| John Bell | |
|---|---|
Bell onstage performing with Widespread Panic |
|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | JB |
| Born | 14 April 1962 Cleveland, Ohio United States |
| Genres | Rock, southern rock, blues |
| Occupations | Musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Associated acts | Widespread Panic, JB & Friends |
| Website | widespreadpanic.com |
| Notable instruments | |
| Washburn H35 semi-hollow body guitar Washburn acoustic guitar Gibson mandolin |
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John Farmer Bell (born April 14, 1962) is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the American rock band Widespread Panic, where he is known for his raspy southern drawl that hits a variety of octaves. He is frequently called JB by fans. For more than 25 years, the voice has fueled 150 concerts a year all over the country and created a road warrior mentality for the band and its fans.
Bell grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where he graduated from University School in 1980. He attended the University of Georgia and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity where he, Michael Houser, and Dave Schools 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 cover songs. Throughout the more than 25 year history of Widespread Panic, they have earned a following throughout the land- especially in the South and Colorado, of fans who often travel the whole of the Country and Europe to follow their sound, with their friends, and its John Bell who has forever been the troubadour of this traveling circus. The media and business have long been rather impressed by the machine that is this band, and have consistently asked Bell for a personal explanation of what has been accomplished. The responses to television personalities or interviews with reporters has forever been a unique blend of evasiveness and charm which only partially answers the question but still warrants all involved to want more, more, more.
John Bell is an active philanthropist, most notably as an advocate for SMA (spinal muscular atrophy). 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, John Keane, and Bloodkin, as well as Grammy Award winner Robert Randolph and the Family Band and the North Mississippi Allstars, and Nickel and the Polar Bears. He has also performed at various Habitat for Humanity benefit concerts put on by Warren Haynes.
Bell resides in the north Georgia mountain town of Dahlonega with his wife, Laura[1] who he met while in New Orleans, Louisiana