faith unfaded

I sorted through the albums in The Yellow Caboose at the Trainwreck Inn before I went to bed last night, delighted to find a Paul Ott album!

Paul Ott was a Mississippi musician, songwriter, outdoorsman and conservationist. He had a tv show, Listen to the Eagle, which also had a radio broadcast. I had the privilege of attending a couple of shows and watching him in action. We also fellowshipped over a meal post-show. He was talented, charismatic, and most of all, he loved the Lord.

His favorite song to sing was “Old Blue.” Remember that late 19th Century tune? “I had a dog and his name was Blue…betcha five dollars he’s a good dog too…” 🐾

I was delighted to find that song on the album (remember having to set the needle to the exact right spot on an album to start a new song?!) and I got a little teary-eyed hearing him sing it.

I talked to Paul on the phone about three weeks before he died of cancer. He was not doing well physically and I’d called to encourage him. Even then he was as friendly as ever. But he was tired. He was 83 and while he still had a lot of life in him, He knew where he was going if he didn’t overcome cancer this time.

He’d actually beat breast cancer in 2007, using it as a platform to travel the country and educate people about the dangers of breast cancer in men in his signature humorous style.

Paul Ott left a legacy not just with his music and his conservation efforts, but with his life. He showed others how to stand up for your beliefs while also showing Jesus standing beside you.