It's been a while since my last post and I haven't lost my sewing mojo or anything but, ... I've been taken it pretty slow.
On April 10, 2009, I lost my father to kidney failure, he was 6 days shy of his 73rd B-day. He was a well known musician here in Houston. For a man of his stature, he was very soft spoken, kind, and gentle. In my lifetime I have never heard my father raise his voice to anyone, but his musical skills spoke loudly to the masses.In the year 1955 he was given a guitar by his older brother, and began learning to play. Shortly thereafter in 56', he made a move to Houston. He started his career playing with popular local groups such as Travis Philliphs and the Wonder Boys, Gate Mouth Brown, and later joined, “The Hurricans” with John Roberts, Lester Grant, Clarence Holliman and Sylvester LeBlanc.
They recorded songs that made the top ten in Billboard Magazine in the 60's. During this time, he worked as a studio musician for Don Roby’s Duke, Peacock Lable and various studios in Memphis, Tennessee. They were the booking agency that booked all major acts that came through Texas, and The Hurricans, were the major band that backed all major acts.
They worked shows and played behind major artists such as, Stevie Wonder, Gatemouth
Brown, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Bobby Blue Bland, Etta James, The Temptations, Red Fox and various others. He recorded with Lightening Hopkins’ for “The Sonet Blues Story” recorded here in Houston, in 1974.
In the prime of his life, he met and married my mom, a well known blues legend herself, Ms. Trudy Lynn. Together, they were a popular and well known duo in Texas. They also had two kids, my brother and myself, lol. They were married 12yrs.
My father continued to play for many years, as he loved music. He was an active member of the group, "Traffic Jam" right on up to the age of 72. He still performed regularly even when his health was failing him, he would not complain. He will be missed by not only myself and family, but many of his students, friends and fans.
Sorry about your father, he left you with some wonderful memories.
ReplyDeleteYou have my condolences. It's very hard to see your parents age and then move on but it sounds like he really lived and gave you many precious memories to hold on too.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteLosing a parent is never easy no matter how old you are. May God give you and your family strength and peace during this time of loss.
ReplyDeleteThank you all so very much.
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