Otis J. Porchia

Big O - there are no words to express the loss we feel. You are in our thoughts every day. We rescued a shepherd mix and named him in your honor! He's a handsome fella!

My husband and I loved to go listen to Big O at Westfield's by the Track many years ago. He had such a great voice! May he Rest In Peace.

Thinking about you Big O...
Miss your wonderful smile and being able to hear that awesome voice and the music to back it up... Won't be another like you man, only those in Heaven are blessed with your presence! Just wanted to let you know that I will always miss you...
I have a picture of you in my garage, and I smile every time I see it...
You always had that gift to make folks smile, and still do...
Love ya brother...
Javi C...

Otis I miss you everyday my friend. We had many of laughs and good times !

I and miss you pawpaw i know you smiling down on me saying everything ok

To the best father in law a girl could ever have. You never treated me like a daughter in law but as a daughter. I finally finished school so all your encouraging words paid off. Your grand kids are all doing fine you would be so proud. Oh and your grandson is a beast on that football field. I told you so many times how much I think you for all the help with the kids....oh how we miss you

Always and forever in my heart
I love you O.J.

Hey pops I was reading the comments they made me cry I truely miss u I miss listening u play "Shenika" I miss ur advice I miss our talks I miss ur concerts I miss going places with u I think about u all the time I know u a Aunt Sonya n heaven watching over us I LOVE U FOREVER POPS REST IN PARADISE.......LOVE UR 1ST granddaughter SHENIKA

I was thinking of you today. I miss you so much but I know your looking down at us with that big smile and my favorite wink. Love u.

Hey Pops It Your GrandDaughter An'Jelika I Miss you so much each day and i livetou you bless me everyday i know your watching me i just stop by i love you pawpaw

Uncle Otis I think of you often and many I miss that big smile of your's and I know you and Sonya are in heaven together. You will always be my uncle and I will always be your nephew and the Duncan family shall always hold you dear in our hearts.

Well O. Looks like BB made it. Think about u often. God bless. Miss u. Prayers to the family still here. Ron

With the recent death of B.B. King I found myself thinking about Otis again... He was such a huge part of my life. All of my college years were spent following him around and looking for places to watch him perform. He was such a great story teller and wonderful family man. As I am writing this, I am listening to him sing "If You Don't Know Me By Now."

The first date that my wife and I had was to see Big Otis, I actually got on stage and proposed to her at a later Big Otis Show, Thru the past 20+ years of marriage anytime we have had a disagreement that lasted longer than it should, one of us would play that Big Otis Cd that we bought at one of the shows, and the disagreement was over. Forever Big Otis will be a part of my family. Linda thank you for sharing your husband with us.

I wanted to take you on a journey thru life, but you couldn't join me so I carry you in my heart.
I love you and I always will.

Wow how the time flies. I cannot believe it has been three years since I first put an entry in his book. I have such good memories of Otis.
Linda, for what its worth I want you to know that one year after Otis passed I got the opportunity to record my own musical CD.
Otis was in my heart throughout the entire project. When I was in that singing booth, I looked to him for the inspiration I needed to sing the songs as best I could.
And lord knows I am nothing like the real deal Otis was, I tried to make him proud of me. And I know he was looking down on me with a big smile for his little buddy.
If you ever care to have a copy of the CD, it would be my pleasure to send you one. I know he would like that. Feel free to call me anytime at 713.647.1987
Pam and I really miss his shows, and the private party we had at our place is a treasured memory that can never be erased. God bless you.

Good nite, God Bless You, We love you, Sweet dreams. Ron and Peg

God has another angel with him. My father and Otis are jamming in heaven together.

My dearest husband...I miss you so much

Rip. Big Otis. It was Westfields
By the Railroad ! I remember Linda too. Y'all were like family
To everyone. Sorry for your loss Linda. Thank you for sharing such a great man ! No one like him

Wow. What a talent. I was a follower of Big Otis. And he could sing. I am just reading of his passing due to living to Austin, Tx a few yrs ago. I am sad to learn of the loss of Big Otis. We would always be at the club by the railroad in north Houston to hear him sing and we would be dancing on the tables as I am sure they are in heaven now ! Those were the best times ! Thank you Big Otis !

You are truly missed OJ. You made YouTube! I found a video of one of your shows. Rest in piece friend.

I miss you dearly I wish you were here to c your great grandkids grow you would truly enjoy them I miss all the things we use to do I miss all the advice you use to give me I miss the trips you use too take me marcus jose nd kellan every year I wish I could hear u play SHENIKA d guitar one more time we truly miss you I hope u nd sonya r n heaven watching over us all WE LOVE YOU mourn u til we join u.........

