Suzanne Michelle and Fred Wilson
DJ Hairy Larry Presents Suzanne Michell And Fred Wilson Singing Old Rugged Cross
From The Archives Of Something Blue – 2024-07-28
Thanks Marty, today we’re going to hear a favorite hymn sung at a concert featuring mostly jazz and spirituals.
I first met Suzanne Michell when Vivian and I were working on Blues Fest 91. Vivian’s friend Linda, from college, was living in Little Rock and worked in a place where Suzanne was singing. Suzanne is blind so Linda drove her up to Jonesboro for Blues Fest and she amazed and astounded.
Later, Fred Wilson started driving her to gigs and they were playing as a duo and a trio. And then they got married so that was cool.
I’ve recorded Suzanne in Jonesboro and Little Rock. Besides helping us with Blues Fest year after year she played at Bebopalooza, Jazz Thursday, New Jazz In Jonesoboro, and she even sang at my senior recital.
My favorite recordings of Suzanne and Fred were made at the Brookland United Methodist Church when they would visit us every year or two for Wednesday night special music. They sing everything. When Suzanne Michell came to blues fest with an electric guitar one year I called her electric and eclectic. For our Wednesday night special music she had a flair for picking the right songs and speaking directly to the youth about life and music.
Now I’m a strong vocalist, and by that I mean loud, so I love singing with Suzanne who can also be heard from over a block away. Fred is more of a quiet singer so it can be a challenge for a sound person to get their harmonies to mesh. I’m proud of this recording that Vivian and I made.
So now, here’s Suzanne and Fred singing “Old Rugged Cross” at the Brookland Methodist Church on November 28, 2018.
Suzanne Michell And Fred Wilson Live at Brookland Methodist Church on 2018-11-28
Something Blue Archives
archive.org/details/sm2018-11-28
Something Blue Archives – List Of Concerts
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Suzanne Michell and Fred Wilson are listed on the Arkansas Heritage Arts On Tour page.
www.arkansasheritage.com/arkansas-art-council/registry-rosters/arts-on-tour/suzanne-michell-and-uncle-fred-wilson
music
And that’s Suzanne Michell and Fred Wilson singing “Old Rugged Cross. Don’t miss Something Blue, Saturday night at 10:00 to hear Suzanne sing jazz and spirituals. Also featured will be Mary Halverson, Dianne Reeves, Roberta Flack, and Donny Hathaway.
Mary Halverson – Amaryllis
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