Fundraiser for church pianist is postponed
Jimmy “Newt” Harrison is a pianist who plays for others. He’s an accompanist. He provides the musical background and support for other musicians or singers.
His work and abilities are well-known locally, and in the early years of his career in the 1970s, he toured for three years with rhythmand-blues performer Joe Tex.
But Harrison had one drawback.
While he could play any song with high skill and from memory, he did not read music. After he changed career directions and turned to soul, spiritual and religious music, he became a valued accompanist for decades here.
Today, Harrison is battling an illness, and others are going to get together and play a benefit for him. Musicians, friends and the congregation of Honey Grove Baptist Church, where he is a musical leader, will hold that musical fundraiser in his honor.
The event had been announced for Saturday but is being postponed because of the coronavirus concerns.
Church clerk Betty Jiles and pastor the Rev. Bryni Hampton said they will hold the fundraiser as soon as possible.
When the event does take place, expect some accomplished and heartfelt music. Harrison has spent decades accompanying others in any style, any key and any speed. He’s a natural.
His music is a reflection of how Harrison has thought about music, its purpose and his role in playing.
For example, Harrison believes everyone can sing. Here’s how explains it:
“Singing is about being together … at the start, middle and end. Divisions can happen, but you can get back together.
“Some people say they can’t sing. I say to them, ‘Say, hello with me.‘ And they say hello.
“‘Well, now,‘ I say, ‘you’ve just sung.‘”
Harrison has been music leader and performer for the Honey Grove Church since 2013. He’s there on the first and third Sundays, Jiles said. On the second and fourth Sundays, he plays for the Mount Zion church in Kildare. He’s also the accompanist for the Kildare Male Chorus, which has been performing for more than 30 years.
The Kildare chorus began in 1987. That next year, Harrison became its piano player and arranger. He’s now the only original remaining member.
He also provides spiritual guidance, chorus members say, because the Kildare group is something more than singers. First, it’s an organization with officers, members and dues. Each year the chorus’s finances are totaled, and so far they’ve come out on the plus side.
From their dues, the chorus will make contributions to help others. And they will sing for free when requested to assist a church or family in need.
“We’re the complete package,” Harrison likes to say with a big smile. “When we sing, the world goes away.
But we come not to entertain but to serve the Lord.”
Jiles described Harrison as a minister and musician.
“It’s a good thing to be around him. He also has a wonderful voice. He leads most of the songs even when he’s playing for us, “she said.
“He may give you a mini-sermon before, after or during a song. And those songs are of the old-time, hymn type. He’s traditional. It’s like a foot-stompin’-with-the-church-windows-up kind of music. Songs maybe your parents came up with.”
And so, musicians and friends will soon come together to play for him when the gathering can be held safely.
Forty invitations will be re-sent to individuals and other churches. A love offering will be taken. The public is cordially invited. The church is located four miles west of U. S. Highway 59 on Farm to Market 2791.