Pastor Rudy Rasmus.

He showed up for me every day. He did not complain. He stood with me when no one else would. He was my one phone call before cell phones existed. He could have left when I was 8 but stayed and he could have died when I was 12 but lived. He taught me the essentials of politics, friendship and invested in every wild idea I pitched. He cursed poetically, lived with intensity and worked until his last day on earth July 4, 2004. I miss him every day but especially now.
Happy Heavenly Father’s Day

Fun fact: Dad was the first Black person on the Harris County GOP payroll in 1966. If he was here today, he would say “it’s not the same GOP.” Article: The Houston Informer

Happy Birthday Pastor Tiffany

My musical journey started in the 2nd Grade with my first Trumpet (given to me by a neighbor.) In middle school I picked up bass guitar and upright bass to combat the loneliness. At I played bass in traveling band and this month I’m celebrating 20 Years since the release of my first book and companion music project, “Touch: Pressing against the wounds of a broken world.”

The songs on that record were created by phenomenal artist who are also my friends, who spent months in the studio with me, miles on the road, moments that touched my heart and songs that went on to change my life, forever. I am forever grateful to who guided the project and invested in my dream, to who contributed the first music to the project (including my all time favorite “The Only Way”) along with Ron and my dear friends “Soul Fruit” - - and the incomparable .l.ross who’s wonderful singing got us a Award nomination for “Peace” (written and composed by John Bates.)

Thanks to each of you for the moments-memories-music … and just maybe there will be a “Touch Vol. 2” sometime in the future…

📷: photo of me on the park bench courtesy of circa 1975