“I want to assure all of you that all that can be done has been done,” Houser said. “and I want to thank all of you have contributed information, medicine, and so on. As for me, I am at my home in Athens, Ga., surrounded by my family and being well taken care of.”

In spite of the solemn message, Houser made an effort to dispel negative thoughts by quoting Lou Gehrig: “Though some of you may have thought I have caught a bad break, I feel like the luckiest man in the world.”

He went on to thank his best friends – bandmates J.B., Todd, Sunny, Dave and JoJo – and fans for the “best support group in the world.”

Widespread Panic are wrapping up their summer tour with longtime friend of the group, George McConnell, filling in for Houser. Speculation about Houser’s health had been circulating since spring when he missed some scheduled appearances with the band. He also missed much of the group’s tour, which began June 21.