Blessings to ya Electa!!

Miss ya Big O!! It all started at Dirty Don's at FM1960 at Willowbrook Mall in Houston!

Otis, It's been well over a yr. now since your passing and as another new yr. sets to begin shorty, I find that I truly miss your friendship and music. But most of all the "hug" no matter when we walked in on your shows or as we left to go home. The times spent during your breaks talking smack. Funny thing though, whenever I hear a song that you've covered I have to smile because you do it better. Miss you big man. Luv ya. Ron Bassett

I did not know that Big Otis had passed until today. There was a group of us that used to follow him around the north Houston area -- wherever he was, that's where we would be -- that's been 20+ years ago now. I have never forgotten him. He just made you feel good. He would always sing 'Sittin on the Dock of the Bay' because he knew it was a favorite.
He will be missed. What a great talent.

I just now discovered this Guest Book for you, Otis. We were friends for 25+ years. I still cannot believe you are gone. You are missed more than you could know...but, somehow I know you know, tho, Otis. I never hear one of the songs you sang that I don't think of you and long for a time again to just sit and listen to your music.

I first listened to Otis along with my co-worker/friends at a small club in the Commons of Willowbrook Mall called "Dirty Don's"..near the Palais Royhal store where I worked for quite a while Several of us went every 4th or 5th Friday & Saturday night that Otis played there. We would set up tables right by the bandstand. We loved him, and Otis came to love all of us. Otis never failed to announce us as his "Palais Royal Sweethearts" That began back in 1989. We would also all get together and go see him at other venues such as 'Westfield By The Railroad' or 'Sherlocks;, etc. when he wasn't there near the mall so close to our store.
The last time I saw Otis was at a club in the Woodlands close to where I worked in real estate. That was in 2006.
I didn't find out that Otis had passed away until the fall of 2011 when I talked to Linda on the phone. I was speechless! Years ago he had given me his phone number so I could call when we all wanted to pay a visit to whatever venue he was playing. And, back in the early 90's he had given me a signerd photo of him. I still have it. I talked to Linda for a while and have kept in touch since.

I'm glad to be able to post a few thoughts of the many memories I have of the wonderful music of Otis and his "The Big Otis Show"

Rest in Peace, Otis. You are truly missed and you will never be forgotten!

Angie Snow

Dearest Otis: Here's to the good times. You are truly missed and will always live in our hearts.

Patsy Bee

If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane...I'd walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again. You have been gone a year today...that was the worst day of my life. OJ if love could bring you home you would already be here, I miss you so very much my love.
I thank God for the years we had and the joy you brought to my life, and for friends and an incredible family
Forever your wife, Linda

Big O you were one of a kind,your smile will be missed.I am sorry Linda for your loss. Bruce Larsen

To Otis, I know you and Billy Budd are jamming like crazy right now...I just found out that you had passed on, otherwise I would have been there to help send you off to your next journey...You will always be missed and never be forgotten...Billy loved you with all his heart, and I do, too.....Forever, Miss P

Oh my, we just found out that Otis passed away. What a wonderful human being.
His hug was sincere and his big smile would make you smile no matter what your mood. It was infectious. I never saw him without that smile.

My wife Pam and I first met Big O at Westfield's around 2001. We were there on a Tuesday evening, and I had parked my car on the side street. Pam noticed Otis was moving musical equipment from his truck to the stage and having to go past my car. Pam asked me to move the car to help him out and when I asked him if he wanted it moved, he replied “No thanks, it's fine where it is.� I then asked him if I could help him with his equipment and at first he said no, but a second later he said, “Well maybe you can help me with the heavy stuff�. A fond friendship was born that day. He informed me that he was going to be playing there the next evening and he gave Pam and I guest passes for the show. What a show it was. Pam and I went religiously on Wednesday evenings to see Big O and his band play for quite some time after that first evening.

In 2003 Pam and I lost our house in a fire. We lost everything. After rebuilding the new house, we were planning to have an Open House party and as I began thinking of bands that could maybe play at the party, Otis came to mind first. I knew we would probably not be able to afford him. I called Otis and informed him of our situation, and he made a truly unique and sincere offer. He would play for free, but he needed enough to cover his band members cost. What a wonderful contribution on his part. That defined Otis to me, truly a man with a heart of gold. He ended up playing at our party. It was a dream come true for Pam and I to have the honor of hosting Big Otis at our house. Wow! We were so thrilled. That party set the stage for becoming an annual event that Pam and I have had ever since. We call it Twigstock (a small Woodstock). We have since had numerous bands play over the years, but none will ever be as special to us as the one called “The Big Otis Show Band�.

