I just learned today that one of my favorite people in the world, with whom I pathetically fell out of contact, died in early October. David M. Bailey, a singer and songwriter with an incredible story that touched me so deeply during my formative years as an early Christian (and still does to this day), finally went home to be with his Father.
I first met David when I was with First Presbyterian Church's Youth Group in Aiken, SC. The youth pastor, Bobby Erwin, was a great guitar player and worship leader and, to be honest, one of the first reasons why I wanted to play guitar in the first place. That, and I could pick up chicks with it. I had just begun to play that year, I think. Anyway, every summer the group would go to Montreat Youth Conference in Montreat, NC (right outside of Black Mountain).
David played a concert one of those nights during the conference. Most of our group went and fell so in love with David, his story, and his music, that we asked if he would come back to the dormitory we were staying in and play for us, lead us in worship, etc. Unbelievably, he accepted and that night was, simply put, the most memorable worship experience I have ever had to this day. I remember David singing in the lobby of that little dormitory and feeling chills at how the Spirit was moving (I didn't know it was the Spirit back then). There are some people that will think I am crazy, and some that won't when I say this (some of you may have even been there): When David was singing that night, I heard what must have been an angel singing with him. I remember his voice being so deep and rich, and yet there was this sweet voice of a woman that was singing as if it were in the background....anyway, it's impossible to describe here, but maybe some of you can comment on it. I think Bobby's wife, Betsy, asked David about it at one point. I seem to remember him saying that he "got that all the time, but didn't hear anything."
The point is, David was an inspiration. Most people would say it was because he had beaten a very aggressive cancer for WAY longer than the doctors gave him to live. I say the real reason he was an inspiration was because he loved God so much that it bled onto the page in his songwriting. He was so grateful for the life that the Lord gave him, and I cannot imagine David being happier than when he met Jesus face-to-face the day he passed.
The guitar strap that I wear every time I pick up my guitar bears his signature and the message "Keep on Playin', Peace, David". I can't remember the last time I was this sad over someone's death. So tragic, yet so beautiful to know that he's with his Maker, and that there's no such thing as cancer in Heaven.
I first met David when I was with First Presbyterian Church's Youth Group in Aiken, SC. The youth pastor, Bobby Erwin, was a great guitar player and worship leader and, to be honest, one of the first reasons why I wanted to play guitar in the first place. That, and I could pick up chicks with it. I had just begun to play that year, I think. Anyway, every summer the group would go to Montreat Youth Conference in Montreat, NC (right outside of Black Mountain).
David played a concert one of those nights during the conference. Most of our group went and fell so in love with David, his story, and his music, that we asked if he would come back to the dormitory we were staying in and play for us, lead us in worship, etc. Unbelievably, he accepted and that night was, simply put, the most memorable worship experience I have ever had to this day. I remember David singing in the lobby of that little dormitory and feeling chills at how the Spirit was moving (I didn't know it was the Spirit back then). There are some people that will think I am crazy, and some that won't when I say this (some of you may have even been there): When David was singing that night, I heard what must have been an angel singing with him. I remember his voice being so deep and rich, and yet there was this sweet voice of a woman that was singing as if it were in the background....anyway, it's impossible to describe here, but maybe some of you can comment on it. I think Bobby's wife, Betsy, asked David about it at one point. I seem to remember him saying that he "got that all the time, but didn't hear anything."
The point is, David was an inspiration. Most people would say it was because he had beaten a very aggressive cancer for WAY longer than the doctors gave him to live. I say the real reason he was an inspiration was because he loved God so much that it bled onto the page in his songwriting. He was so grateful for the life that the Lord gave him, and I cannot imagine David being happier than when he met Jesus face-to-face the day he passed.
The guitar strap that I wear every time I pick up my guitar bears his signature and the message "Keep on Playin', Peace, David". I can't remember the last time I was this sad over someone's death. So tragic, yet so beautiful to know that he's with his Maker, and that there's no such thing as cancer in Heaven.
