Michael Houser, one of the founding guitarists in Widespread Panic, was born in Boone, NC. He was invited by University of Georgia dorm mate and friend John Bell to join him in performance. Before long they added a bassist Dave Schools. In 1986, Todd Nance joined them on drums, and they first performed as Widespread Panic.

The story is that Houser’s anxiety attacks were the source of the band’s name. Houser died of pancreatic cancer in 2002 at age 40.

They are renowned for never playing the same show twice, every show is a new experience for their Southern jam band fans. They have said they may be closing up shop in 2012.

Photos are here.