FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 10, 2019
Each year on August 10th, fans come together to celebrate the life and music of the late musician, Michael Houser. This year marks the 17th anniversary of Houser’s passing and Sam Holt Band is hosting one special show in Atlanta Georgia (Terminal West) in celebration of Houser’s legacy. The show is open for all fans to come and celebrate together.
Michael Houser was a founding member and lead guitarist of the band Widespread Panic. He appeared on seven studio albums from 1986 until 2002, was featured on 4 live albums by Widespread Panic (2 released posthumously), as well as several archive releases, live video concerts and compilations. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the spring of 2002, he passed away on August 10 of that year, in Athens, Georgia, at the age of 40.
Sam Holt was Michael Houser’s guitar tech. During that time, Houser was a mentor for Holt. Holt eventually stepped in as lead guitarist for Widespread Panic and fans were amazed how Sam and the band were able to capture to classic Widespread Panic spirit and sound. Once Jimmy Herring joined Widespread Panic as lead guitarist, Sam Holt would go onto form his own popular touring band Outformation as well as keeping the spirit and music of Houser alive by performing ‘Remembering Mikey’ shows around the US.
The August 10th celebration at Terminal West in Atlanta, GA, will feature songs from Houser’s posthumous album Sandbox, as well as classic songs he wrote for Widespread Panic. Sam Holt Band will also perform original material that was inspired by Michael Houser. The show is billed as, ‘Sam Holt Band Presents: Remembering Mikey – Celebrating the Music, Memory, and Spirit of Michael Houser’.
Sharing the stage with Holt is Adam Grace, keyboardist for Truth & Salvage Co., Ross Parker on bass, and Jeremy Ward on drums. Special guests are also scheduled to appear.
This one night event will also will help raise funds and awareness for a new program called “Mikey Houser’s PreAmped” … a new program created by Nuci’s Space that will fund music classes in After School Programs in Athens Clarke County schools. Participating fourth and fifth graders will explore musical instruments and receive instruction from Athens area musicians.
Your support helps make this happen. With this program, Michael Houser’s family hopes to bring the benefits of music, which so enriched Michael’s life, to others.
To learn more about Nuci’s Space and the programs and services they provide to the Athens community, including mental health support for musicians and artists, please visit www.nuci.org.
“This show will be a unique experience for Houser fans. I am a huge fan of Widespread Panic and Michael Houser’s music. It is an honor to be a part of this celebration. He had one of the greatest musical minds of our time.” – Adam Grace
“I think about him (Houser) all the time. He was gone way too soon, but left us with some great music that still inspires and touches people.” – Sam Holt
Tickets for the August 10th celebration are available here.
