Irma and Margie Safe But Devastated

This info on Irma Thomas and Margie Joseph was forwarded by our friend, Nancy McAfee, of KPFT in Houston. It's from the Soul Music Store.

Hi everyone

It has, of course, been quite a week for all of us: the effects of Hurricane Katrina are being felt worldwide and for those of us who know folks from the Gulf Coast, it has been particularly tough watching the images on television. Members of the soul music community worldwide have been particularly concerned with the slew of R&B legends who live in the affected areas: we do know that Allen Toussaint, Fats Domino and The Neville Brothers are safe and although we don't know how some of our soul brothers and sisters are faring - and our prayers go out for all of them - we did find out about IRMA THOMAS and MARGIE JOSEPH.

Thanks to Manuel Esparza of Chicano Magazine, we were in touch with Irma: she and her family are safe but she has lost her home and all her possessions; if soul music lovers wish to send donations, they will be gratefully received. Address is Irma Thomas, PO 1274, Gonzales, LA 70707-1274. (NOTE: I cannot verify that is address is accurate; so, you might want to check it before you send any funds. --Dan)

Manager Sue Tapper has also thankfully given us an update on Margie, whose home in Gauthier, Mississippi was also completely destroyed. She and her family are safe and Margie asks that concerned members of the soul music community send any donations in her name to the Mississippi Children's Home Services and Cares Center, Inc. at: http://www.mchscares.org. Our prayers go to both soul ladies and their families.

I have no word of the fate of the Lion's Den, the club Irma and her husband owned and ran. I think the area where it was located got water. It is right across Broad from the city jail.