Blue Carousel: The Story Behind the Song

Blue Carousel

Written by Michael Houser/John Hermann

Michael Houser started “Blue Carousel” before his death in 2002, and it sat unfinished for two decades until keyboardist JoJo Hermann completed it for his friend. Hermann debuted it solo as “Love and Joy” at Nashville's City Winery on August 31, 2023; Widespread Panic's full-band debut came September 16, 2023 in Wilmington, NC — the B in an encore that spelled BYE, closing a two-night run whose setlists worked through the alphabet. The studio single arrived July 25, 2024, announced with the hashtag #LoveAndJoy.

We never had to finish it, but I thought back and I was like, ‘Well, maybe I should go ahead and conjure up Mikey's spirit.’
JoJo Hermann · City Winery, Nashville, 8/31/2023 (via Live For Live Music)

He wrote very simple … lyrics, you know, just about everyday life — being around the house — and not a lot of chords, you know, three, four chords.
JoJo Hermann · City Winery, Nashville, 8/31/2023 (via YouTube)

By the numbers

Frequency: 1 in every 7.0 shows
Most common lead in: Space Wrangler (2 times)
Most common lead out: Papa's Home (3 times)
Most common set position: Set 2, song 5 (3 times)

Sources

Widespread Panic Shares Rescued Michael Houser Song, “Blue Carousel” · Live For Live Music
Another Go Around: Widespread Panic Release “Blue Carousel” · Relix
Widespread Panic Work Through The Alphabet in North Carolina, Debut New Song “Blue Carousel” · Jambands
JoJo Hermann Debuts New Widespread Panic Song Featuring Lyrics By Mikey Houser · Live For Live Music