Lipscomb University - Backlog Yearbook (Nashville, TN)

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The cheering crowds and resounding chords drifted over the campus on Friday, September 25. Inside McQuiddy Gymnasium, the excitement and the sound were overwhelming as Ronnie Mil- sap ap peared in concert to benefit David Lipscomb High School’s Athletic Complex. Despite 102° fever and a faltering voice, the 1978 Entertainer of the Year performed a nonstop progression of country hits ranging from country to rock and roll. He opened with a powerful ‘‘What a Difference You’ve Made In My Life’’ then breaking into his country chart toppers. His million seller ‘It was Almost Likd a Song’’ highlighted the evening. He proceeded to rouse a surprised audi- ence by moving to Eagles “‘Life in the Fast Lane’’ and ‘‘Fire’’ recorded by the Pointer Sisters and escalating with his Rhythm and Blues rock and roll hit ‘‘Get It Up.” His energy thoroughly expended, Milsap could not perform the 9:00 show and graciously offered a free return engagement for the following Tuesday night. In a weekend of special fortune, Lipscomb audiences were treated by a man to whom blindness is no handicap, a performer who is as highly polished as he is warm and outgoing. 17

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18 Gene Cotton — a name of instant recognition and a musicain widely sought after — returned to the Lips- comb campus on Tuesday night, November 24, 1981. In his typically personable man- ner, Cotton spent the day making a guest appearance in chapel, meet- ing students afterwards in the stu- dent center, and participating in the campus radio contests. That even- ing Cotton sported a Bison baseball jersey in yet another warm gesture toward his audience. On stage, he was foremost the entertainer, performing songs rang- ing from rock and roll renditions such as the Beatles’ ‘‘All the Lonely People’ to the tender love songs like ‘““You’re a Part of Me.’’ Endear- ing him to the audience was the de- lightful conversation about his chil- dren and his moving ballad about Jesus of Nazareth, which his son taught him to play on the piano. In addition to providing entertainment, these lyrics reflected Cotton’s ideas concerning politics, relationships, and human nature as well mirroring an intelligent, observant, sensitive man, taking life at its fullest. And like the message of his new title song “Eclipse of the Blue Moon,”’ Cotton left optimistic impressions for a bril- liant future as audience and enter- tainer together sang ‘‘You’ve Got to Shine On Your Light.”’ ; : A met piOora b JX Fecha) Cr tien eh