Bowlegged Love and Nuptials — Widespread Panic Fans

By Lindsey Martin

Widespread Panic fans are like no other fans—it really is a community and family. I met my husband thanks to our mutual love of Panic. My love affair with the band and their music began in the summer of 1999.

My older brother, Brandon, was a huge fan and introduced me to Panic in cassette form and from the time I put it in my boom box I was hooked. I couldn’t believe music existed that was so pure and magical. That summer I listened to “Aint Life Grand” on repeat and was completely enamored with the musical mosaic that is Widespread Panic...from the lingering lead to the heartfelt vocals, amazing bass lines, keys and drums—it is such a rich, complex musical experience. I started going to shows and fell even more in love with the music. I truly don’t think a person has lived until they’ve experienced a Widespread Panic show!

Through the next 8 years, I was a devoted fan and hoped I’d get to meet another fan to share these experiences with. In 2007, my next door neighbor, Chelsey, told me his brother would be perfect for me. When I asked why, the first thing he said is, “Well, he loves Widespread Panic.” I was living in Nashville and Houston was in Los Angeles but he came home for Christmas. When I first laid eyes on him, he had his niece Madison on his back and a Mikey shirt on. I literally fell in love with him in that moment. We got engaged 2 months later and started planning for a Panic wedding (while still going to shows in between!).

Our wedding day was July 18, 2009 and we got married in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Our first dance was to “Vacation” (the recording from the Vic Theater in Chicago) followed by live recordings of our favorite shows. I wanted to surprise Houston with something special so for weeks I designed the perfect cake for him. It was a traditional white, 3 tiered cake but instead of your usual bride and groom topper, it had the Bowlegged Woman and Knock-Kneed Man picture on top. When he saw it, he was shocked and thrilled!