thanks mikey! we miss you more than you know! we think of you often and of the memories you helped create. your music and spirit lives strong. we love you!

I never met you, but your influence resonates through my life. The friends I made, the memories I attained and the knowledge I have gain as a result of your existence are omnipotent. Your spirit is alive and well in our collective conscious and your presence is ever present. I hope that your family can feel your spirit as vividly as many of us can, it is very special.

Thinking about how big a part you play in so many wonderful memories it is hard to believe that we didn't even know each other. Thank you for the music and the memories Mikey, you are greatly missed!

You will forever be missed. Thank you for such beautiful music and such a beautiful smile!


Well, all the glitters isn't gold,
I know you heard the story told,
And I'm a pauper in a naked disguise,
A millionaire through a businessman's eyes
Oh, friend of mine
Don't be denied


Don't be denied
Don't be denied
Don't be denied
Don't be denied
Don't be denied
Oh, friend of mine
Don't be denied
Don't be denied

Miss you bro!! The man in the moon IS a Musician.

I didn't see you were right next to me, but I'm so glad you could make it. -we miss you.

As this anniversary of Michaels passing arrives, our thoughts and prayers go out to those who knew him best. He will never be forgotten.

Mikey,

Just a quick little hello to let you know you'll never be forgotten. As I've done since 95 with the passing of Jerry, I sipped a little whiskey in honor of the fat man last night, and I'll sip a little more in your honor tonight. Thanks for all the memories and the chills you used to send up my spine.

Great times my brother.

I Thank You Mike For Being A True Fan Of All Types Of music. I Think It Made You A unique Person and A Great Musician. I love and Miss you.

Mikey, The magic that flowed from your finger tips, the stories that unfolded before my eyes as you ripped into a long solo was nothing short of amazing. The feeling you gave me can never be put to words, only experianced.

Your spirit and music lives on and you will never be forgotton.

"Cheers to the friends so near!"
Thanks Mikey.

Sitting here at work thinking of all the great times and wonderful you music you provided Mikey. Remembering being on the rail in San Diego about 5 feet from your feet and you were just making me smile.

Just to let ya know, the boys are doing good and I think you'd be proud of them. Here's a recent picture from Deer Creek. You could definitely feel your presence there.

"Can't change the past
Wasn't meant to last
I had my fun
And I climbed to the sun
But I was burned up
On the surface
But I'm still here
Underneath it all
But tomorrow
or the next day
I'm on my way"

Wish you were still here Mikey...

It's been 3 years and still miss you! I know you are smiling down - especially after Spring and Summer tour! Got a few tears Sat in Porsmouth - they have been teasing Walkin - just won't be the same with you. Thanks for all the music, love, and memories!

"I just bought me this new pair of big shoes
I'm only going if I can walk there with you"

Every day I count myself grateful to have known your music. Humility, grace, astonishing subtlety, natural generosity, you remain my everyday hero.
Thank you.

We sure do miss you Mikey.....


"It's strange. I think about it sometimes; I don't know what people like about us so much. Obviously, we try hard; and obviously, we write decent music. But I don't know what it is that's that extra, but the people seem to feel it. We're all really grateful that we have it, but nobody seems to know what it is."

-Michael Houser

Mikey,
You would be amazed how the band has honored you every night, george is doing the best he can with great pride. Your legend lives on through my speakers and through my heart. I want you to know i will keep you in my mind all day along with your family and look forward to when we meet again.

old friends, heroes, lifetimes....

Its a beautiful day to remember your face, your music, your magic...though you're gone, you're still right here in so many ways!

we love you, now and always,
heather c.

Mikey:

Unlike what I thought it would be like, I miss you more every day.

I was telling my fiance just the other night of how proud I am of you and the rest of the band. You guys worked so hard to provide the absolute best show on earth and I appreciate it.

Over the past three years I've gone through what most of us have: regret, anger, questioning, celebration, longing, etc.
I can now say that I am happy because I see your spirit everywhere--not least of which at the shows I've been to since your passing.

Your courage and kindness and gentleness have served as a great source of inspiration and motivation for me. Unbeknownst to you, you served as a light to me through some dark times--for that, I'll always be grateful.

Also, I sure do thank Barbette and company for sharing you with the rest of us--I know that that there were some sacrifices on their part.

Anyhow, we are all thinking about you here as I know that you are there. Look forward to seeing you the next time the spirit moves!

EVERYDAY brother Mikey. EVERYDAY i miss ya.

"Tell me Brother, can you see the sun
From where you're standin' now?"

I dang sure hope ya can.

"Don't let a single memory fade away"
we miss and love you buddy

"You" pulled me in Brother, you pulled me IN. Best times of my life involve that lingering lead. Why so early, why?

Miss ya Brother...wish we could still be chasin' dreams together.

I love you,
M

Well, old friend, it's been almost 3 years now, and I just wanted to let you know how terribly I miss you each and every day. You & your music has taken me to places I would have never seen and allowed me to meet a lot of the best people in the world. The wife and I can literally travel to just about anywhere in this great country of ours and stay with good folks we met through years of touring.
I'd like to thank you for taking your time to sign my ragged copy of a Panicle newsletter before Columbia, '95. Thanks for 4-3-96; 5-3-97; 12-31-97; and so many, many more.
Much love...

Almost been 3 years now mikey, I still cant fathom your absence...August 10th is my birthday, your day of passing. I can't help but think it was some divine connection, I've always felt a strange vibe about that whole thing. Let it be known that not a SINGLE day goes by that you dont weigh heavily on my mind I see you in the sunrise, feel your presence when the wind blows a certain way, when I see a bird soaring thru the sky. I can only wish I would have been graced with the opportunity to shake your magical hands and to tell you what you meant to me, to all of us freaks that care so much for the band and your music.
Thanks for sharing your incredible gift with the masses, I can't help but still feel sorry for the folks who are just now coming into the WSP scene, the have no clue what they have missed out on:) I still rarely listen to anything past 7/2/02 (which you played with giant cajones, I may add. SICK!). If I want my WSP fix, its a Mikey show no doubt. I know there is a massive void on the face of the earth knowing that you're up there w/ the man in the moon trading some licks, but I consider myself absurdly lucky to have been in the front row under your shadow. Thanks for all the great memories, the incredible friends, places I have seen that I never would have traveled to...its all because of you and your lingering lead, Mikey. God Bless You Mikey! Missing you like mad. My birthday is now a day of rememberance of a lost dear friend instead of a celebration of my being. You're always part of my thoughts. Can't wait to see you on the other side dear brother! Rest in peace!

An honest tune with a lingering lead has taken me so far

I have to say that it has been a terrible loss to see Mikey go. He will never know how much his playing helped me through some really tough times. When I would hear "Pilgrims" the solo's to that particular song was emotions that I was feeling. I have not been able to even take a show since his death. My last show came in 2001 at Macon....

Dear Mikey,
Thanks for all of the great times that we had throughout the years. It was a priceless time in my life.
As you very well know, George has been filling in and I know how proud of him you would be. He has taken some of your stuff and turned it around in a very nice way. Some of your old licks, he still has troubles with, but hell so do I. All in all, the band has changed and evolved for the better and I know you would be very proud.

Thanks for everything,
Gary Baker