There was an old upright piano in the living room of my childhood home. My family spent many evenings standing behind my sister, Betty, looking over her shoulder singing from an old blue-back hymnal or a Songs of Inspirations song book. People would come to our home and we would have gospel singings right there in that living room. I, myself, would have rather been outside playing! Daddy would send a sister, Betty or Elizabeth, to run me down and drag me back to the house because Daddy wanted me to sing with my family. For some reason, my sisters found great pleasure in this.
Daddy was the Song Leader at Swan Creek Baptist Church. One of the main reasons that he was selected was because he was willing and he did not need a PA system! Looking back, I now realize that God had put a song in his heart. He firmly believed that the song service was everyone's opportunity to participate and be a part of the worshiip service.
I met my wife, Carol, as a result of her playiing the piano at Swan Creek Baptist Church. The very best of my life has been fulfilled as a result of God's gift of music.
I have traveled many miles since those early days, from singing with my family to leading the singing at Swan Creek when my Daddy was no longer able. Then, with learning to sing in a choir under the direction of some exceptional Choir Directors, like Gilbert Westberry and Wilson Henderson that taught me how to read music and my part along with how to sing tenor instead of 'just sanging'.
I am grateful to be able to travel and share God's gift as a tenor with the gospel group, "Southridge". I am especially grateful to be allowed to lead the music at Mooresville Baptist Church. It is my honor to serve a living God that died for my sins and rose again so that I will one day spend eternity with him in Heaven. With the gift that God has provided me, I am grateful to be able to sing his praises!
