Dedication
When I started this page, I thought about
just how many folks I could dedicate this page to - people
who deserved mention. My parents - Jack and Winnie
Vancil. My teachers - Clarice Goldsmith,
Nancy Hartwell, and Eddie Byrd. My early inspirations: Bonnie Henson,
Karen Howard, and Kenny Renshaw. My later
inspirations: Bill and Kathleen Masino, and Gordon
Lyons. The congregation of
the First Baptist Church of Holcomb. The other church
musicians and singers: Betty Biggs and Beth True, who
I worked with more than anyone else, and really grew most
comfortable with, Brother Bill Lutrell, Brother Tim Abanathy, Brother Avy Gardner, Karen Howard,
Kenny Renshaw, Greg Carter, Ruth Rollins, Susan True, Wanda Olds,
Wanda Gallaher, Irene Newsom, Gentry Vancil, Jody Vancil, Marki Hargrave,
and Linda Abanathy.
And a big thanks to Frank Kirk for the sheet music to what
is still my favorite gospel song to play, forty years later: City of Gold.
The members of the Holcomb school bands, conducted by
Eddie Byrd. My section leaders: Diane,
David M., Mark S., Dennis. The NorthEast
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra of 1979, and conductor Neale
Bartee, Stan Head, Ed Alexander, Tommy (whose
last name I can't recall), and Bob Bidewell.
The bands I've played in, and musicians
I've performed with. The members of Midtown, Polar,
Sabre, and Entropy. Jason W., Mark "Animal" H., Wade, John,
Keith C., Timmy M., Rick T., Rick S., David T., Buford,
Kevin K., Tommy W., Donna, Jeff, Jason S., Kevin
R., Tom D., Sean, Brad, Tracey, Jody H., Scotty, Sammy, and Mark V. - fine musicians all.
And the musicians I've met from Carfax, Dave S. and all of
his crew, and my guys, Jacob and Chris.
But there's one guy who stands out from
all the others - the truest enthusiast of music that I know,
a bandmate, a friend, and even in many ways a mentor.
What I know about sound equipment I owe to him. Much
that I know about synthesizers, I owe to him. And what
ambition I have musically, I owe to him. He's been
critic, encourager, believer, and friend. He's a
talented percussionist and guitarist, and sound man.
His name is Bobby Wheeling.
Bobby has been a constant presence in much
of what I've done musically. He got me started in
various bands, and whenever I start doing any project, I
generally have some questions for him. He's always
been willing to help, and more importantly, in the words of
one of my favorite movies, he's "a dreamer, and the world
needs more dreamers."
Bobby - thanks for all you've done in
encouraging me, in helping me along, teaching me about sound
equipment, and all the hours we spent playing. It was
a blast.
|