Hello everyone. I recently attended the funeral of a very good friend of mine, Russell Terrance Amerson, a great Baritone, conductor, musician and friend. I went to the world - reknowned Interlochen Arts Academy with him and when I first arrived there, I was 16, I had never been away from home, and I was pretty scared to say the least. My mom and dad just left - crying - so, needless to say, I was pretty bummed out. I walked around a little bit, still not knowing anybody, then God sent an angel in the form of my friend "Terry" (as we called him). He was tall and was like a big teddy bear that took everybody in. He was my best friend during one of the best times in my life. We got in a lot of trouble together and laughed so hard together. He will be missed and my prayers go out to his mother and father and his fiancee and family and also all of his friends, which are many. I used to take him to midnight mass with me, after we graduated, and he would be the only black guy in an all white church. Once he opened his mouth and sang with that beautiful voice, everyone was quiet and it didn't matter what color he - or any one of us - was. That's how he was - color blind. He had friends from all nationalities and walks of life. I just spent the weekend with my friend Wataru Hokoyama, who is a very talented Hollywood Movie Composer. He came in especially for the funeral. (see "links" section of my website) He is from Japan and Terry took him in, too. He hardly spoke English, but Terry didn't mind. So, Terry thought it would be neat to teach Wataru "slang" English. Now, imagine this Japanese kid talking slang with broken English. It's pretty funny stuff. He learned a lot from Terry, as did I, but most of all he learned that it doesn't matter what color or culture you come from, Love is still the same. The only race Love is concerned with is the human race. If he liked you, you knew it. He was a man with a very big heart. He was just a good person who will be sadly missed. Good night, Terry - when you wake up, you'll be singing in the greatest choir of them all and they sure are lucky to have you there! -With Love and Respect, it was my honor to know you. Your friend, Aaron