Widespread Panic To Open Spring Tour At Home

A sold-out three-night-stand beginning on April 1 in Widespread Panic's home base of Athens, Ga., will kick off the band's spring tour of the southern and eastern United States. Two years ago, the jam band attracted a crowd of 50,000 to a free concert in downtown Athens to celebrate the release of a CD.

The band, which typically allows taping of its concert performances, is asking its fans not to tape the Athens shows. The band is expected to release the Athens performances in their entirety as a live album later this year.

"Please know, we hold the craft and sport of taping by audience members in high regard," said an announcement on the band's official website. "We'd be grateful if you trust us on this and leave all your recording gear behind." Taping will be permitted at the tour's other stops.

Widespread Panic released its seventh studio album, ''Til The Medicine Takes,'' in July 1999.

The band has built a strong following over the last dozen years, particularly in the South, through constant touring and grassroots marketing driven largely by a fan newsletter and, more recently, the Internet.