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© St. Petersburg Times, published February 17, 2002
Blues harpist honored posthumously
Rock Bottom, the revered blues harp player who died suddenly in September, has been honored with a 2002 Florida Folk Heritage Award, awarded by the state to Floridians judged to have enriched folk arts in the state.
Born David Clark York, the musician was perhaps better appreciated by European blues fans than he was here. He had returned to St. Petersburg from a European tour just days before he died at home in his sleep at 53.
Also receiving the folk heritage award are Charles Atkins, a Tallahassee blues musician known as Sir Charles, and Sullivan Pugh and the late Iola Pugh of Miami, who performed as the gospel group the Consolers.
J. Russell Reaver, a Florida State University professor and founder of the Florida Folklore Society and the Florida Folk Festival, was honored as the 2002 Folk Culture Advocate.
The winners were honored with a resolution from Gov. Jeb Bush and the state Cabinet, and recognized during an awards presentation Wednesday at a meeting of the Florida Historical Commission.