Leaving a Legacy - Part II

 

But they need not account for the money entrusted to them, because they are honest in their dealings. ~2 Kings 22:7

Several weeks ago, I share Danny's massive undertaking of cleaning out old photo albums and reorganizing the pictures in stackable containers which he labels neatly for future reference.  There are two albums, one made by Danny and the other by his father, documenting his post-high school immersion into the music world.  For those of us who are old enough to remember, the demand for performers in hotel lounges and bars is overwhelmingly popular and lucrative.  Danny's guitar playing prowess and his singing talents secure him bookings at many of these establishments in the 70s.

Hearing Danny's stories about this time in his life is one thing, but actually seeing receipts and photos from those years are quite another.  There is one piece of paper that would mean the world to Danny if he could find it in one of these musical annals, but he doesn't hold out much hope.  After all, he's looked everywhere that he can think of up until this point to no avail.  What is this treasured item?  I'll let Danny explain it in his own words as he describes this shadowbox of memorabilia to his friends on Facebook's Martin Fans page.

Near Thanksgiving of 1975, a guy walks into Durty Nellies (a nightclub on the intracoastal in Ft. Lauderdale, FL) where I was on stage performing.  He said that he had Roy Clark in the car and that he needed to borrow a guitar for the night; he promised to have it back that evening.  Being 1975, I said, "Take whatever he wants - the Gretsch White Falcon or the Martin D-28."  He said, "Let me go ask Roy."  He returned to say Roy would like to borrow the Martin D-28.  So, I handed over the guitar and really didn't worry about it.  Trust and a handshake still existed in 1975.  Later that night, he brought the guitar back and handed me the note in the lower right corner of the shadowbox.  I thought I had lost the note, but while organizing photos and music memories, there it was!

In case you can't decipher the cursive in the photo above, here is what Roy wrote:  To Danny I "pre-chee-ate it."  My best, Roy Clark.

Wow!  How I miss the day's when a man's word could be sealed by a simple handshake and honesty was always the best policy.  The world has changed in so many ways since those days, which makes this story of Roy Clark keeping his promise that much more poignant and memorable.

May we, too, be people who keep our word and who reflect God's Word in all that we do and say so we can give Him all honor and glory.

Amen!

Danny still owns the same Martin guitar.  It's 51 years old and sounds better than ever!