Michael Houser facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Houser
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael Houser |
| Born | January 6, 1962 Boone, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Origin | Athens, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | August 10, 2002 (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.
Contents
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.
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
- 1988 Space Wrangler - Landslide Records
- 1991 Widespread Panic - Capricorn Records
- 1993 Everyday - Capricorn Records
- 1994 Ain't Life Grand - Capricorn Records
- 1997 Bombs & Butterflies - Capricorn Records
- 1999 'Til the Medicine Takes - Capricorn Records
- 2001 Don't Tell the Band - Widespread Records
Widespread Panic Compilation Album
- 2007 Choice Cuts: The Capricorn Years 1991-1999 - Capricorn Records
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
- 2008 Carbondale 2000 Recorded live at Southern Illinois University Arena in Carbondale, Illinois on December 1, 2000
- 2009 Valdosta 1989 Recorded live at The Armory in Valdosta, Georgia on April 8, 1989
- 2009 Huntsville 1996 Recorded live at Von Braun Civic Center Arena in Huntsville, Alabama on April 3, 1996
- 2009 Montreal 1997 Recorded live at Club Soda in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on September 6, 1997
- 2010 Johnson City 2001 Recorded live at Freedom Hall in Johnson City, TN on November 20, 2001
- 2011 Colorado Springs 1998 Recorded live at City Auditorium in Colorado Springs, Colorado on October 20, 1998
- 2011 History Lesson New Years 1997 Recorded live at Fox Theater in Atlanta, Georgia on December 31, 1997
- 2013 Oak Mountain 2001 - Night 1 Recorded live at Oak Mountain Amphitheatre in Pelham, Alabama on July 27, 2001
Widespread Panic "Porch Songs" Releases
- 2009 Mud Island '97 Recorded live at Mud Island Amphitheater Arena in Memphis, Tennessee on July 18 & 19, 1997
- 2010 June 2001 Santa Fe Recorded live at Paolo Soleri, Santa Fe, New Mexico June 19 & 20, 2001
- 2010 Wilmington, DE 2001 Recorded live at Kahuna Summer Stage in Wilmington, Delaware on July 22, 2001
- 2010 Milwaukee, WI 1996 Recorded live at Modjeska Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 1, 1996
- 2010 Chicago, IL 1996 Recorded live at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, Illinois on October 31, 1996
- 2010 Morrison, CO 1996 Recorded live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado on May 31, 1996
- 2011 Jackson, WY '96 Recorded live at Snow King Center Arena in Jackson, WY on February 6 & 7, 1996
- 2011 Geneva, MN 2001 Recorded live at Harmony Park Music Garden in Geneva, Minnesota on July 4, 2001
- 2012 Omaha, NE 1997 Recorded live at Ranch Bowl in Omaha, Nebraska on July 1, 1997
brute Studio albums
- 1995 Nine High a Pallet – Capricorn Records
- 2002 Co-Balt – Widespread Records
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
