One of my favorite exhibits at my “Johnny Angel Ginchy Stuff and Museum” is the Lou Rawls exhibit. I love giving tours of some of my favorite people I have worked with, sang with, performed with, broke bread with and have stories of good times together. One is my time spent with Lou Rawls. His exhibit has a Lou Rawls Tour jacket from the United Negro College Fund and of course Budweiser, some pictures, records and I love telling stories when standing in front of the display. I remember performing at the Hilton Hotel Ballroom and standing in the wings of the stage is Lou Rawls standing there watching. He motions to me to give him a call after my show. Lou was staying at the Hilton for his performance the next day at the Point for the Pittsburgh Jazz Festival. After the show I met with Lou to talk about our show and his upcoming show at the point. As always, he was a true gentleman and had that warming voice that made me feel like we were friends forever. During our chat Lou asked me if I was going to the show tomorrow night. Unfortunately, I had a gig that night and he asked what time our show was. He said come backstage and catch part of the show. Well Marylou and I stopped the next night, and I thought we would catch the show from the wings … nope … that’s when Lou motioned to the stage manager. He said follow me and took us to the fenced in area right in front of the stage where the media and cameras were. I think it was the third song in his show; Lou made a dedication to my wife … her favorite Lou Rawls song … “You’ll Never Find” … it made our night. The thing that most amazes me is I’ve heard him in cabaret settings, with a full orchestra and with a small band and no matter what the venue was, Lou Rawls put on an unbelievable performance … he was the true professional. Just a little tid bit about Mr. Rawls … if you listened to the Sam Cooke classic … “Bring It On Home To Me” that is Lou singing the answerback. Both he and Sam Cooke began singing in Gospels groups together early in their careers. I would have loved to see Sam Cooke and Lou Rawls in concert together. Lou Rawls … Gentleman … Crooner… Friend!