Former Toledoans up for award

'Teardrops are Falling' by George Harmonica Smith and The Rocket 88's.

A pair of former Toledo blues musicians are members of a band that is a finalist for the Best Historical Blues Album in the Memphis Blues Awards contest.

Bill Tarsha, who played for years in Toledo as "Bullit Bill" Tarsha, and his wife, Susie Lowe Tarsha, a bass player, are members of The Rocket 88's. "Teardrops Are Falling" an album by George Harmonica Smith and the Rocket 88's, is nominated for the award, which will be announced today.

Also nominated are Etta James, Junior Wells, Freddie King, and Howlin' Wolf.

The Tarshas have lived in Phoenix for more than 30 years. They played throughout the '70s in Toledo, opening for a number of musicians. Bill Tarsha is a Cardinal Stritch High School graduate and Lowe-Tarsha is a Waite High School graduate.