Sammie Relford

I am in Houston- got in on the Amtrak this morning at 6:30 AM. Breakfast at James Coney Island downtown was nice. Bus 82 took me to within three blocks of my parents' house. Although I still have my phone number I've had since '93 here in Houston, it's in my apartment, which is no longer mine and is occupied by Greg Henkel. That number will be disconnected next month. Since I have noc ell phone, I am not reachable (vacation!) Roller Derby is this Sunday at the Verizon, 4 PM doors, 5:00 game time. That's my primary reason for being here.
Sammie Relford's new club, "The Real Sammie's" is now finally open. It's located in the Magnolia Brewery building on Franklin at the Bayou (Power Tools, Urban Art Bar, Brewery Tap, etc). I am going to try to see Sammie tonight, as he plays every Friday and Saturday. Without going into much detail, the last time I saw this Houston soul icon was a few years back at "Sammy's, the club in the bottom of 2016 Main that was supposedly his, but actually wasn't. I must say, his voice was in very bad form that night and I felt sorry for him. Having experienced vocal pain on a daily basis for years I could feel his physical pain. Hopefully tonight will be different. Oh yeah, one caveat about that night at Sammy's was that Little joe Washington came in, wasted (kinda rare) and brought the house down. It was awesome.
Sammie Relford is the subject of a new documentary that I just ordered on DVD, with shipping, for about $18. If anyone out there has seen him perform over the years (about 20 years nearly every night at the former Gallant Knight that was on Holcombe) I recommend the documentary, just knowing what I know about his talent and personality. Google search him t get to the DVD order page. i am excited about seeing this Houston soul legend again, for better or worse. -DB