From time to time I get asked what some of my favorite memories of meeting other artists are. I have so many! I was a fan of this music (and still am) for as far back as I can remember!
My Grandfather was a pastor in Dayton, Ohio, and we always had music in our lives. We went to, and hosted several local and regional concerts. I was addicted to the music. Loved it!
It was real treat anytime I got to go to Memorial Hall in Dayton, Ohio. As a kid I cut my teeth on this music in this great venue. I saw the Cathedrals, Kingsmen, Gold City, Paynes, Inspirations, Cookes, McKameys, Spencers, Hinsons, Heavenbound, Bishops, Greater Vision, Mark Lowry, Michael English, Martins, the list goes on and on.
As far as I know they no longer have concerts in that building anymore. The building still stands.
I loved seeing the Kingsmen because of Anthony Burger. I was just a kid at the time and I can remember the excitement I had as I would wait for the doors to open. I would hand the usher my ticket find my seat, sit in it for about three minutes. The whole time, I would be so excited. Just seeing those four microphones, the piano, and other instruments on that stage was almost as good as Christmas for me!
But, one night in particular stands out. I was just starting to play piano. I had turned 16 and had driven to the concert myself. I saved up my money from my job washing dishes at a restaurant and was counting down the days to the concert. I had bought a ticket close to the stage and I was on the piano side. All I can remember from that night is how well Anthony Burger played. He was amazing. I was inspired. Just blown away, really.
Being 16, I had forgotten that I had to pay to park, and I forgot to budget for gas and things like that, so I was a little short on cash once I bought my ticket and everything. I had to be very selective and only buy the tapes I could afford at the time. I had purchased some tapes from Gold City (they were on the program) and when I came over to buy the "special" from the Kingsmen I came up short. Alot short. Like $15 short.
Prior to picking out the tapes I wanted, I had spoken to Anthony for quite a while. Truthfully, I HAD to have gotten on his nerves. I asked him a million questions. He answered EVERY one of them. As I went to pay for my tapes, I reached in my pocket and re-counted my money several times. I was so embarrassed. I had to put some stuff back. Anthony must have picked up on this. I put some stuff back, bought what I could afford and turned and walked away. I watched the entire second half and, was once again, blown away.
After the concert ended, I walked to Anthony, told him he was my favorite part of the evening. He smiled and simply said "thanks". As I was walking away I heard him say "hey kid"... I turned around, walked back to his table and he gave me a bag full of stuff. Songbooks, tapes, etc. I was in shock. He said "here, take these, listen to them and practice, practice, practice!"
And so, I did.
I told him this story and how it affected me and my life forever. Because, in a sense, when he handed me those tapes, I got the feeling that he believed in me. Yet, he didnt even know my name. I had to practice now! Anthony Burger just told me to!! When he heard me tell him this story, he laughed and said, "I remember doing that!" He couldn't recall the city, but he did remember the evening. We laughed about it all the time.
So, in closing, this article is for all of the artists out there who have made a difference in someone's life by simply handing them a CD and letting them know that anything is possible if they will work hard, pray hard, and practice, practice, practice!
Until Next Month!
See ya at the table!