Chris passed away at 4pm Friday, July 11, 2008. Adios, my brother.
Below: Photos from Chris' benefit at Sam's Burger Joint Sunday Nov 18, 2007
Click image for ID
Influences
Below: Sam's Burger Joint w/ Jack Barber, DonWise, Tommy Taylor and Nick Connolly:
Below: And w/ Augie Meyers:
If you know Chris Holzhaus’ name, good for you, you get points for your knowledge of Texas music history. The San Antonio-born guitarist has been one of the hotshot players since the late Sixties, having recorded with the Argyles for Huey Meaux in 1964 and then with Max & the Laughing Kind out of Port Aransas. After he left the hippie-era band the Children and started with the Eastwood Revue at the Eastwood Country Club, playing alongside Doug Sahm and Spot Barnett, he went on to perform and record with Texas notables such as Augie Meyers and Delbert McClinton.
So...I was googling yesterday...there was a discussion about Summertime...which was recorded FIRST by Bob Crosby 5 months before Billie Holiday...back in the 30's. Of course Walter Holzhaus was in Bob's band on trumpet. Now...Bing, Bob's more famous brother...was married to a lady who was 1st runner up to MIss Texas in 1952...but several years before that in 1924...aNOTHer lady from Texas that went to Miss America, miss Galveston, was named Lorraine Holzhaus. In 1942...the winner of Miss Texas was from Tyler and she won Miss America. She was nicknamed..the Texas Tornado...So I think Chris should be voted for Miss Texas...its only right! I was telling a young guitarist about Chris last night...best rhythm player I ever heard...of course I started crying...damn.....I would have loved to have met Chris's dad...now...can you imagine the stories HE could tell. I always thought Chris was bullshitting about his dad's gigs...LOL!
I met Chris in 1970. I had just returned from CA where I had spent a 4 year sojourn in the US Navy. Between 1966 and 1968 I lived in the SF area. I spent a lot of time at the Fillmore catching great bands like Butterfield/Bloomfield and others. Although I played blues in neighborhood juke joints before I left SA. I was blown away by the bands mentioned above. When I returned to SA I formed a blues band of my own with some old friends from Kenwood. My first gig was at a large C/W dance hall on Ackermann Rd. A large screen of psychedelic lights danced behind us as we played. It reminded of the Fillmore where light shows were a matter of course. The Kenwood Band opened for a band called Eastwood Revue. I was so glad to be back home and glad to find that there were other blues persons with the same ideas in music as I had. Chris and I started talking music. They literally had to pull us apart when the gig was over. We became instant friends. Through the years I ran into Chris several times and had several opportunites to jam with him at The Texan where Red Dog was the house band. It was always a pleasure to see him walk in and to jam with a musician of his caliber. One of the last times I saw Chris was at Sam's Burger Joint in 1995 or so. I was playing with the Texas Blackcats and he was on the side of the stage. During break we gravitated towards each other and he complimented my playing. He advised me, "Frank, don't ever quit playing, you are the real thing, man!" That comment coming from Chris Holzhaus affected me greatly! It encourages me to continue on and still keeps me going. I will always remember Chris in these ways. Whenever I sing a blues tune Chris will always be on my mind. Rest in peace my brother, and may you be enjoying your new beginning with the Music of the Spheres. Thank you for calling me to your benefit! Your presence was felt everywhere.
Chris and I worked together at the Eastwood Country Club in the early 70's, with a band known as "The Soul Makers. I just found his myspace profile by dumb luck a few weeks ago, but he apparently was already quite ill. I have nothing but found memories of Chris and I know his music will live on forever!
Chris was my friend for many years. Heck, he helped me paint my house once. I gave him my motorcycle when I figured out I really didn't need to be spread all over the highway. Many folks don't know that Chris was a very funny guy, but he was. He had a terrific, sicko sense of humor. We had a lot great times together at gigs good and bad. Many of them with our friend Tommy Taylor. I might not see Chris for a year, but he's always call and catch up. I'm gonna miss those calls. I loved the guy.
