[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 111 (Friday, August 7, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1639]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO ``BIG'' WALTER PRICE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 7, 1998

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
one of Houston's best known blues legends, Walter Price.
  Blues as a truly American art form has spun many legends throughout 
its' history, but those who are unique to each region of this nation 
are the most precious of all. Big Walter Price is just such a legend in 
blues circles in the City of Houston.
  Big Walter, as he is called, from his youth found music to be a 
consolation for the troubles of life and strove to bring gospel and 
blues to others as a gift of the spirit.
  He started out singing spirituals in church playing in C natural, the 
first key he taught himself to perform in. There was no one willing to 
teach the young Walter Price how to play the piano. He had to overcome 
adversity and resistance from others to hone his skill to become the 
blues master that many of Houston's connoisseurs of the art appreciate.
  His piano style is all his own, one that many musicians find 
difficult to follow.
  Walter Price began playing professionally in 1955, recording with Bob 
Tanner's TNT label out of San Antonio. This label was marketed to 
Hispanics and most of Mr. Tanner's artists recorded in Spanish. Bob 
Tanner signed Mr. Price in an effort to break into the ethnic record 
market, aimed at African Americans. Walter's first recording with TNT 
was a novelty tune called ``Calling Margie.'' Which initially did very 
well in record sells until it suddenly stopped being played over the 
air. On the record Walter spoke to a white operator while trying to 
reach a girl named Margie. He used the word honey when referring to the 
operator which white southerners took offense to and the record was 
pulled from the air.
  After World War II, the ethnic market was having huge successes. 
Walter Price recorded a string of successes with the TNT label before 
he was lured to Houston, Texas. He recorded for Don Robey at Duke/
Peacock Records and it was there that his career developed with the 
million selling hit, ``Shirley Jean.''
  Other songs Walter recorded at Duke/Peacock were ``Gambling Woman,'' 
``Hello Maria,'' ``You're the One I Need,'' ``Just Looking For a 
Home,'' and ``Pack, Fair and Square.''
  Mr. Price went to Eddie Schueller at Gold Band Records on Lake 
Charles after Don Robey sold Duke/Peacock records. At Gold Bank Records 
he recorded ``San Antone,'' ``Ramona'' and ``Here Comes the Bride.''
  Walter Price always loved gospel music, but his career was in blues.
  Walter Price has made Houston proud that he is one of our own. On 
behalf of the 18th Congressional District I would like to thank him for 
his contributions to blues.

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