An old friend

Last night I saw a dear friend at the concert in …where was I last night?
Obviously, I have not had my first cup of coffee.
I met this man in the summer of 1978.
I had just graduated from high school and was on a work trip with my mom to promote my first record.
When our flight landed in los Angeles, we were met by Cy Jackson.
Over the years we have stayed in touch. I don’t believe one major event in my life has occurred, whether the birth of a child, a birthday, a wedding, a new work opportunity, without receiving a note in the mail from Cy.
“I’m praying for you” and “God bless you” always being part of the message.
Cy turned 94 at the end of August.
And he is still the witty, charming, encouraging man I have known since I was a kid. AND he’s still dipping and swaying.
Now that’s my kind of guy.

October 23, 2008   26 Comments   Posted in Blog
  • http://www.generaldin.blogspot.com Michele

    Amy, when I read your book “Mosaic” I remember thinking to myself, “Wow! What an interesting life she’s led and what amazing people she’s come across on her journey.”
    And here’s another one today.
    I think it goes to show that we all come in contact with amazing people every day, and throughout our lives, if we just take the time to recognize them.
    (Though I still think it’s cool that you went swimming with Barbara Bush. She seems like quite a card!)

  • http://sleeplessmornings.blogspot.com/ Merrie

    Go Cy! I hope I’m as spry and busy and thoughtful at 94 — that’s amazing! How nice to see him again.
    I’ll be seeing you today at the soundcheck in MH — for the life of me, I don’t know what you all would do for entertainment out our way, unless you feel like going to a standard run of the mill outdoor mall. That’s about all that’s happening out that way right now.
    See you later today!!

  • marcelle costa (Brazil)

    Há pessoas e palavras que num momento podem naum parecer tão significante para quem as fala, mas no final percebe-se o quão importante e essenciais foram…:)
    I could not speak it in english, sorry my english…:)

  • Cissa

    Hi Amy,
    That so wanderful when we have some peoples in our life, when give us precious words and we leave into our heart!
    Uff… so sorry my Englis.
    Estou muito feliz porque, quando me converti em 1998 e fui procura música cristã para ouvi, seu CD foi um dos primeiros que ouvi e até hoje os carrego comigo!
    Agradeço ao Senhor por te sutentar e por sua música nos alcançar pelo poder do Senhor!
    GOD BLESS YOU IN ALL YOU WAY!
    Hugs!

  • http://www.vanessachristine.blogspot.com Michelle Burrill

    That’s precious. I love that there are people in our lives that we are connected to like that.

  • Brian Bensing

    Hi Amy! I sure hope I can be at an one of your shows when I’m 94. Wait, that would mean you’d be…109. Well, keep eating the Country Crock Omega Plus, and maybe this could happen!! ;) Can’t wait to see you tonight in Morgan Hill. I’ve waited for years to see you back in CA!! God bless.
    Brian

  • Brian Bensing

    Hi Amy! I sure hope I can be at an one of your shows when I’m 94. Wait, that would mean you’d be…109. Well, keep eating the Country Crock Omega Plus, and maybe this could happen!! ;) Can’t wait to see you tonight in Morgan Hill. I’ve waited for years to see you back in CA!! God bless.
    Brian

  • Brian Bensing

    Hi Amy! I sure hope I can be at an one of your shows when I’m 94. Wait, that would mean you’d be…109. Well, keep eating the Country Crock Omega Plus, and maybe this could happen!! ;) Can’t wait to see you tonight in Morgan Hill. I’ve waited for years to see you back in CA!! God bless.
    Brian

  • http://www.donnalee.ws Donna Lee

    Hi Amy,
    I was at your show last night in Escondido with my mother. 5th row! That is the closest I have been. It was awesome. I first saw you in 1982 in Concord, California with Benny Hester. Hearing some of your early songs brought back so many memories. All good. My mom had a great time too. I absolutely love when you share songs unplugged. There is something so pure about that. Thanks for a wonderful evening of music. God bless you and your family!

  • http://profile.typekey.com/RebekahA/ Rebekah

    Hi! I was there last night in Escondido. I loved how joyful you were Amy, how you danced and smiled and just seemed so happy and into singing the old songs. My personal favorite was “Fight.” I also enjoyed seeing the friendships you have with the band members- esp. Jerry and Chris. And who could forget Cher by Kim? Overall, a great night! Thank you.
    Rebekah

  • Pauline

    Hi Amy
    We named our daughter after you. MY husband and I had our first date at your concert back in 1984 in Ca. We saw you last night in Morgan Hill. I so wanted to get a picture with you and my daughter but it was getting too late. You’ve still got it Amy. we loved watching your show and we are so thankful to have the name of Jesus proclaimed so beautifully by you. God Bless you and keep on proclaiming His Name.

  • http://pfeifferphotos.blogspot.com Tina Pfeiffer

    Thank you for sharing with us on your blog, Amy. Anyone that makes it to 94 is certainly an inspiration! My husband’s grandmother–we call her Grammy–celebrated her 90th in August and I was moved to share a bit about her on my blog.
    I learned to sing by listening to you from age 9…thank you for sharing your gift from Him with us.
    See you 10/27 at Rolling Hills Community Church in Tualatin (Portland), Oregon!
    Tina Pfeiffer
    Pfeiffer Photos
    pfeifferphotos.blogspot.com

  • Michael Begala

    Amy,
    Its nice to hear stories like this. After so many years, we realize, that it is not what we have or how much that matters, because the only thing we will take with us is our cherished memories of friends, of life, and of times gone by. I hope to see you in Morristown, NJ in Nov. God bless and be safe.
    Michael Begala

  • http://www.thesecretlifeofkat.com The Secret Life of Kat

    Welcome to the blog world, Amy!

