What Mikey Houser means to me

What Mikey means to me?

I never got to see him.  I never saw Widespread Panic in the 90’s during their rise to prominence.  When they were becoming touring legends, Hell, I was in elementary school.  I was just a little wrangler when the band was selling out shows and scorching the highways across these great United States.  They were making a name for themselves.  They were amassing a following.  Jerry had the Deadheads, Phish has lots of phans, well, Mikey and the boys had the #HomeTeam in every venue they played.  I would come to find out that these #GoodPeople come from all walks of life.  What we share in common as fans of this band could be another post all on its own, so I’ll be concise.  First of all, we DIG a good time. That’s what it’s all about. Good times, good people, cold beer, GREAT music and spreading love, charity and kindness to the world.  Mikey was born in Boone and made his way to Athens, Ga in 1986 for some schooling.  He would cross paths with John Bell, budding a kinship and love of music that would open the door to what we now know as Widespread Panic.  In those days, and up until his untimely passing in 2002, Mikey liked to shred the now-discontinued Telecaster Deluxe with an Ernie Ball volume pedal. His lead subtly lingering behind the joyful melodies.  Mikey’s sound became a nostalgic reminder of those good times at a show.  The memories come flowing back; the crew you were with, the road trip to get there, those crazy chicks you stayed with, that one song you wanted to hear.. Widespread Mother Fucking Panic as they say.  All smiles thinking about it.  The smiles give way to sadness for many.  They miss Mikey. 

When he stepped away, it left the home team feeling an emptiness that can’t be described.  His impact reached far and wide.  For example, I never got the chance to see Mikey play, and this is my favorite band without a doubt.  I think that speaks volumes.  What he means to me is exactly this.  He started it all.  He was just living his life, unknowingly changing the lives of others.  Widespread Panic has allowed me to find myself and start to build a life around the person I am.  It’s more than just a party or a concert, it’s way more than that.  Each song perfectly placed within each set toys with your emotions and resonates within you.   Best feeling in the world. 

So I thank you Michael Houser, for doing what you did.  I will continue to delight in the memories I’ve made and the great times ahead seeing this band.   Mikey couldn’t be replaced.  Only filled in for, and Jimmy Herring has stepped up to the plate.  In addition John Bell, JoJo Hermann, Sunny Ortiz, Dave Schools and Todd Nance continue to tour on in Mikey’s memory and legacy.  And we are all so grateful for it.  

See all you good people on Fall Tour

#WSMFP

TD