IN THE WAKE OF TRAGEDY: A MESSAGE FROM BLITZ MAGAZINE EDITOR / PUBLISHER MICHAEL McDOWELL Since the heartbreaking and untimely passing of my beloved wife, Audrey on the 30th of October (after suffering a major stroke and brain hemorrhage a week earlier), the journey has been a difficult one, to put it mildly. Since Audrey was an organ donor, funeral arrangements had to be postponed until that process was complete. If indeed there is a blessing in the wake of this tragedy, it is that an unusually high number of recipients have been given a second chance at life because of Audreys trademark selflessness. Audreys funeral arrangements were finally held on Friday the 14th of November. Long time friend and Savage Grace front man Al Jacquez graciously provided the music, with the host church rallying to the occasion to make Audreys home going as comfortable as possible. As I had long ago promised Audrey, I delivered the eulogy at her memorial service. It was far and away the most difficult sermon I have ever had to preach. At the conclusion, I brought Audreys youngest brother, Arwin to the pulpit to share his thoughts about his sister. Arwin and I had both reached the same inevitable conclusion: that Audrey was the most loving and selfless person we have ever known. Understandably, many of you have asked about the status of Blitz Magazine under the circumstances. Out of respect for Audrey, Blitz Magazine is presently on a sabbatical. But, to revisit an often invoked nineteenth century maxim, the show must go on, which it will. Blitz Magazine is scheduled to return to normal operations on 01 December. A lot has happened in the world of music over the past several weeks, including the passing of Cream bassist Jack Bruce, original Standells bassist Gary Gary Lane McMillan and Soul Records legend, Jimmy Ruffin. On the plus side, there is new music from tune smiths Dana Countryman, Jeremy Morris and Lannie Flowers, country music pioneer Dick Flood, veteran songwriter Neil Diamond, soul music great Candi Staton, and psych stalwarts Pink Floyd, as well as a superb new reissue box set by the Monkees and an outstanding single disc collection of the early work of the Cascades. On top of all that, long time friend of Blitz Magazine and founding bassist and long time front man of Hermans Hermits, Karl Green is presently on an American tour with the Karl Green Band, marking his first such appearance in the United States since his retirement from Hermans Hermits in 1980. Obviously, to revisit such developments in detail in early December will by by virtue of chronology be somewhat redundant. However, many exciting new pieces are in the works, including lengthy and exclusive interviews with a radio legend, a pioneering guitarist and one of rock and rolls founding fathers. In the meantime, the rebuilding process continues. Throughout it all, I have been both overwhelmed and humbled by the enormous outpouring of love, sympathy, prayers and support from family, friends, ministry leaders, Blitz readers, online friends and entertainment industry colleagues. While thanking each and everyone of you individually may take some time simply because of the enormity of the numbers, know for the moment that I remain immeasurably grateful for each and every one of you. And for all of you, my fervent prayer is that you will never have to experience a tragedy of this magnitude in your own lives. Nonetheless, despite my ongoing grief, there remains the hope borne of faith. Or, as a dear friend and ministry colleague, Pastor Dave Pistagnesi observed, The good thing is that Audrey will be more a part of your future than she was a part of your past. To Pastor Pistagnesis insights, I would add a most resounding amen. And again, to all of you, thank you from the bottom of a broken yet very grateful heart.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 02:18:20 +0000
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