
, and Dave Schools
Dave Schools

Dave Schools is the bassist for the band Widespread Panic, and hails from Richmond, Virginia. In addition to Panic, he has had numerous side projects with Jerry Joseph, Stockholm Syndrome , J Mascis and the Fog, Slang, and Acetate....
 met while Houser was playing at an open mic night. "Panic," as Houser was nicknamed, began playing with JB and Schools at local Athens, GA clubs, playing mostly covers.

JB is known for his raspy southern drawl that hits a variety of octaves.

John Bell is an active philanthropist
Philanthropist

A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable organization....
, most notably as an advocate for SMA (spinal muscular atrophy
Spinal muscular atrophy

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a term applied to a number of different disorders, all having in common a Genetics cause and the manifestation of weakness due to loss of the motor neurons of the spinal cord and brainstem....
).






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John Farmer Bell (born April 14, 1962) is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the southern rock band Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic

Widespread Panic is an United States band from Athens, Georgia. The current lineup includes guitarist/singer John Bell , bassist Dave Schools, drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz, keyboardist John Hermann, and guitarist Jimmy Herring....
. He is frequently called "JB" by fans.

Bell grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated from University School
University School

University School is all-boys,school located near the city of Cleveland, Ohio. The school has two campuses, the Lower School located at in Shaker Heights, which serves grades K through 8, and the Upper School at in Hunting Valley, for grades 9 through 12....
 in 1980. He attended the University of Georgia
University of Georgia

The University of Georgia is a public university research university located in Athens, Georgia, Georgia , the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning....
 when he, Michael Houser
Michael Houser

Michael Houser was the lead guitarist of the band Widespread Panic.Houser was born in Boone, North Carolina, 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....
, and Dave Schools
Dave Schools

Dave Schools is the bassist for the band Widespread Panic, and hails from Richmond, Virginia. In addition to Panic, he has had numerous side projects with Jerry Joseph, Stockholm Syndrome , J Mascis and the Fog, Slang, and Acetate....
 met while Houser was playing at an open mic night. "Panic," as Houser was nicknamed, began playing with JB and Schools at local Athens, GA clubs, playing mostly covers.

JB is known for his raspy southern drawl that hits a variety of octaves.

John Bell is an active philanthropist
Philanthropist

A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable organization....
, most notably as an advocate for SMA (spinal muscular atrophy
Spinal muscular atrophy

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a term applied to a number of different disorders, all having in common a Genetics cause and the manifestation of weakness due to loss of the motor neurons of the spinal cord and brainstem....
). Bell has helped raise over $2 million for SMA research, mostly through his involvement with "Hannah's Buddies". The foundation is named for Bell's goddaughter and niece, who lives with SMA. Bell is involved in an annual fundraiser featuring a golf tournament and evening concert by "JB and Friends," featuring John Bell solo, as well as performing with guests. Guest performers at the benefit have included Col. Bruce Hampton, Vic Chesnutt
Vic Chesnutt

Vic Chesnutt is a singer-songwriter living in Athens, Georgia. He has been writing songs since he was five years old. ...
, John Keane, and Bloodkin, as well as grammy winner Robert Randolph and his family band and the North Mississippi Allstars
North Mississippi Allstars

North Mississippi Allstars is a blues-Rock music/jamband from Hernando, Mississippi, founded in 1996. The band is composed of brothers Luther Dickinson and Cody Dickinson , and Chris Chew ....
, and Nickel and the Polar Bears. John Bell is also active in other philanthropic areas. He now resides in the north Georgia mountain town of Dahlonega with his wife, Laura.