Fans Remember Billy Todd (#428)
For
this week's entry, I'd like to share a few of the things readers of
Danny's Diary have written about Billy Todd, who passed away November
30 at the age of 79.
But before I do, let me add that Singing
News will have a tribute to Billy in the FEBRUARY issue of the
magazine. I'm sure we'll receive a few letters and calls, demanding an
explanation as to why there is nothing about Billy in the January issue
(this is a common occurrence that usually happens when someone passes
away in the latter half of a month). Long story short, the January
issue was already at the printer when Billy died, and thus, it was not
possible to include that information.
As you probably already
know, Billy was greatly loved by the people of the Southern Gospel
music. So as one final tribute to Billy, here are thoughts of many of
the lives that Billy touched.
I
remember hearing Billy with the Florida Boys in the '70s I believe. I
had all their records, but was amazed how much better Billy sang in
person! I had one opportunity to share the stage with him when I sang
with a local quartet from the Seattle, WA., area. He was every bit the
gentleman you described, and came on our bus for a three-hour ride to
that night's concert, during which he regaled us with stories from the
road and his personal life. My wife was along for that ride, and she
believes Billy had never forgotten a date, place, or happening in his
life or career. He told the stories with laughter and great gusto.
After we sang that night, he went out of his way to compliment our
group members, and offered words of encouragement for our singing and
ministry. That night he was in rare form and hit every note and every
ending with power. He is a great loss to the SG community, and truly
deserves every accolade that comes his way.Dave HolleyThe
first time I met Billy in person was when my son, John, was with the
Dove Brothers Quartet. I had the privilege to go with them to the
Brumley Singing in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Billy came over to me and
sat down just like he knew me his whole life. He talked for a while.
From then on every time I saw him He remembered me and would always
tell me what a fine son I had and how he thought John was blessed by
God with such a wonderful tenor voice. I personally think Billy was the
The Perfect Southern Gospel Gentleman and was the one Blessed by God
with the finest bass voice and wonderful personality. Those of us who
knew him will miss him but Heaven is certainly richer today! Can you
just imagine the home coming he received with all his bass singing
rivals LOL! WHAT A SAVIOUR, AMEN!!!Duane RulapaughOk,
you made a grown man cry with your last line of your Billy Todd diary
entry. When the Carolina Boys were at the quartet convention held in
Fresno, CA., in 2004, Billy and I would go across the street and have
breakfast together each day. It was something I will never forget.Ed MartinBilly
Todd was my dad's best friend. My family lives in Texas and met Billy
while he was singing with the Florida Boys. The friendship with all the
guys was instant. But Billy was just special. He and my dad just
clicked. After Billy left the group, we could pick up the phone and
call him and no matter what he was doing he would take time to sit and
chat and catch up on each others families. We were able to rekindle the
long distance friendship when he joined the Dixie Echoes. It was great
for me! He knew me all my life but for me to get to know him in my
adult life was a true blessing. I will always remember when he would
sing "TOO MUCH TO GAIN TO LOSE." You could see on his face that he had
more to look forward to in Heaven. Billy was a blessing to me and my
family. We will miss him terribly. God bless Jane, Robin and David
& family.Tina MorganI
always thought that Billy Todd was the best bass singer in Gospel Music
for many years and I often told him so. I met Billy during our tenure
on "The Gospel Singing Jubilee" and he was one fine gentleman. The
Couriers were the "greenhorns" of the groups that were featured that
first year on GSJ but Billy treated us with the utmost respect. He
always had a ready smile and it was genuine to the core. When Billy
said he was glad to see you, you knew he meant it. His wife, Jane,
was also so nice to us and our hearts and prayers go out to her. My dad
had the dreadful disease of Alzheimer's so I know what she had to go
through and how sad it was to watch such a fine intelligent man drift
into the fog of no remembrance that he even sang bass nor who his
friends were. May God put His arms around the Todd family as they lay
such a fine man to rest.Duane Nicholson (The Original Couriers)Billy
Todd was truly a friend. Even in the worse of times, he always had a
smile on his face and a kind word to say. If anyone on earth over the
past 79 years ever showed the compassion of Jesus, it was Billy Todd.
Our loss is heaven's gain! Pastor Dick DavisI
knew Billy Todd way back when they taped "The Gospel Singing Jubilee"
in Nashville, Tennessee. My mother and I would come to the taping a lot
and would always bring a big coffee maker and homemade cookies for the
groups to enjoy. What a thrill that was. I have never seen Billy
since then that he didn't have time to stop and talk. In later years
when the NQC moved to Louisville, we would meet Billy a lot of times at
Cracker Barrel and enjoy talking and eating with him. What wonderful
people Billy and Jane Todd are. Billy, I will see you in HEAVEN.Marcella ReedWell said, everyone. Well said.