The AIDSWalk in Austin Park earlier this month was a great event for many reasons but there was one magic moment that symbolizes the spirit of our community and the AIDSWalk event.

 

My band had finished its last set and we were packing our instruments. There was a young gospel singer on after us. He had traveled from Sacramento to sing a few songs and was using our sound system to plug in a boom box with recorded backup instruments.

He had one of those rare angelic voices but partway through one of his first songs, “Lean on Me” something went wrong with his CD player and suddenly he was singing with no music in the background.

After hesitating for a split second, he squared himself to the mic, faced the audience and sang on, a cappella.

The crowd at first listened silently but soon began to clap on the upbeats to give the song some structure. My drum set was already partially packed but I sat down and used what was left standing to add to the beat.

Our keyboard player grabbed a tambourine. Audience members began to sing background vocals and three members of the band stopped packing and stepped up to a mic and formed an instant gospel trio.

As the entire audience began singing along, the guest singer now wore a huge smile and sang all the more sweetly as intricate harmonies filled the air and Austin Park became an impromptu gospel revival.

It was one of those inspiring moments both musically and spiritually that provided a metaphor for the AIDSWalk event and for what our community can be.

Thanks to all those who organized and attended the event. And special thanks to the on the spot gospel choir for turning a moment of adversity into one of inspiration.

Herb Gura lives in Clearlake.