This past Friday, I had the opportunity to watch Anthony astound a Lakeland, FL, audience at the Booth Brothers Homecoming. Always the master showman, Anthony incorporated straight-ahead Southern Gospel into a program that included a wide range of styles: Big Band, Country, Jazz, Praise & Worship and more. Over 2,000 people enjoyed his presentation and I'll have to admit that Anthony was at his very best. Intense with his craft, he seemed extra-determined to give the audience everything they had come to expect from him.
After the concert, I spoke with Anthony and he was excited about what was going on with his career. He seemed very at peace with himself despite having one of the most hectic careers in Southern Gospel. He was also eagerly anticipating seeing the March issue of Singing News, which contains a Conversations feature I conducted with Anthony just a few weeks ago. He jokingly told me he appreciated me not asking "what was the first song you learned to play?" because it seemed to come up in every interview.
Over at Mark Lowry's website, it's reported that Anthony was playing "We Shall Behold Him," when he suffered the attack. If that's the case, can you imagine what Anthony saw as he entered into that life?
Makes you wonder if he kept right on playing, doesn't it?
Posted by Danny Jones at 11:32 PM - Wednesday, February 22, 2006