Sam Holt Band To Honor Michael Houser At Chattanooga’s Barrelhouse Ballroom
Widespread Panic percussionist Sunny Ortiz to join Sam Holt for Aug. 8 “Remembering Mikey” performance
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. —Sam Holt Band brings its annual "Remembering Mikey" celebration to The Barrelhouse Ballroom in Chattanooga on August 8, the hometown of Houser and late Widespread Panic co-founders Michael Houser and Todd Nance.
Joining the band for the special evening is Widespread Panic percussionist Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz, reuniting two musicians whose personal and professional lives were profoundly influenced by Houser and Nance.
“This show is like a homecoming. I grew up in Chattanooga and graduated from McCallie. Mike went to Hixson and Todd went to Central High”, Holt says.
Few artists share a deeper connection to Houser's music than Sam Holt. After spending years as the trusted guitar technician for both Houser and Widespread Panic frontman John Bell, Holt was asked to step into the lead guitar role following Houser's passing in 2002, helping the band navigate one of the most emotional chapters in its history.
Since then, Holt has built a respected career of his own, fronting Outformation and then the Sam Holt Band while carrying forward the spirit and improvisation that Houser helped create. For more than two decades, the annual "Remembering Mikey" performances have become a heartfelt tradition, celebrating Houser's songs and the lasting impact he had on generations of musicians and fans.
Ortiz, who recently marked 40 years with Widespread Panic, joins the performances whenever his touring schedule allows. For Ortiz, performing Houser’s music with Holt is not an attempt to recreate the past. His focus remains on contributing to the music in the moment and helping the musicians onstage operate as a single unit.
“I think they're fun,” Ortiz said. “If I'm in town and if he hasn't invited me…within a couple of weeks, I usually make that phone call and say, ‘Hey man, I'm free if you want or if you need a percussion player.’”
The emotional significance sometimes arrives only after the final notes have been played.
“It's usually not until after the show where I'm going like, ‘Oh my goodness.’ I still get the same feeling playing with Sam Holt’s Band that I do…playing in Panic.”
Houser’s influence on Holt began long before the two worked together. Holt first encountered Widespread Panic as a fan and taper, and Houser’s unmistakable approach to the guitar became one of the foundations of his own playing.
“I had never heard anyone play like that,” Holt said. “I still have not heard anyone approach the guitar like he does. When you hear him, you know it’s him.”
That influence remains physically present during the tribute shows, as Holt performs through the guitar rig Houser personally left to him.
The Sam Holt Band’s “Remembering Mikey” performance takes place Saturday, Aug. 8, at The Barrelhouse Ballroom, 1501 Long St. in Chattanooga. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the show. The event is open to guests 21 and older.
About Sam Holt Band:
For more than three decades, Sam Holt has earned a reputation as one of the South's most respected guitarists, songwriters and live performers. From intimate clubs to major festivals, his career has been defined by fearless musicianship, heartfelt songwriting and an unwavering commitment to authentic live music.
Born and raised in Nashville, Holt developed a distinctive guitar style rooted in Southern rock, blues, Americana and improvisation. His expressive playing, soulful vocals and honest songwriting have become the cornerstones of the Sam Holt Band, a group celebrated for powerful originals, adventurous jams and performances that are never the same twice.
Holt's musical journey is closely tied to the legacy of Widespread Panic. After serving as longtime guitar technician for founding guitarist Michael Houser, Holt stepped into the spotlight following Houser's passing, performing onstage with Widespread Panic during a pivotal chapter in the band's history. Those performances introduced him to audiences across the country and cemented his place within the extended Panic family.
Following his time with Widespread Panic, Holt formed Outformation, a nationally touring band that became a favorite among fans of improvisational rock and Southern music. During its successful run, the band released three acclaimed albums and established Holt as a compelling songwriter and bandleader in his own right.
Today, the Sam Holt Band continues to evolve while honoring the traditions that shaped its sound. Blending Southern rock, Americana, blues and roots music with fearless improvisation, the band delivers emotionally charged originals alongside carefully chosen covers that celebrate the artists and songs that inspired Holt's career. Every performance reflects the chemistry of seasoned musicians who value spontaneity as much as precision.
Holt’s annual Remembering Mikey concerts are heartfelt celebrations of Michael Houser's life, music and enduring influence. These shows have become cherished gatherings for fans from across the country, preserving Houser's spirit while creating new musical moments every year. This year's Chattanooga performance on August 8 will feature special guest Domingo 'Sunny' Ortiz of Widespread Panic, adding another unforgettable chapter to the ongoing celebration.
The Sam Holt Band delivers a live experience built on passion and connection. With decades of touring, enduring friendships with members of Widespread Panic and a catalog of deeply personal songs, Sam Holt continues to honor the music that shaped him while creating a legacy that is unmistakably his own.
