Black Music History

I don’t have much of a singing voice, and I don’t have much knowledge of music. My claim to music fame was playing clarinet in the junior high marching band at my first football game. When the band turned, I kept going straight, in the opposite direction. I was halfway to the end zone before I realized my error, then ran back to find my place in the band.
Maybe I’m wrong, but I think I got the biggest applause. Or was it laughter?
I’m a longtime fan of gospel singer Wintley Phipps, often wishing I had a voice like his. When that happens, I’ll be able to fly and dunk a basketball.
Many people don’t know that John Newton, author of “Amazing Grace,” was once a captain of a slave ship and used the southern harmony produced on only the black keys of the keyboard.