From: Tom Ball Date: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 18:41:16 -0800 Subject: Junior Wells/Sonny Terry
Deepest condolences to the family, friends and legions of fans of Junior Wells. Though I cannot say we were close friends, we first met 32 years ago and he had a profound effect both on my own musicianship and overall approach to this music that we all love....We'll miss you, man...there'll never be another "Little Junior...."
On a happier note, this afternoon I was pleased to discover that the U.S. Postal Service will be releasing, in September, a 32 cent Sonny Terry postage stamp! As part of their "Folk Musician" series, the Sonny stamp will be issued in conjunction with stamps of Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie and Josh White. Have seen the artwork for the Sonny stamp, and yes, he's playing harmonica. At the same time there will be four "Gospel Singers" stamps released, the honorees being Mahalia Jackson, Roberta Martin, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Clara Ward. Congrats to the Post Office. (Now there's a phrase I never thought I'd utter...)
-Tom Ball sipping a Remy Martin with Jr's States 78s in the background...
- ------------------------ Tom Ball & Kenny Sultan http://www.bassharp.com/tomball.htm
