[Harp-L] Al Eichler of AHN

[BassHarp <bassharp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Saturday I received a phone call from Dolores Eichler telling of the 
passing of Al on Tuesday, December 27, 2005. The funeral was held on 
Friday, December 30.

Al, Editor-Publisher of American Harmonica Newsmagazine, of Battle 
Creek, Michigan, began publishing the only totally harmonica periodical 
of the time as a monthly, as the American Harmonica Newsletter. This  
continued until 1998, when it was renamed the American Harmonica 
Newsmagazine. As of January 1, 2003, it became a bi-monthly publication, 
which allowed a larger issue with more stories, biographies, recording 
reviews, etc. This was a labor of love for nearly 19 years.

A number of years ago - I've lost track - Al was joined by Phil Lloyd, 
of Troy, Michigan, as Contributing Editor. An employee of the famed 
Detroit News, Phil brought with him a huge background of newspaper 
skills to assist Al.

In my conversation with Dolores, she revealed that she has been working 
for the past many months to refund unused subscription fees, and to also 
respond to product and back issue orders and filling them as quickly as 
possible. She states that she does have many back issues available for 
sale, as well as copies of Al's book, "The Big X on Harp", and Wendell 
'Harp Dog' Burnett's book, "Chromatic Harmonica Mysteries", and in 
addition she is also offering Al's considerable collection of harmonicas 
for sale - some new, some collectable, etc. Anyone wishing to contact 
her to send sympathy cards, or with regard to sale items, may contact 
her by mail at:

Dolores Eichler
104 Highland Ave
Battle Creek, MI 49015-3272

or by phone at: 269-962-2989.

And as noted in the September/October 2005 issue, the AHN publication is 
also for sale. Interested persons should contact her in this regard by 
mail only.

Rest in peace, Al. You will be missed more than you ever thought possible.

Good-bye, Friend,
Danny

--
BassHarp
PO Box 5061
Hudson, FL 34674-5061
http://www.bassharp.com/bh_itin.htm