That feeling of contentment

As I've said many times here in the past, one of the most fulfilling tasks I'm entrusted with in my life is writing the monthly history articles for Southern Gospel News.

And not merely because it gives me the opportunity to share my love for the great tradition of this great music...though that's certainly part of it.

What really makes me thankful is writing about people who are true heroes of mine...telling their story, and giving them the credit they so deserve...and if they're still around to see it, and they are pleased with my decidedly humble efforts, I get the feeling I made a difference.

Not all the people I've written about are still here to see what I've written...real gospel music heroes such as Paul Downing, JD Sumner, London Parris(who at least I knew and was a friend of), Don Smith(who was like a father to me), and Earl Weatherford have gone on to a better place...where their rewards are infinitely greater than anything I could say or do for them here.

But in some cases, people who were dear loved ones of theirs, such as Ann Downing, Earline Starnes, and Lily Fern Weatherford, saw what I wrote and were touched, and told me so. The fact that I was able to make such people feel better about their memories of their wonderful loved ones makes me feel good inside...and I am humbly happy I was able to do them a good service, thanks to God.

And in some other cases, like my friends in the Couriers, Neil Enloe, Duane Nicholson, and Dave Kyllonen, not only were they able to read what I wrote, they told me how much it meant to them...and became dear friends themselves. My articles really didn't do that much for them, people already knew the great things they did musically and for the Kingdom on earth, but I was happy to help keep their memory and legacy alive. The repayment I got in return is much, much more than I deserve for my efforts.

Another ex-Courier, L. David Young, also has become a good friend. I was happy beyond words to find that he and his family were touched by my article on him, and there's nothing I can do that's too much for a true legend of gospel music...and one of the finest people who ever devoted their talents to it. I'm glad to know "Little" David, and even more glad to call him friend.

I was determined that my article on the late Don Baldwin(founder of the Couriers)would be seen and read by him before he went on to his eternal reward, and thanks to his wife Cheri, it was. And nothing made me prouder to hear from Cheri than Don himself enjoyed my article on him. I wasn't fortunate enough to meet Don in his lifetime, but I'll always consider him a good friend...in the same way his ex-colleagues are today. I was glad that he got to see my humble tribute to him before he had to keep his appointment with his eternal destiny.

In fact, I'm very proud that my piece on the Goss Brothers not only met the approval of brothers Roni and Lari, but made friends of them. I've never met kinder people(or talked to them)than the Gosses...sometimes I'm amazed at how blessed I am.

And this month, I'm touched again at the response to my article on the Toney Brothers...not only from my newest good friends, Neil Enloe and Duane Nicholson(who are like members of the extended Toney family, such is the depth of their friendship with them), but others who know the Toney story well, like one ex-pianist of theirs(apologies for his name escaping my memory as I type this), Noel Walters(whose own group, the Christian Troubadors, deserve an article of their own), and one of the original brothers, Jim Toney. To get their approval means the world to me, and I thank them all for their posted comments.

For these people were originally my gospel music heroes, and now they are my friends. My humble and seemingly futile(sometimes)efforts to repay them for how they've blessed me in my lifetime has resulted in rewards far in excess of what I could ever deserve from them, and I'm glad I could impact their lives even in a small way.

Thanks, fellas...for everything. I hope others will remember you and your work in the same way I do.

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