News & Scoops

Oct

2002

Semi-Open Letter from [b]Jonathan Sawrie[/b]

I'll try not to make this a dissertation - but it'll be hard.

First, this will be pretty open, but everybody else always sends out an "open" letter and I can't stand to be just like everybody else. Besides, nobody ever tells it all anyway. Like Jack Nicholson said in A Few Good Men, "You can't handle the truth."

When I was three weeks old, I told everybody I would someday sing in a gospel quartet. Being a part of the Melody Boys has been all I had dreamed it would be. No, I didn't get mad and quit 'cause I didn't get my way. I didn't get fired for stealing mic cords. I'm not going solo - ya'll don't think I'm that crazy do you? I did call Les Beasley and see if he wanted to start a duet ministry. He said he'd think about it. And no, I'm not starting a new group. After you've sung with the best, where are you gonna go? I know Mark Trammell said one time he sung with the best, but he started a trio so you know he's delusional.

I'm not gonna go blaming this all on the Lord either. I never said I was called into any kind of ministry so I don't guess I can get called out of it. (I think I may be one of them heathen entertainers, I don't know.) But from what I've read, I think He's in charge, so to say He had nothing to do with it wouldn't be accurate either.

After 3,000,000 chiropractor visits and one back surgery, I've decided it's time to come off the road and recuperate from 16 years of bus riding. My boys Jacob and Joshua are 12 and 9, and now seems like a good time to stay at home and watch them grow for a while. My beautiful wife Danna thoroughly believes I have finally gone off the deep end and is not sure if she can stand my being home 365 days a year. By the way, you can't blame it on her either. I could not ask for more support than she has given me. She's talked me out of this a few times before. It didn't take this time.

I have no immediate plans other than putting out some new fruit trees and getting my strawberries and blackberries started. The next project will be getting my boat and motor operational again and seeing if I still remember how to fish. Danna is just driving me crazy wanting to get a motorcycle so we'll probably do that too. Our church is looking for a new music director and I think I can really have a lot of fun aggravating him when he gets here. (I just love those praise choruses don't ya'll?)

I also plan on finally learning to play in E, A, and B. If Roger Bennett can do it, I can too. I wrote three songs one time and produced half of one record, so I think I might enjoy doing some of that. I may even go ride a bus now and then and do some fill-in work if anybody wants me. (There's always somebody quitin' some group.) But I am not just going away. Someone has to stay around to torment all those trios and mixed groups out there!

There is so much to say to so many, but I love you all and I'll be seeing you somewhere, someday.

Jonathan Sawrie

P.S. There are a few of you I don't like that much, but I'd still stop and help you if I saw you broke down on the side of the road.

Reader Comments

I love it! Open and honest. What more can you ask for?

James Hales

Commented by On 10/27/2002

Jonathan Sawrie is like one of those Christmas presents you got as a kid growing where you asked for something that was really, really oddly shaped. You didn't have to tear the wrapping paper off to know what you were getting! Man, you gotta love that!!!!

Commented by On 10/27/2002

Great letter

Yep, he said it all and very well. I appreciate that a great deal and wish you the best..

Commented by On 10/27/2002

WE will miss you with the Melody Boys. You are one of the most underrated musicians on the circuit. JD Sumner said it well when he said we

all need to be entertained. He claimed to be an entertainer. There is nothing wrong with that. WE do need that. I can only say for myself and probably many others, you will be missed and thanks for the great memories. I would like to see at the GOGR in Greenvile again. Also thank your family for sharing you with us.
Sincerely,
Dwight Faircloth, Murfreesboro Tenn.

Commented by On 10/27/2002

This is by far the best "open" letter of resignation I have ever read.

Commented by On 10/29/2002

Thank you JS for the friendship and many wonderful memories. It has been a pleasure to work with you and the MBQ as the quartet's webmaster.

I respect your decision to get off the road and want you to know you and your family will be in my prayers. I know it was a hard decision for you.

"And we know that God causes all things
to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Thank you Brother. We love you and your family and want you to know you are in our prayers. I know this will not be the last we hear of you in the industry.

Commented by On 10/29/2002

What can u say about a guy who don't know how to play and sing the song "One Day At A Time" correctly....
Jonathan...we will miss u...

Commented by On 10/30/2002

Jonathan Sawrie is a piano player and he's articulate!

Look out, Tony Rush!

Commented by On 12/16/2003

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