I have been
going about my business today with a heavy heart. This morning
I received a call that Roger Bennett had gone home to be with the
Lord. Many people in Southern Gospel Music have passed on, but
to this date, no has died that I knew as well as I knew Roger
Bennett. Now, I would not say that Roger and I were close
friends. However, I have many special memories of Roger
Bennett and I want to share them with you.
At a time like this,
our minds go to Roger's family. His wife, Debbie and children,
Chelsea and Jordan, were his pride and joy! I never had a
conversation with Roger when he wasn't talking about his family.
Personally, I never met any of them but my thoughts and prayers are
with them right now.
Most people in
Southern Gospel Music became familiar with Roger Bennett when he
joined the Cathedrals in 1979. It was shortly after that, I
became familiar with this talented singer and songwriter. I
was not very old when I went to see and hear the Cathedrals in New
York for the very first time but I will never forget Roger taking
the time to talk to an awestruck kid that was a huge fan standing at
their product table purchasing music. As time went on, I saw
Roger repeat that scene time and time again at product tables from
everywhere from the NQC to a small churches.
As I began to get
involved in the Southern Gospel Music Industry, I was able to get
back stage for events and I saw another side of Roger Bennett.
I cannot remember the year but I remember being back stage at a
Garden Spot Promotions concert featuring the Cathedrals and I
suddenly found myself in a room with just Roger. Roger struck
up a conversation and we talked for about 30 minutes or so. We
talked about everything from music to our family to our friends to
current events! Since that day, he remembered my face (and
often my name) and he always took a few minutes to talk and see how
I was doing whenever he saw me.
In 1999, I remember
talking at length with Roger and Scott Fowler about Legacy Five.
I remember the excitement in their voices and the excitement they
were generating in the industry. I remember the interview I
did with them and how they genuinely wanted to carry on the
Cathedral legacy. I believe they have done that better than
anyone else!
I remember
Roger pulling me aside when he found out my mom had passed away and
praying right there with me. I remember him encouraging me in
many ways as I went through the grieving process over the next
several months. I remember that he always genuinely cared
about what was going on my life and he always seemed interested, not
only in my Southern Gospel ventures (which he always supported
fully), but also in my life in general.
More than anything,
I remember the day that I heard Roger Bennett had cancer. The
feeling was much the same as the feeling I had today. It was
like someone just hit me as hard as they could. I remember
contacting him and telling him I was praying for him. I
remember his great attitude and I am thankful that God saw fit to
give him to us for as long as he did. Since that day I have
celebrated the successes and prayed harder during the set backs.
It always amazed me how his attitude never changed.
Roger Bennett
will go down as one of the most talented musicians to ever grace a
Southern Gospel Music stage. I am sure his home is full of the
awards that he received over the years. Roger was talented on
the piano and always added a lot to a concert with his playing and
his humor. He famously grew up in Strawberry, Arkansas and if
you ever heard him and George Younce joke about that, you know just
how funny Roger could be. Roger was also a talented songwriter
having written a number of great song like "Healing," "I've Read The
Back Of The Book," "Heroes Of The Faith," the recent Legacy Five hit
"Out Of My Darkness" and so many others. Roger was also a
great singer and was featured a number of songs recorded by the
Cathedrals and Legacy Five.
I will miss Roger
Bennett. I will miss his talent. I will miss our
conversations. I will miss his presence with Legacy Five.
I can imagine the celebrations when he received his "ultimate
healing" and crossed over into heaven. I can imagine George
Younce and Glen Payne leading a welcoming committee that included
the likes of his good friend Anthony Burger and his other family and
friends. I would imagine that it didn't take long before he
found a piano and started singing! As his song said, "I've
read the back of the Book and we win." We can rest assured now
that Roger Bennett has won!
I have been
going about my business today with a heavy heart. This morning
I received a call that Roger Bennett had gone home to be with the
Lord. Many people in Southern Gospel Music have passed on, but
to this date, no has died that I knew as well as I knew Roger
Bennett. Now, I would not say that Roger and I were close
friends. However, I have many special memories of Roger
Bennett and I want to share them with you.
Most people in
Southern Gospel Music became familiar with Roger Bennett when he
joined the Cathedrals in 1979. It was shortly after that, I
became familiar with this talented singer and songwriter. I
was not very old when I went to see and hear the Cathedrals in New
York for the very first time but I will never forget Roger taking
the time to talk to an awestruck kid that was a huge fan standing at
their product table purchasing music. As time went on, I saw
Roger repeat that scene time and time again at product tables from
everywhere from the NQC to a small churches.
I remember
Roger pulling me aside when he found out my mom had passed away and
praying right there with me. I remember him encouraging me in
many ways as I went through the grieving process over the next
several months. I remember that he always genuinely cared
about what was going on my life and he always seemed interested, not
only in my Southern Gospel ventures (which he always supported
fully), but also in my life in general.
Roger Bennett
will go down as one of the most talented musicians to ever grace a
Southern Gospel Music stage. I am sure his home is full of the
awards that he received over the years. Roger was talented on
the piano and always added a lot to a concert with his playing and
his humor. He famously grew up in Strawberry, Arkansas and if
you ever heard him and George Younce joke about that, you know just
how funny Roger could be. Roger was also a talented songwriter
having written a number of great song like "Healing," "I've Read The
Back Of The Book," "Heroes Of The Faith," the recent Legacy Five hit
"Out Of My Darkness" and so many others. Roger was also a
great singer and was featured a number of songs recorded by the
Cathedrals and Legacy Five.