King Ernest played the Road House in 1999. Sadly it would be his last performance there. News arrived early in the year 2000 that King Ernest had been killed in an auto accident on the way home from a performance. It was a great loss to the Blues world. Although he was a comensurate performer, Ernest never received the credit that he was due during his lifetime which was a shame considering the amount of talent he had. The lack of recognition or the fact that he wasn't famous didn't seem to bother him, however. I never saw a performance where he didn't give 110%. It was also evident that the King enjoyed what he did and loved his fans. He knew exactly how to play to the audience and his voice was magnificent. The Blues has lost yet another great performer and a friend.