Original image by There Stands the Glass.
News of the deaths of Johnny Nash, Eddie Van Halen and Reverend John Wilkins hit me like a sorrowful triple-whammy yesterday. Yet a report about the premature death of a family member hours later truly devastated me. That’s why I’m not listening to “Eruption” or “I Can See Clearly Now” today. Instead, I’m taking solace in the Memphis gospel of the Wilkins clan. Discovering the cryptic country blues songs of Robert Wilkins including his famous "That's No Way to Get Along" thrilled me decades ago. His music continues to inspire me. I raved about You Can’t Hurry God, the debut album of Robert’s son Reverend John Wilkins at There Stands the Glass in 2010. And I just learned of the September release of Trouble, Wilkins’ solid second album. The best part? The prominent contributions of three of Robert’s talented granddaughters suggests the inspiring Wilkins family tradition will continue.
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I defended my daily opera initiative on KCUR’s Up To Date program yesterday.