On January 4th, 2004, Jake Hess Passed away. He was 76. I miss his singing. He was one of my heros and favorite southern gospel singers. I have always enjoyed Southern Gospel music. I was able to hear him in person when he sang with the Masters IV in Olympia and still enjoy his music on CD's. I look forward to hearing him sing in Heaven Someday. Come to think of it, many of my Gospel Singing hero's have gone home already. What a Reunion Day.
Q: How do you tell when your lead singer is at the door?
A: He can't find the key and doesn't know when to come in.
As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a grave side service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the Kentucky back-country.
As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost; and being a typical man I didn't stop for directions. I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight.
There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch. I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play.
The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends; I played like I've never played before for this homeless man.
And as I played 'Amazing Grace,' the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head hung low my heart was full.
As I was opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, "I never seen nothin' like that before and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years."
so funny, good to laugh
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