For Inspiration

In celebration of the life of Bill Withers

It has been an incredible month as everyday life has turned into an extraordinary experience. I am still taking things day-by-day while sheltering in place. It feels too early to write about our current situation, so for this month's Spotlight, I chose to focus on another recent event that I think deserves notice and whose messages might ground us in this time.

There are so many people these days for whom to be thankful. Amongst the incredible courageous, generous, compassionate, selfless, dedicated people keeping us safe and caring for us, I’d also like to celebrate Bill Withers, an artist whose music captured everyday life with poetry and undeniable authenticity. Sadly, and in the midst of this pandemic, Bill Withers passed away on March 30. The nature of his passing was undisclosed, and we can only hope his passing was peaceful. Withers' music is timeless. One of the great joys of my life on the road, was performing an original piece I co-choreographed with fellow dancer Laurie Rickaby, to one of Withers' most beloved hits, "Lean On Me." It was incredibly uplifting and empowering, and to this day, the song continues to lift people up and bring them together.

Withers wrote and performed many songs that move us, including "Ain't No Sunshine" "Just the Two of Us" "Lovely Day" and "Grandma's Hands." 

Rest in peace, Bill. We will miss you very much and we are leaning on your music now.

Video credit: West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Southern Coalfields Reporting Project which is supported by a grant from the National Coal Heritage Area Authority.