In Memoriam: Brad Houser
We’re sad to report today that Brad Houser of Edie Brickell & New Bohemians has died after suffering a stroke. He was 62 years old.
Houser grew up in Dallas, Texas where he started on saxophone before switching to bass. He co-founded the New Bohemians in the early ’80s starting as a trio with Eric Presswood and Brandon Aly. The band soon expanded to include Brickell, guitarist Kenny Withrow (replacing Presswood), and percussionist John Bush.
Their debut album Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars came with the hit single “What I Am,” featuring Houser’s slinky bass lines.
The band has released five studio albums with 2021’s Hunter and the Dog Star being the most recent. Houser had varied musical interests and was a member of Critters Buggin (with Mike Dillon, Matt Chamberlain, and Skerik) as well as The Dead Kenny G’s.
The bassist also gave back to the community as an instructor at the New School of Music in Austin, Texas, offering free classes to the underprivileged.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Brad Houser.
Thank you for your gifts to the planet, Brad. Only about 27 when the 1988 New Bohemians album opened everyone’s ears.
“Before he died, his fellow New Bohemian band members Kenny Withrow and John Bush came to his hospital room to play music, and also brought Houser’s beloved dog Riga to his bedside. He was an animal lover who often advocated on behalf of rescues.” https://dallas.culturemap.com/news/entertainment/brad-houser-new-bohemians-death/