Today would have been Merl's 79th birthday. I found this story on FB and thought I'd share it.
from: Michael D Hinton
about an hour ago
Merl Saunders would've turned 79 on 2/14/13.
The Rainforest Band was in the midst of a long tour in February 1996. On the morning of Valentine's Day, about an hour before checkout time, I called Michael Warren and Vince Littleton in their hotel rooms. I wanted us to throw together a 3 part harmony acapella version of "Happy Birthday" to sing for Merl. We met up and worked it out in Vinny's room, which was nearest to Merl's. We ran it down a few times, making some adjustments and improvements. Within around 10 minutes we had a beautiful rendition ready.
We walked down the hall, cleared our throats and knocked on his door. We stood just out of view from his peephole. He opened the door wearing his robe and slippers, looking surprised. Seeing us out of our rooms before checkout was surprising enough in itself.
Before he could speak, we broke into song. We sang it slow enough to magnify the beauty of the harmonies we'd worked out - we had some cool contrary motion in a couple of spots.
Merl was still just waking up. He stood there taking it in with a look of wonder. We sang it perfectly. Every phrase had started and ended as if we were one voice singing three parts. Merl always preferred first takes and this one had been a keeper.
As the last word cut tapered down in volume and went to silence, Merl broke down, opening his arms for a group hug, burying his face into each of us. The hug was an extra long one. The rest of us were all in tears, sharing the emotions of his reaction to our song.
We told him how much we loved him... Merl regained a bit of his composure, enough to say "Thanks Fellas", his voice breaking.
"See you at the car". Merl closed his door, shaking his head with a huge smile, still teary-eyed. We returned to our rooms to get our luggage together.
It was a 'feel good moment' that'd be hard to ever match. Enough to warm all of our hearts for a good long time. I can still feel it 17 years later.
Telling the story takes me right back to the deep emotions of that beautiful moment in time. Those happy 'feel good tears' can't be avoided, nor the warming smile that goes with them.
It feels like we're all back in that hotel hallway once again.
Tomorrow night when I'm playing and I feel the gentle touch of a hand on my shoulder - only to discover that there's not a physical body there, my brain will whisper back a silent reply.
Happy Birthday Merl! I love you and miss you.
{{{ ♥ }}}
The voices tell me what to say
