New Friends

Monte Garrett, choral director at Howard Payne University, and I have been corresponding via e-mail for more than a year now, all related to a piece I wrote for the 2009 Texas Baptist All State Choir, of which Monte was the conductor last summer. Last night, we, along with our wives, finally got to meet face to face. Monte and Tricia were headed across Tennessee on a trip, and stopped in Nashville long enough for dinner at (where else?) Cracker Barrel.

We had a blast getting to know one another. Tricia is a fellow Baylor grad (much younger – but once a Baylor grad always a Baylor grad). Monte went to school in Abilene, where my father’s family is all from. Monte’s family even listened to the Christmas albums I produced for KVIL radio back in the 80s.

It was a good time, and confirmed once again my theory that all Texas Baptists, regardless of age, know at least six people in common. Minimum. When your Texan and Baptist, it’s not a small world. it’s a teensy tiny world.