Ricky Atkinson & Compassion

Hi Everyone,


Because of my schedule the first part of December, I am writing the monthly newsletter a few days early... soooo, HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Although, you all probably won't get this for a few days, and maybe even into  December, but I'm writing it on Thanksgiving Eve, so I can say that!

FL, NC, and AL were good to me this month...Thankful for the blessing of not only new places to go sing, but for the great friends in many churches who allow me to come back every year...people who continue to support the ministry of my songwriting and singing, and for those I am really greatful!

This month I will be mostly in the studio...sing in TN, but I will be recording and mixing a lot, December is always light as far as singing schedules, BUT I'm catching up on sessions I'm behind on!!  and just in case I am late as usual next month, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!! AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

ALWAYS keep an eye on the tour page of the website and see where I, or RAC will be... 2011 is a fun year of concerts for the RAC TOUR (with current RAC members, Loren Harris and Greg Cook)!!

New pictures for the month , 2 NEW emails of the month, NEW tour dates updated so go check out the website to see the updates....

***Many of you may not have heard about the passing of Jackie Wilburn, my boss and coworker and friend for many years...sudden heart attack Friday Nov 18, 2011... he was actually on vacation with his family in Gatlinburg, TN. Jackie was not only a great friend and boss, but also a mentor, father, husband, son, and a true blessing to anyone who knew him or ever met him... I was priviledged to serve in God's Army along side this great prayer warrior for 3 years, and will alway cherish the fond memories I have of him and his wonderful family, The Wilburns. I was 9 hours away from Carthage TN  this past Sunday night, and drove all night to get to the Homegoing Celebration, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world... I walked in an hour before the service began to visit with the family and former group members from over the years, and I was asked to sing...what an honor!  I will dedicate this next paragraph to the memory of D Jack Wilburn, by giving you all a run down of the service...

First, Jonathan Wilburn gave the welcome and talked and shouted about how his dad would have wanted the Homegoing to be, and so it was definately church from the first word! (The entire service was filled with tears and it was sad to say goodbye, at the same time it was even more full of rejoicing and shouting and old time worship...Jackie's friends and family sent him to his final HOME the way he would have wanted it!!) Then Libby Perry Stuffle sang "Celebrate Me Home"...Next was Jordan Wilburn with the Eulogy of Jackie, the life and times and memories we all shared on the bus travelling tegether and singing each weekend... Then Allison Durham Speer sang "Im Bound For That City", Then Jackie's Pastor preached a great message...Then Tribute Qt sang "Homecoming Day" ...Then Jackie's oldest son, Jay Wilburn preached...old fashioned, loud and hard, just like Jackie did all those years...Then Tony Gore, Jordan Wilburn and myself sang "Outside The Gate"  The shouting and praises filled the house and almost raised the roof off that place, as the family joined in with us and sang the a capella chorus of "Outside The Gate", at the end...(it was certainly a memorable event... if I die before the rapture, I want my funeral/memorial/homegoing service to be that way..) Then all the southern gospel artist ( quite a HUGE number ) , gathered out back and lined on each side between the doors and the hearse, as the family and flowers and the body of our dear friend came out, the large choir assembled began singing "What a Meeting In The Air" as Eddie Crook played the piano... I don't ever remember being in a service such as that, and I will never forget it, or the fine man and Christian, Jackie Wilburn.

Until next time,
Blessings,
Ricky Atkinson
RAC