Karen's Tribute to Bobby Michaels
I'll miss you, friend
Bobby and I first met in South Africa in about 1987 or so. We were having our first Christian Artists Seminar there. I think we did about three of them together in SA over the years, organized by our good friends Leon & Naomi Boshoff. What great memories those are. I was amazed from the first time I heard him at his beautiful voice. Not many people can do a whole concert w/ backing tracks and pull it off. But Bobby could. One reason was because he was a good teacher too. A good communicator.
He was single in those days, but then.... he started talking about this woman named Lee and her kids, Rachel and Jeff. I remember he told me at one point, "I was sitting there just watching TV one night with Lee and the kids around. I just looked at them and thought, 'Wow... this is great... I want to live like this'." And... he did. They were married and became a great family.
At one point, many years ago, I felt I needed to really challenge Bobby about one thing he was doing. He kicked a bit.... but he received it. That made me respect him. Some people would just walk away.
He was always fun to be around. Had a way of adding class and fun to a situation. He learned how to connect with the right people to make good recordings. Especially with the help of the Tunney's, he put out some outstanding recordings.
But probably where we really met heart to heart was our love to sing to the nations. He was committed. You can tell that by what he's done in Cambodia.
"And to think i was just about to come visit you in Florida, Bobby. I WILL miss that part of the trip. I'll never forget how you hosted me and the South Africans in Key West. You really have the gift of hospitality. That was a blast! Thanks, my friend. I look forward to making music together again someday. I'll think of you when I sing 'Asia'. We love you. We are all so glad that our Redeemer Lives."
You can see one of Bobby's videos that describes his life at this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN2tMFF6J8U
