How Two Temptations, a Birmingham Family, and a Dream of Connection Inspired SurfSideSafe

It All Started in Birmingham, Alabama

A true story of kindness, music, and connection. Learn how the legacy of Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams of The Temptations helped shape the spirit behind SurfSideSafe.

Sometimes, the greatest stories begin in the most unexpected places.

For SurfSideSafe, that story started right here in Birmingham, Alabama - long before social media even existed - in a small family business known as the Souse Meat House.

It was owned by my mother’s first cousin, Sammy Cantavespre, his father — my great uncle, known lovingly as “Pop” Cann — and his brother, Anthony. They were ordinary men with extraordinary hearts. They believed in people. They believed in giving others a chance.

And one day, they did something remarkable — something that would help change music history forever.

Two Young Dreamers With Big Voices

In those days, two young men — Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams — worked hard by day delivering souse meat to grocery stores, and sang on the streets of Birmingham by night.

Their voices carried hope, soul, and raw emotion. You could feel their dreams in every note.

When the time came for them to chase those dreams to Detroit, Pop Cann didn’t hesitate. He wasn’t a wealthy man, but he reached into his own pocket and gave Eddie and Paul the money they needed to go.

He didn’t do it for fame or recognition — he did it because he believed in them. Because that’s what good people do.

That simple act of kindness helped launch The Temptations, one of the most legendary groups in music history.

When Legends Came Home

Years later, when the Temptations came back to Birmingham to perform, it was more than just another show — it was a homecoming.

Four of the original five were there: Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franklin, joined by Dennis Edwards, who had replaced David Ruffin.

I was in high school then, and I was lucky enough to spend time with Eddie and Paul — not as a fan, but as a friend. I still remember visiting them at their parents’ home that fall weekend. They laughed, told stories, and carried themselves with the same humility they had before the world knew their names.

That’s who they were — genuine, down-to-earth men whose fame never overshadowed their humanity.

A Friendship That Stayed True

Over the years, I stayed in touch with them. When Paul’s health forced him to leave the group, it broke my heart — but he was always a joy to be around.

Eddie remained as kind and soulful as ever. I’ll never forget visiting him in the hospital the day before he passed. Losing him was hard. He was one of the great ones.

After Eddie’s passing, I kept in touch with his mother, Mrs. Kendricks — one of the sweetest, most gracious women I’ve ever known.

People often say legends never die. I believe that’s true — because their kindness, their music, and their spirit live on in the people they touched.

The Spirit That Inspired SurfSideSafe

When I began building SurfSideSafe, I thought a lot about Eddie, Paul, and my family — about the people who gave without expecting anything in return.

SurfSideSafe was created with that same spirit:

💙 Kindness first

💙 Real connections matter

💙 Everyone deserves to be seen and heard

On the live SurfSideSafe site, I even created profiles for Eddie and Paul — not as celebrities, but as a tribute to two genuine souls whose friendship helped shape what I believe in most: community, loyalty, and heart.

Birmingham’s Legacy Lives On

Birmingham has always been a city full of quiet greatness — a place where people lift each other up and give hope to dreamers.

And now, with SurfSideSafe, that spirit is alive again — only this time, it’s online.

This isn’t just another social network.

It’s a mission — built from love, music, family, and the kind of human connection that never goes out of style.

Because at SurfSideSafe, we believe in more than likes and followers.

We believe in people.

Join the Legacy

From the streets of Birmingham to the heart of Motown, this story proves that one act of kindness can echo for generations.

That same heartbeat now powers SurfSideSafe — a place where kindness is currency, memories matter, and genuine connections thrive.

🌊 Be part of the movement.

Join us today at SurfSideSafe.

And help us continue the story that started with love, music, and family.

Just tap the picture below.

AND always Remember:

This is SurfSideSafe. If they got it, we got it. And if we ain’t got it, we’ll build it.

Feature Image is the original headquarters of Motown - Courtesy of Creative Commons.