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For the American ice hockey goaltender, see Michael Houser (ice hockey). For the member of the Kansas House of Representatives, see Michael Houser (politician).
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Michael Houser
Michael Houser
Background information
Birth name Michael Houser
Born (1962-01-06)January 6, 1962
Boone, North Carolina, U.S.
Origin Athens, Georgia, U.S.
Died August 10, 2002(2002-08-10) (aged 40)
Athens, Georgia, U.S.
Genres Southern rock, blues rock, jam rock
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, guitarist
Years active 1986–2002
Labels Widespread Records, Capricorn, Sanctuary, Landslide Records, Supercat Records
Associated acts Widespread Panic, brute.

Michael Houser (born January 6, 1962 – died August 10, 2002) was a talented American musician. He was one of the people who started the famous band Widespread Panic and played the lead guitar. He was with the band for 16 years, from 1986 until 2002. During this time, he played on many of their studio albums and live recordings. After he passed away, two of his own solo albums were released.

About Michael Houser

Michael, also known as "Mikey," was born in Boone, North Carolina. He went to Hixson High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 1986, while he was at the University of Georgia, he helped start the band Widespread Panic with John Bell. Michael's childhood nickname was "Panic," and this is where the band got its name!

Michael had a special way of playing the guitar. He often used a volume pedal to create unique sounds. This meant he would sometimes balance on one leg while performing. Later, he found it more comfortable to play while sitting down, which he started doing in 1997.

Even though all the band members shared credit for their songs, Michael wrote many of Widespread Panic's well-known tunes. Some of these include "Porch Song," "Airplane," "Ain't Life Grand," and "Postcard."

In the spring of 2002, Michael was diagnosed with a serious illness. He passed away on August 10, 2002, in Athens, Georgia, when he was 40 years old. After his death, two albums of his instrumental music were released: Door Harp and Sandbox. He is remembered by his wife, Barbette, and their two children, Waker and Eva.

Mikeyphilly01
Michael Houser onstage in Philadelphia, 2001

Widespread Panic has continued to make music and tour, just as Michael wished.

Musical Gear

Michael Houser used a special kind of guitar called a Fender Telecaster Deluxe Plus. He bought his first one in 1991. He played his guitars so much that he would wear them out! Fender even made two custom guitars for him that looked just like his favorite one.

These guitars had special pickups that helped create a wide range of sounds. Michael also used specific amplifiers and guitar strings to get his unique sound.

He used several effects pedals to change his guitar's sound. These included a volume pedal, an equalizer, and a chorus/flanger pedal. These tools helped him create the distinctive music he was known for.

Music Albums

Here are some of the albums Michael Houser was a part of:

Solo Studio Albums

  • 2002 Door Harp - Sanctuary Records
  • 2006 Sandbox - Supercat Records

Widespread Panic Studio Albums

Widespread Panic Compilation Album

Widespread Panic Live Albums

  • 1998 Light Fuse, Get Away - Capricorn Records
  • 2002 Live in the Classic City - Widespread Records
  • 2004 Jackassolantern - Widespread Records
  • 2010 Live in the Classic City II - Widespread Records

Widespread Panic Archive Releases

Widespread Panic "Porch Songs" Releases

brute Studio albums

with John Hermann

  • 2001 Smiling Assassin – Fat Possum Records

with Jerry Joseph & The Jackmormons

  • 2002 Conscious Contact - Terminus Records

with Bloodkin

  • 1994 Good Luck Charm – Backdoor Records
  • 1999 Out Of State Plates - Pretty Mean Records

Compilation albums

  • 1992 The Mother Of All Flagpole Christmas Albums - with Widespread Panic - Long Play Records
  • 1993 The Best of Mountain Stage Live, Vol. 5 - with Widespread Panic - Blue Plate Music
  • 1994 Better Than A Poke In The Eye - with Widespread Panic - Long Play Records
  • 1995 Hempilation: Freedom Is NORML - with Widespread Panic - Capricorn Records
  • 1996 Five Ring Circus - with brute. - Flip Records
  • 1997 To the Extreme - with Widespread Panic - American Recordings
  • 2002 Crowd Around The Mic Vol. 6 - with brute. - WNCW Records
  • 2002 Live From Bonnaroo - with Widespread Panic - Sanctuary Records
  • 2003 Carved In Stone - with Widespread Panic - Harvest Media Group
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