The Subject: It took 29 years to see you... At 23:43:47 on 01/16/06, Glenn Williams (Glennshow@mail.com) wrote:
Dear Kenny,
A 29 year dream I have had to see and hear you perform live was realized this past saturday in Las Vegas. Simply stated, I was overwhelmed from start to finish. From the very first acapella moment, the tears began to flow and continued in varying degrees throughout the concert. It was a musical experience I shall never forget.
I was introduced to your music in the late '70's when I was a college student in Ohio dating a lovely lady from New Kensington, PA. She gave me a copy of "The Kenny Rankin Album" and I was hooked. It became "our" music. We were both aspiring musicians at the time and soon our lives and careers took different paths, mine to Las Vegas, hers to the Pittsburgh area. We had not communicated since 1979, that is, until I felt inspired enough after your concert to locate her via the internet. As fate would have it, she was touched by the recollections, and with your music serving as background, for a few moments it was 1978 again... Seems she has seen many of your shows through the years and has spoken to you on many occasions. Your cousin apparently played guitar in her band for awhile. Her name is Gerra...
I have passed your music on to friends and musicians through the years. Another young lady who was oblivious to Kenny Rankin before I enlightened her, attended your Las Vegas concert last year. Unfortunately, I was doing my own show up the street and once again missed out. But evidently you provided her with a personal impromptu performance in the lounge after the show. She claims she mentioned my contribution to her introduction to the world of Kenny Rankin, but you are more likely to remember her beauty than my name. She is Kira... Finally, this year I would not be denied. My show at The Riviera was scheduled until 8, but with the audiences kind permission and the telling of my Kenny Rankin story, I bowed out 15 minutes early and sped down Desert Inn Road like an emergency vehicle. My wife (also a Kenny fan) met me with tickets in hand, we raced to our seats without missing one glorious note. It was an hour and a half of heaven. I revisited 29 years of my life with every song you chose. Trust that I will not wait to see you again. If Danny Gans can get a night off, this obscure cabaret singer will sure as hell get the same. The most memorable night of music, the rekindling of my friendship with Gerra, putting a face and personality with the music I have heard and loved forever made this weekend unforgettable. Sir, you do more with an old guitar and an empty stage than most do with an orchestra, lights, bells and whistles. And I am in a continued state of awe. God Bless You my most gifted brother... Glenn Williams
