Kenny Rankin was such a fine talent who got so little real recognition. Such a clear and warm voice.

I met him twice. Once at a concert in Winter Park,Fl. He was standing at the back of the venue surveying the audience. I approached him and introduced myself.

I told him this story...

In the mid 70’s my mom happened to stop at Keller Music in Orlando. There was no one else in the store except for Kenny and his manager. It was one of those times where you happen upon something special, without knowing it. I was 15 years old at the time and wouldn’t know who Kenny was until several years later.

He was noodling on a guitar and I was drawn to just sit and listen. His friend looked at me with a grin and said "Why don't you play something off the new album Kenny"? Kenny broke into a magical rendition of the Beatles "Blackbird". I sat transfixed through that performance and was treated to several more songs. ‘Dear Prudence’ and ‘Haven’t We Met’ as I recall.

Finally my Mom indicated it was time to go. Kenny gave her a glare for interrupting. And we left him there playing in an empty music store.

Several years later I dated a woman that was a fan of a particular musician whom I had never heard. She said that my musical style was a lot like his and put on an album.

There it was.

‘Blackbird’