Sam Holt Band Donates $5,000 to The Nuçi's Space Mikey Houser Pre-Amped Music Program
Athens, GA — Nov. 11, 2025 — Athens-based rockers, Sam Holt Band, donated $5,000 to Nuçi’s Space in support of the Mikey Houser Pre-Amped Music Program, a free music education initiative for fourth and fifth-grade students in Athens-Clarke County.
The Pre-Amped program, founded to honor Widespread Panic’s late guitarist Michael Houser, introduces students to instruments through small-group lessons led by professional musicians and educators. Participants receive loaner instruments and, after completing a full year, are gifted their own instrument. The program’s focus is to cultivate lifelong skills in communication, leadership, teamwork and creativity through knowledge, mentorship and ongoing instruction.
“Supporting Pre-Amped means giving kids the same chance I had to discover the power of music at a young age. I can’t think of a better way to honor that mission,” said Holt.
Nuçi’s Space Executive Director Debbie Watson added, “Sam’s generosity helps us expand access to free music education for the kids who need it most. Partnerships like this not only honor Mikey Houser’s legacy but ensure that music continues to inspire the next generation.”
Since 2019, the Pre-Amped program has empowered Athens youth through music, providing over $25,000 in scholarships and serving more than 120 students in local schools. With community support, the program has also delivered individualized instruction to 50 Boys & Girls Club students, donated 10 instruments, and helped 16 young musicians advance into our other programs—ensuring access, opportunity and growth for the next generation.
For more information on the Pre-Amped program, visit https://www.nuci.org/.
About Sam Holt Band
Sam Holt Band fuses raw southern grit, melodic twang and hypnotic rock jams into a sound that electrifies audiences. Drawing on his years as guitar tech and close collaborator to the late Michael Houser of Widespread Panic, Holt has carved out his own path as both performer and songwriter. Before launching his namesake project, he led the nationally touring band, Outformation. The Sam Holt Band features Sam Holt on guitar and vocals, Adam Grace on keyboards, Ross Parker on bass and Jeremy Ward on drums. For more information and tour dates, visit www.samholtband.com.
About Nuci’s Space
Our mission is to prevent suicide. With a focus on musicians, Nuçi’s Space advocates for and helps to alleviate the suffering of those living with a brain illness and fights to end the stigma of mental illness. To accomplish our mission, Nuçi’s Space maintains a health and resource center for musicians as a safe space to seek support and guidance, provides access to affordable, obstacle-free professional care, actively participates in treatment and educates about awareness, prevention and the risk factors of brain illnesses. Our vision at Nuçi’s Space is to end the epidemic of suicide and to inspire a culture free of the stigma attached to brain illnesses and its sufferers by supporting a community-wide effort that focuses on education, prevention and access to appropriate treatment. For more information on Nuçi’s Space, visit: https://www.nuci.org/#about.
