Guest Book

A sad report on my machine tonight when I got home, from Big Stephen..... Birmingham harmonica legend Topper Price left this world today. Many of us saw Topper at the Scott Boyer benefit recently. Others may know him from his work on one of Dickey's albums after Capricorn moved to Nashville, or from his work on Jimmy Hall's Rendezvous With the Blues. Topper grew up in Mobile. He began sneaking into clubs to hear Howlin' Wolf every time he came through on the Chittlin Circuit when he was 15. We talked music when quality was a given. Before it became the rare prize it is today. When Derek downsized from the 7-piece band he hit the road with, to the 4-piece we know today, the first time I saw that incarnation was at Zydeco in B'ham. Topper hung out with me for the evening, got the nerve to ask Derek if he could join in, played 3 numbers. My favorite memory of him. He was a true believer in quality music. In season and out. Never would have made it to American Idol. Like so many we know, he stayed true to the music, never compromized. Probably died broke for his effort. One of life's great blessings is that you never know what's around the next corner. Appreciate the good things God brings your way. Never ever take anything for granted. EAPFP