Widespread Panic guitarist and singer Michael “Mikey” Houser has announced that he has terminal cancer in a message to fans posted on the band’s Web site.
“I want to assure all of you that all that can be done has been done, and I want to thank all of you who have contributed information, medicine, and so on,” the 40-year-old wrote.
“I have hopes of playing again soon, although I can’t say for sure when or where, and I hope to see you all there.”
Speculation about Houser’s health had been circulating since spring, when he missed some scheduled appearances with the Athens-based jam band. He also has missed much of the group’s summer tour, which began June 21 in Tennessee.
The band’s publicist, Paula Donner, declined to release further information.
Houser was one of the founders of the group, which formed in 1985 and has been nominated for studio album of the year at the Jammys, which honor jam bands and musicians.