F.Y.I. people. For those who may not of heard. There's a Memorial Tribute for Chris on August 3rd from 3 till 10 p.m. at Sam's Burger Joint, 330 East Grayson Street, San Antonio, TX.
Unbelievable heartbreak at this news. An incredible musician and a great guy (plus he was totally hilarious). Such a loss, especially to his wife Suzanne, and to Andy, Tommy and all Chris' colleagues and friends. Chris was always incredibly nice to me and "got" what I was doing musically. No higher compliment from a cool guy like him. Deepest condolences to all who were close to and loved this great soul.
So...the first time I ever see this guy...he is sitting in with us at Fitzwilly's in San Antonio...totally not his crowd...:-) I had no idea who he was...Chris Geppert says he is a legend...I figure...he must be okay or Chris wouldn't let him play his guitar. But he was kinda scary lookin'...I saw him talking to Geppert before we started and I thought he might be gonna start some shit or something...hahahahah! After the first break he comes up on stage.... plays a lick or two for tone...saunters up to the microphone looking kind of like a cross between Tiny Tim and Pancho Villa..and says to Buffy and Miff and all of their Coors light drinking friends in the audience..."we're gonna do a song by Elivs...he's not really dead...he's selling Toyotas in Antarctica..."
Now how cool the fuck is that? I was blown away...then he starts one night with you...and I knew I had to play with him! TT
Chris was a tremendous talent....someone I always looked up to as one of the greatest blues men of our time. I knew him since the Eastwood Revue days. You always knew you were gonna have fun when Chris sat in with you. Loved him and will miss him!
Hello and thanx for the ad! :) Im a musician by trade, and I have never played with Chris, but I grew up in this town with the Chris Holzaus band always in flyers and bars I went to. I watched him play great songs with talanted guitar licks. Thanx for the great music and great times, bro. It is a sad day today.
I will miss you Chris. Enjoyed the times we jammed together and when we talked about music and the players we knew from the old St Ann's/Beacon Hill area. A lot of great players came from there. You were the BEST one. You knew it was never about how many notes you could cram into a measure but the soul and feeling you put into your playing. My prayers and best to your family.
I just heard the news last night. Chris, rest in peace Brother. We have lost one of Texas' greatest sons. The gifts you left behind will be forever remembered. I know that I have and will always treasure the jewels that you bestowed on me when I was just learning to play.
I never played with anyone in my life that I enjoyed playing with more than Chris Holzhaus. Musical relationships are always like marriages....many people you work with are always looking for the next best thing...they talk about how good so and so that plays your instrument is....Chris always made me feel like he was completely satisfied knowing that I was there to play with him. That is why I would be anywhere at anytime for him at the drop of a hat....for whatever it paid....because it meant something to him.... He always deferred to me on production of his music often saying..."you're it...you know my sound", which always left me puzzled...how could I possibly know....I felt so inadequate....he had more subliminal unspoken musical ability than can be learned or taught to anyone in a lifetime, just listen to the grace and poise of his guitar...and I supposedly "knew" his sound...it is a reflection of lifetimes together of friendship and comraderie. I wish so much that we could have realized the many dreams of records we wanted to make together but alas...the music business never afforded us the time or the money...now...we are all out of time... We never got to some of those places my friend...but we don't need no instruments or venues or records or managers or money....the music we made together is eternal and ongoing...in the love, respect and communication that we always had and will have...on a much much higher level of existence...I loved you from the first note I ever heard you play...and you never played a bad show or let anyone down musically the entire time I knew you. You always treated me like a king and I should be so lucky to be in your musical court. Tommy Taylor
I've known Chris for over 40 years. We played many, many gigs together. We talked last week. Last thing I said was, "I love you, man." He said, "I love you, too." So, there you are. Suzanne, Kim and my thoughts are with you on this very sad day. Chris was one of a kind. I'm gonna miss him.
