With years on the road guitar teching for Michael Houser, founding member of Widespread Panic and one of the most infamous jam guitarists in the history of the genre, Sam Holt was no stranger to the music scene or the road.

However in forming his own band Outformation, Holt would have to step out of the shadows both literally and figuratively to prove that he could stand on his own in a genre where fans are hard won, but once captivated are also loyal. Following the heels of their critically acclaimed debut album Tennessee Before Daylight, the band is set to release their anticipated follow up album Traveler’s Rest on August 21.

Holt and Outformation have a full fall tour scheduled in support of their sophomore CD with more dates to follow in the winter. Released two years after their debut, Traveler’s Rest finds the band in a more mature and experimental state. Holt’s hypnotic guitar hooks, bass player and singer-songwriter Grady Upchurch’s melodies, Lee Schwartz’s pounding beat and the harmonies of keyboardist CR Gruver and percussionist Jeff “Birddogg” Lane give each track on Traveler’s Rest a unique funkadelic chemistry. Several musical guests also appear throughout the album. The title track, “Traveler’s Rest” is a collaborative effort with Widespread Panic’s JoJo Hermann, while Mickey Raphael from Willie Nelson’s band contributes his harmonica playing talents on the song “Winds.”

Since their inception in 2002, Outformation has toured relentlessly, selling out venues nationwide and culminating in their two day performance at Bonnaroo in 2005.

After more than seven years working as a guitar tech for his mentor and friend, the late Widespread Panic guitarist Michael Houser, and stepping in to play at numerous Panic shows, Holt has spent the last five years dedicating himself to Outformation. Outformation’s original material is breaking new ground in a cherished Southern musical tradition.

The band will play at Bluesboro on Sept. 19.