<<Toni Price cancelled tonight's Duck performance because her guitarist, Champ Hood, passed away just a few days ago and the service, in Austin, is Sunday. Champ played with Lyle Lovett, Walter Hyatt, and others besides Toni. He had lung cancer (heavy smoker) and was only 49 at the time of his death. Suzanne>>
I was really saddened to read about Champ's death. Visiting Austin on a business trip in about 94/95, I dropped in at the Continental Club on a recommendation to hear Toni's famous Happy Hour / Hippie Hour set. I was squeezed in, this stranger from the UK, bottle of Shiner Bock in hand, next to a nice woman who introduced herself as Dorothea and said she was Champ's friend. It was a fabulous show, really great atmosphere. Champ played guitar and fiddle, the great Rich Brotherton and 'Scrappy' Newcomb also on guitars, Toni sang her heart out. After the show, Dorothea said it was Champ's birthday and would I like to share his birthday cake? Which I did. Shook his hand and said "thanks for the show". Last Christmas, a friend who lives in Austin and knows a little about my passion for Austin music gave me a great gift of a local cassette-only release of the Threadgill Supper Sessions - the Threadgill Troubadours being the all star band that Champ led at a legendary Austin eating place. I almost bled that tape dry over the Christmas season. Beautiful soulful music. Farewell, Champ Hood.