  • http://annieblogs.com AnnieBlogs

    Amy, my grandfather is 95 and Cy sounds equally as cool.
    Glad you are a blogger! :)
    Blessings,
    Annie

  • Jeannine

    On the off chance that you read these comments I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU! Over 20 years ago you granted a wish to a young girl in Montana (Tiffany). I was one of her friends and got a chance to see you in concert (my first) and it made a huge impression on me. Today I am a volunteer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and you had a hand in leading me that direction. I’ll be seeing you in concert tonight in Redmond, Washington!

  • John Barclay

    Hi Amy:
    I enjoyed your blog about meeting your
    longtime friend Cy Jackson in Los Angeles.
    I too, cherish my friendships I made a long
    time ago and enjoy bumping into schoolmates
    and acquaintances that I haven’t seen since
    the 1970′s & 80′s. I am soooo glad that
    this life in and with Jesus doesn’t end
    here but continues on because I look forward
    to spending some more time once again with
    some (if not all) of the many friends and
    acquaintances I have met in this life. I
    have many wonderful memories of the people
    I have met and places I’ve been in my walk
    with the Lord and I look forward to the
    never ending journeys Jesus has in store
    for me.
    I don’t know if you’ll find this post
    and read it or not but if you do I’d like
    to know if what my friend told me was true.
    Back around 1983 when I was stationed in
    Ft. Gordon, Georgia (not too far outside of
    Augusta, Georgia) a friend of mine said you
    were from {or grew up in} Augusta, is that
    true? Well, Lord willing I’ll see ya here,
    there, or in the air.
    Love in Jesus,
    John Barclay

  • Ari

    Amy we caught your show in Bakersfield. We traveled up north to see our favorite performer. It was just as amazing as every concert of yours I have attended for more than 20 years! Many of the songs brought tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat. It was as if we were all transported back in time. You are still an amazing performer and a wonderful person! My girls grew up listening to you and you have been a wonderful role model for them. Thank you for the sweet memories and the song in our hearts. :)

  • Benna Lago

    Hi, Amy!
    The peace of Jesus!
    Again I am here to say that I really like your music and now dream to see her singing here in Brazil.
    Congratulations on good job with the word of God our Father
    Suit hug!
    Benna Lake
    Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil

  • http://mysite.verizon.net/vzetoahc/royssite/ Roy

    Amy you are my favorite female singer of all time! Your music is so good and your videos amazing, fun, and so great to watch. My favorite song from you is Find A Way, I like it the most. Friends is what will be forever and ever above all, don’t you think? God bless!

  • http://www.capturedinnocence.ca Heather

    Very neat that you can keep a journal-blog style along the way with your tour – though I’m sure some like this one with Cy will be unforgettable. I’m coming to the Hershey PA show thanks to my husband, this is my 40th birthday gift from him, and my first time leaving our children Amy and Bradley behind, mainly due to the travel distance. We are scheduled for the sound check…and I’m taking part in the email thing to try to win some back stage passes, I think by the looks of things we’ll end up with extra time at the chocolate factory instead though!!! I wish you all the best, and thank you for sharing your music, stories, and loves. From Arkona, On Canada!

  • http://www.myspace.com/sandeshells Sandy ELAINE

    I remember coming to Greenville and having Amy and her friend Liz come to my motel room and help me through some hard times. We went out to eat, went to the mountains and heard Amy sing many times in the Dorm room. She sang to me one time in the mountains ( Mountain Top) and I even had met Gary and had the pleasure of Amy praying for me several times and we even went out to eat. She was a blessing in my life and I will cherish the memories forever. I had a few regrets but after so many years the major regret is that we never stayed friends and could express to her just how much she helped me, and that my life was changed and I owe her so much. I often wonder if she would remember me. God Bless her and Vince and her family. Sandy from Florida.

  • http://www.myspace.com/sandeshells Sandy ELAINE

    I remember coming to Greenville and having Amy and her friend Liz come to my motel room and help me through some hard times. We went out to eat, went to the mountains and heard Amy sing many times in the Dorm room. She sang to me one time in the mountains ( Mountain Top) and I even had met Gary and had the pleasure of Amy praying for me several times. She was a blessing in my life and I will cherish the memories forever. I had a few regrets but after so many years the major regret is that we never stayed friends and could express to her just how much she helped me, and that my life was changed and I owe her so much. I often wonder if she would remember me. God Bless her and Vince and her family. Sandy from Florida.

  • Renne Schmoe-Jenkins

    Hi Amy. Wow its ben a long time. I thin k the last time I saw you was at the farm for dinner in the round. Do you remember when….. you picked me up from belmont school, we went to lunch at Houstons, and drove around town , listening to that tape I made. Any chance at all, you might still have that tape laying around somewhere? what a kick it would be to let Steven and the grls listen to it. my email is Rsjen35@aol.com. The girls and i are coming down to visit family, over christmas break. would love to meet up and sayhello and have you meet emily, Caty and Chelsea. Take care

  • http://profile.typepad.com/6p010536dd64a2970c/ Nancy Driggers

    Hello Amy, I have been a fan of yours since 1982. You just keep getting better by the year. Is there any chance you will be coming to, or near Gainesville, Florida in 2009? I hope so! You’ve got some amazing fans down this way. Your story about Cy was precious. Isn’t it wonderful to have people that are in their nineties to keep us grounded? Amy take care and God bless you!Nancy from Gainesville, Florida

  • http://profile.typepad.com/6p011168ce7cc3970c Stephen

    Hello Amy:
    Speaking of an old friend. I have written a song called “Dear Friend.” It is moving and beautifully written and I would love to send it to you for your consideration. If interested please let me know. Thanks and I love your music. Stephen