Transitions - In Memorium:

SAD NEWS. .... I'm heartbroken to have to pass on the news that legendary Texas guitarist and Blues man CHRIS HOLZHAUS has passed away on Friday the 11th of July about 4 pm. Chris was a pal to me and a friend to countless others. He is dearly missed. What a remarkable life. The world is more empty without him. We have all lost another musical treasure and a local icon of the South Texas sound. A very very sad day indeed. My deepest condolences to his wife and family. Happy dreams and a safe journey brother Chris......  

Below are PDF links to Obituary notices AND copies of the guest book.
Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home:
Obituary main page - HERE
Guestbook page 1 & 2 - HERE & HERE . PDF version of SA express News Obits: HERE .  

Below is another discussion from the Chris myspace page.
http://www.myspace.com/chrisholzhaus

A Chris Holzhaus benefit show - Sun Aug 3rd, 08 scheduled TBA at Sam's Burger Joint. Several 'must-see' acts performing. Proceeds to benefit members of Chris's family with expenses. Be there ...

 

From the page about the original Cancer Benefit show in Nov of 2007.

CHRIS HOLZHAUS BENEFIT - NOV 18 TH, 07 - SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS: -- Legendary Texas guitar virtuoso Chris Holzhaus is battling colon cancer. He needs our support. There will be a benefit on his behalf at Sam's Burger Joint in San Antonio on Nov 18th 07'. This place use to be Billy Blues a few years back. Its just off Broadway at Josephine, on the corner of Josephine and Grayson. Eric Johnson, Stephen Bruton, Augie Meyers and many more are ready to pick. Please try to make if it you can and please spread the word. Show starts @ 3:00pm till ? Hope to see you there. Think good thoughts on Chris' behalf.

Chris Holzhaus benefit: updated list of performers

Eric Johnson / Rosco Beck / Tommy Taylor / Delbert McClinton Stephen Bruton / Augie Meyers / Nick Connolly / Don Wise Ruben V / Debbie Walton / Jack Barber

USER REVIEWS AND OTHER COMMENTS

YOUTUBE VIDEO: Chris Holzhaus with Augie Meyers Nov18th,07' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GoHeZTVoCs  

VAL MORA - EYEWITNESS REVIEW.

Man, what a show! I got there around 5pm and unfortunately missed Chris playing with the first act, but I immediately ran into Chris, hugged him (several times through the night) and sat down with the sax player and keyboardist for Delbert. Very nice gentlemen.

Van was up next and boy did he deliver. He played all the tunes I'm familiar with and more. He also offered up his CD's as donations, so I immediately snatched one up.I had taken my better looking half, Jane and my 16 year old who is learning guitar. I found 'em seats, but later I would introduce them to Eric and Delbert. I was everywhere from that point on, just making myself available to help Chris and Suzanne.

Next up was Ruben V. What can I say about this young man? He smoked his guitar and offered it up to Chris. Just about every song he plays is delivered with an intensity that has to be witnessed. I've known Val (Ruben's bass player) forever. We went to the same high school though I was a senior when he was a freshman. Needless to say, many times we have both been mistaken, by name, to be the other. So, I always tell him, "Val to Val, you're a badass mo'fo'!".

One of my favorite musicians to jam with was up next. Augie Meyers brought his Alamo city style of Tex Mex Blues and showed the house how it's done. His lyrics about San Antonio south side chics always gets me laughing. Everyone got movin' to "Hey Baby Que Paso?" at the sound of " Hey...". I was talking to Mrs. Meyers backstage afterwards and struggled to remind her when Augie and she visited the Far West Rodeo (now Cowboys) when I was running the stage sound and lights there. I mistakenly thought it was for her birthday when she kiddingly said that Augie introduces a lot of ladies as his wife. For a while I thought I was going to get Augie in trouble, but finally he reminded her that it was her 10 year high school reunion they had attended back in '99. They both were laughing about it.

What can I say about the next performer? I first met Eric Johnson in the summer of '76 when my original band Heyoka performed on the same bill with the Electromagnets at a 3 day outdoor gig in Somerset just south of SA. Eric is the epitome of the southern gentleman who happens to melt faces with his guitar wizardry. I gotta admit, in between bands, I found myself on the tour bus talking to Eric just to catch up. Back in '88, we both performed for Ray Henning's birthday (Heart of Texas) at the Emily Morgan. Eric and Jack Orbion asked me when the original Heyoka was going to have a reunion. Dito, Gerardo and myself were there, so you never know. Then Eric played. All the guitarists were lined up at the stage with their mouths open. Eric sings, then all the ladies mouths drop open. Then he plays his signature "licks at the speed of sound" and mouths drop again. Hey, I'm not kidding. I saw this from the side stage. Of course, I was jaw-dropping on all of the bass licks which were intricate left hand lines accompanied by right hand chord tapping. Always a learning experience for me.

I was glad to see Richard Potter play sax with Ruben V earlier. I knew him since '81. So I bought him a drink and shot the shit, but I guess he Delbert noticed 'cuz the next thing I know Delbert is asking me if I would go get his triple shots of Grey Goose Vodka. I didn't mind. Earlier that day, I introduced Delbert to my 2 year old grandson. He leans in and says, "What a pretty baby girl". To which I inform him that he's a boy. "What pretty blue eyes, though. But, his eyes do look like yours". So I say, "Yeah, but his aren't red". So, I guess he got the idea that I was the drink gopher at that time. I had a beer all night, but man, he must've had at least 5 of these triple shots! And he didn't miss a beat. The man who taught John Lennon how to play harmonica also gave a lesson in classic RB that night. He was on like King Kong. Chris was on stage with him, of course. So, I couldn't go to Chris for the funds when Delbert gave me the "get me a shot drink" hand maneuver to his mouth. So, I found out a triple shot of Grey Goose is $11.00! When I went to hand the drink to Delbert, Chris grabs the mic and with the biggest smile on his face loudly states, "And thankyou Val Mora!". So, it was all worth it. It was a very magical night, Mike. Just now, I realized, with the exception of the first act and Delbert, I've had the honor to jam with each person that played that night. Chris and Van, Ruben, Augie and Eric. Believe me when I say that I have a lot to be thankful for this holiday. Especially in having the fortune of playing with great musicians throughout my career. One of those greats was Rick Majni.

I know Rick was there right beside us and enjoying a great night. Now, this Sunday will be Rick's memorial. He was a very humble man with a love and talent for music as big as the universe. I miss him. We are going to send up our mystic musical prayer loud and proud so that it reaches the corners of the universe. So, listen up. You might be able to hear it up there in the Big D! Sunday Nov 25 will be another magical night! Thanks for all your help with the archive. Keep in touch Mike.
Your Buddhist bass playin' buddy,

Val Mora / N'SOMNIA