Over the years Pam and I saw Otis from time to time at different venues. Whenever we would see him play it was always a special evening for us. He had a nickname for me and always referred to me as “Little Buddy�. I am going to miss you brother, rest in peace.

All our love goes out to every member of your family. We only experience bits and pieces of your life, and I know for those closer to you, what a painful loss this has to be.
I have a picture of Otis and I that he signed from an evening at Sullivan's.
It hangs in my garage next to my drum set. It is very special to me and means more
to me now than ever before.

If anyone is interested in any videos I have of Otis playing at our 2003 party, feel free to
call me at 713.647.1987 and I will be more than happy to share them. I have a small clip of him playing Mustang Sally on our website (aqueductroad.com).

Javi and Pam Cuellar

My goodness, Big O, I love you like a member of our family. Rest peacefully brother. Pam and I will miss you dearly. We first met O at Westfields around 2001 and went there on Wednesdays religiously to see him. The first day we met, I saw him moving some equipment in and it looked like he needed some help. He told me who he was and after helping him he offered us free passes for the show the next evening. He always referred to me from that day on as Little Buddy... In 2003 we had a house fire and lost everything... After rebuilding we had a party to celebrate the new house and Big O came through with an offer to play for free himself but just needed money to cover his band.... What an awesome man... His hug was genuine and his smile made you smile... All my love to you O.... Pam and I saw him many times all over Houston since our party... Our hearts go out to every family member... What a loss... I have video from our party which we call Twigstock... If anyone is interested in any video I have of Otis, feel free to call me at 713.647.1987
Respectfully,
Javi and Pam Cuellar

Otis, Heaven's show band welcomed a most talented singer and musician when you arrived. We will miss you. Prayers for your family. Ron & Peggy Bassett

I played many fun gigs with Otis. He and I had a wonderful friendship and being one the drummers for a jolly, bighearted guy like him was my privilage and honor.
I remember the time we played with Percy Sledge. Percy had a great time watching his show. Otis really could change the tempo of the room just by walking in with that big grin. You could see those pearly whites shining through that black beard from 30 feet away. It was a great feeling being hugged by him. He knew how to love his friends and family. I will miss you my friend and brother...Mark LeBlanc

Big Otis played our wedding almost 5 years ago, on December 30, 2006. My dad loved him from the start, and Big Otis and his people were wonderful to work with. He was absolutely wonderful at my wedding, and it felt just like having an old buddy singing on the dance floor with you. My favorite memory is of him singing 'Mustang Sally' to my mom, Sally. He was obviously a wonderfully kind man, and will be missed by many. Our condolences to his family and friends,
Meagan & Jeremy

July 7, 2011.

I just found out about "our" lose. I met "O" in 1985, he was taking a break from his regular job,the one he did when he wasn't making us happy, and was reading the paper. I made a joking comment about the news as I walked by, and a friendship was started. I always looked forward to seeing the big man, and felt it was a honor to know him. And he also meant a lot to our family. He went out of his way to play at our wedding, having to find replacement players in the band. He was one of the first persons we told that we were expecting. We could wait to introduce him to Brooke once she arrived, under the big sax on Richmond. I will always have a spot for him, and will miss him very much. My best to his wife, children, family, and other friends, we all should be thankful for the time we had with him, I am. Bless you Otis, keep it real for the other "Big Man".

Jim Follett

Rest in Peace, "O"...you were such a special part of our lives and we will miss you so much. You celebrated all of our milestones with us; birthdays, weddings and the birth of our daughter. You were a special man with a heart of gold. We love you.

Wherever you go my love, I will always follow.
I thank God for you.

Big Otis will be missed here too, in Bryan Texas. My last memory of my brother having fun before he passed away, was at a Big Otis performance at the Third Floor Cantina. Otis made us all feel like we were family members of the band and even let my off key self sing! A gentlemen enters heaven to perform for all gone before us. God Bless his family at this very difficult time and thank you for sharing Big Otis with the rest of the world. RIP Big Otis! Jodie

To the Family of Big Otis. Your husband, dad, grand dad,brother,uncle will be greatly missed. The thing I remember most about him was that great big old smile he always had. My brother Byron played saxophone with the Big Otis Show for many years. From the first time I met him he was always the same. we used to always tease him by saying "Oh MY God it's a starer" and there would be that smile. Now God has called his star home. Just know that God does not make mistakes, he was ready for the Big Otis Show to perform for the angels. His memory will live on in all of us. "Wall to Wall, Back to Back"
--------Barbara Caine

I will always remember that special wink you always gave me. You were always there for me. I will always have that special place in my heart for you. Love you always!!!