By Scott Coopwood (with permission from The Bolivar Bullet)
On February 5, Cleveland lost a remarkable man. Paul Abraham passed away after a long
health struggle, leaving behind a story that many in town may never have fully known.
His name might not ring familiar to everyone, but Paul lived a life deeply intertwined with one of
the most legendary Southern rock bands of all time — Lynyrd Skynyrd. And through that
connection, I was fortunate enough to know him.
More than twenty years ago, I became close friends with the late Ed King, one of Lynyrd
Skynyrd’s founding members. Ed co-wrote some of the band’s biggest hits alongside singer
Ronnie Van Zant, including the iconic “Sweet Home Alabama.” The unforgettable guitar work
on that song — that was Ed.
Not long after our friendship began, Ed asked me a question out of the blue: Do you know a guy in Cleveland named Paul Abraham?”
At the time, I didn’t. I had never heard the name. However, I soon learned that Paul was the
person responsible for bringing Lynyrd Skynyrd to Cleveland back in the early days, when they
played the Bolivar County Expo Center on March 7, 1974, during their “Second Helping” tour
— fresh off a national run opening for The Who.
That was the beginning of Paul’s long association with the band. In the years after the tragic
plane crash, during what many call the band’s second phase, Paul became Lynyrd Skynyrd’s
road manager — a trusted presence behind the scenes in one of rock music’s most storied
chapters.
Over the years, as Ed visited me here in Cleveland, I finally met Paul through him. We
connected instantly, bonded by our shared friendship with Ed and our mutual love for the
music and history of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
The hours the three of us spent together are too many to count. Sitting with Ed and Paul was
like being given a front-row seat to rock-and-roll history — listening to them swap stories about
touring across America, Europe, and Japan, and recalling unforgettable moments with Skynyrd
and so many other legendary acts. Those conversations were priceless, and I will always be
grateful to have been there to hear them.
After his time with Skynyrd, Paul worked briefly with musician Michael Peterson, and the singer
of Bad Company, Paul Rodgers. Then, through Ed, another door opened.
In an interview with Delta Magazine, Paul recalled how Ed encouraged him to speak with Billy
Ray Cyrus, who was looking for a tour manager. What began as a simple conversation turned
into more than a decade on the road — twelve years of music, travel, and unforgettable
experiences. Those years even gave Paul a front-row glimpse into the early life of a young
Miley Cyrus.
When Paul finally stepped away from touring in 2010, he began doing something different:
writing.
He started putting down memories from his years on the road — the wild, unpredictable, once-
in-a-lifetime stories that only that kind of life can produce. Eventually, those reflections became
his memoir, The Gospel According to Abraham: From Delta Boy to Tour Manager. In this book,
Paul didn’t hold back. He told it all — the good, the bad, and the ugly — with honesty and
heart.
Though rock music shaped so much of his career, Paul never forgot where he came from. He
often spoke of his upbringing in Leland and how his Delta roots gave him a deep appreciation
for music, especially the blues.
Paul Abraham may not have been a household name, but he lived a life that most people only
dream about — a life filled with music, adventure, friendship, and unforgettable stories. More
importantly, he was a genuine soul: loyal, passionate, and larger than life in the quietest way.
Cleveland didn’t just lose a man on February 5 — it lost a connection to an extraordinary piece
of American music history. I will always feel honored to have known Paul, to have shared time
with him, and to remember the warmth, laughter, and incredible legacy he leaves behind.
Rest easy, my friend. Your road stories will never fade.