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Texas Man, Who Builds Guitars For Missionaries, Captures The Internet’s Heart Performing Gospel Song, “Look For Me,” From Hospital Bed
They don’t make ’em like this anymore.
We all know that phrase “music connects us all,” or the thought that music is healing. While I personally don’t think it’s a thought, but a cold, hard fact, moments like this prove that, and also amplify that music keeps us young.
Every day on the internet, I find myself on the verge of tears as I watch videos of people singing with their grandparents or other elderly family members. Or I stumble upon a video of an elderly person listening to their old cassette tapes, reminiscing on the good old days of music.
While these videos will always strike a chord with me, when I stumble upon a video showcasing the strong family genes of music, these are moments that I will never forget. The most recent viral video that will stick with me for a while features an intimate moment between a Texas woman and her elderly uncle, singing gospel songs in the hospital.
However, before we delve into the singing video, his niece shared some backstory about her Uncle Billy. Uncle Billy seems like an incredible man, and before going viral for singing with him, Sherry Hamilton shared with her followers what he enjoys doing in his free time- repairing guitars.
“This is my Uncle Billy. He builds and repairs guitars. He played guitar all of his life, but started building and repairing them just a few years ago. This is him working in his garage shop. His mission is to send guitars to missionaries and he has sent them to 16 different countries, including the USA. He also buys some of the guitars premade and sends those as well.
These pics show some of the ones he’s currently building or repairing. They are hanging for the finish to dry and they don’t have a neck or fretboard yet. The orangey colored one was made from logging wood that was found submerged in a lake for 150 years. Google ‘Williamette wood from underwater’ The wood was removed from the lake, dried and made ready for use. He builds beautiful guitars made with God’s love.
Oh, and he has 1 leg and is in a wheelchair. He also has a drain bag from his intestinal surgery several months ago. He works 8-10 hours a day in the Texas heat. I would say that is real love.”
Are you kidding me? This man keeps like a gem.
@sherryhamilton8This is my Uncle Billy. He builds and repairs guitars. He played guitar all of his life, but started building and repairing them just a few years ago. This is him working in his garage shop. His mission is to send guitars to missionaries and he has sent them to 16 different countries, including the USA. He also buys some of the guitars premade and sends those as well. These pics show some of the ones he’s currently building or repairing. They are hanging for the finish to dry and they don’t have a neck or fretboard yet. The orangey colored one was made from logging wood that was found submerged in a lake for 150 years. Google “Willamette wood from underwater.” The wood was removed from the lake, dried, and made ready for use. He builds beautiful guitars made with God’s love. Oh, and he has 1 leg and is in a wheelchair. He also has a drain bag from his intestinal surgery several months ago. He works 8-10 hours a day in the Texas heat. I would say that is real love.♬ They Don’t Make ‘Em Like That No More – Riley Green
Her Uncle Billy is also quite the player. In a recent post, she shared a clip of Uncle Billy playing and singing during a recent stay at the VA hospital. While it was not disclosed to followers why he was admitted, he was not ill enough to refrain from playing some gospel music.
“Here is Uncle Billy singing and playing at a recent hospital stay at the VA.”
The man lies in his bed and strums the Southern gospel tune “Look For Me,” which is heartbreakingly beautiful. Uncle Billy leads the lyrics, and his niece chimes in behind the camera to harmonize with him.
While Uncle Billy’s voice is smooth, worn yet wise, the woman’s voice, paired with his, leaves a chill on the listeners’ bodies. It’s truly breathtaking.
“Look for me, for I will be there too
I realize, when you arrive, there’ll be so much to view
After you’ve been there ten thousand years, a million, maybe two
Look for me, for I will be there too…”
As the song goes on, you can see that other patients have gathered around to hear Uncle Billy sing, and another man is harmonizing with him as the song goes on.
@sherryhamilton8Here is Uncle Billy singing and playing at a recent hospital stay at the VA.
♬ original sound – Sherry Hamilton
This moment is not only intimate but also reveals the power that music holds. Not only does a gospel tune like “Look For Me” lift spirits in times of need, but it also shows that no matter how old you get, some interests never fade. Music has probably been a part of Uncle Billy’s life since a young age, and that passion has not faded one bit.
This video will stick with me for a while…
It didn’t take long for the comment section of this post to fill up with kind words about this performance. Read a few before you go.
“We are losing real country music and real men.”
“Oh.”
“Your voices blend perfectly!! This is so sweet.”
“So I’m immediately crying?”
“He was a teenager once, doing the same exact thing, singing to the moon on his back and his guitar in hand.”
“My great-grandpa had alzheimer’s and was a bluegrass singer. Before he died, the only thing he remembered was how to play his guitar.”
“I love seeing the elderly doing their special interests. This one gentleman and I would sit down and draw together.”
“I’m fighting for my life over here.”
“As a nurse, if I saw my patient doing this, I would sit down and listen.”
“Those hands have played many strings for years! How beautiful!”
“This will stay with me forever. This is truly the first time I’ve seen something like it be so intimate in this moment. Thank you so much for sharing this.”
“My uncle passed two years ago, and he was a bluegrass player and singer, and this just made me miss him so so much. Thank you for sharing this!”
“His passion and love for music are so beautiful. keep singing with him forever.”
“Cried… cried real hard, Sherry.”
“Damn, that’s beautiful. That man sings with feeling.”The post Texas Man, Who Builds Guitars For Missionaries, Captures The Internet’s Heart Performing Gospel Song, “Look For Me,” From Hospital Bed first appeared on Whiskey Riff.
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