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Consistently voted
"Best Blues Singer"
by readers of Atlanta Magazine
In 2002, Lotsa Poppa received a commendation, SR824, from the Georgia General Assembly:
A Resolution
Check out Bryan Powell's story in Creative Loafing about Poppa:
Poppa Don't Preach
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Judy & Poppa
For the past several years, Poppa was in a nursing home in Atlanta.
He pretty much had to stay in bed all the time, but he was always
happy to have visitors, and would even sing you a song!
Poppa and Christy, Jan 23, 2007
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August 2, 1935: Born Julius High Jr. to Anna and Reverend Julius High Sr. in Atlanta GA, and baptized by Martin Luther King Jr.
1940-1960: Sang in the Ebeneezer Baptist Church choir
September 4, 1962: First paid performance as "Little Julius" at the Knotty Pince Supper Club in Forest Park GA as a member of "The Royals"
Summer 1963(?): Nicknamed "Lotsa Poppa" in Chicago while on tour with Sam Cooke and Dinah Washington
November 1964: Recorded "That's Where It's At" and "The Bachelor" on Specialty Records
1965-1970: Was primary opening act for all major shows at the famous Royal Peacock Lounge on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta GA. He also toured with The Ink Spots, James Brown, and Jimmy Reed
March 1965: Recorded "A Tribute to Sam [Cooke]," which made the BMI charts
February 18, 1966: Married Juanita Justice, singer with Bobby "Blue" Bland, and the Atlanta Mass Choir
Spring 1975: Did 30 one-nighters with Sam Cooke, Dee Clark, Wilson Pickett, Dion Warwick, The Drifters, and Solomon Burke at such venues as the Uptown Theatre in Philadelphia, the Apollo Theatre in New York, and the Howard Theatre in Washington DC
Spring 1978: Moved to Bostom MA and began playing nightclubs and the college circuit throughout New England and Canada
Summer 1988: Moved back to Atlanta to be close to his aging parents
Spring 1989: Began a weekly stint at Blind Willie's in Atlanta after sitting in and singing one song on a Wednesday night, after which the bookkeeper called the owner and said "We need to hire him."
Spring 1996: Teamed up with the Atlanta Heat Blues Revue as his backup band
Summer 1996: Performed daily at the Centennial Olympics Equestrian Park
October 1998: Released his album "I'm All You'll Ever Need"
September 4, 2000: Played his 38th year Anniversary Show at the Auburn Avenue Elks Club in Atlanta
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Tellin' stories at Blind Willie's
Willie Hill with Lotsa Poppa at