Gospel singer still making a joyful noise, despite ALS
'Boro man among local people to be honored at Bradley banquet
By NANCY DE GENNARO




Albert Richardson of Murfreesboro is one of four honorees who will be recognized at ThursdayÕs annual William McGowan Banquet to benefit Bradley Academy Museum. Although Richardson suffers from ALS, he has managed to keep singing gospel.

degennaro@dnj.com
— Nancy De Gennaro, 278-5159
The Daily News Journal


Although Albert Richardson of Murfreesboro faces a debilitating and deadly disease every day, he said he keeps a song in his heart.

"I'm a gospel singer, and singing keeps me motivated because, through difficult times of life's struggles ... I start singing and it really lets me know I can make it," said Richardson, a longtime gospel singer who will be one of four honorees at the annual Willie McGowan Memorial Banquet to benefit Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center Thursday, March 29.


Willie McGowan worked tirelessly for more than a decade to make sure Bradley Academy was restored for use as a cultural center and museum spotlighting local African-American history. For years the historical site sat vacant and came into disrepair. But McGowan, along with a host of others, fought to restore it to its former glory.

The annual banquet serves as fundraiser to help keep Bradley Academy up and running, said Margaret Davis, event organizer.

"Bradley was his pride and joy. ... He took this building to heart. He lived here. He came here sun up to sun down," Davis said. "He was just a good person."

With McGowan's example as a guide, organizers host the banquet each year and honor others in the community who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help others and show kindness.

Richardson is one of those who has continued to do for others, even though he's faced his own difficult struggles.

More than a decade ago, Richardson was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.

"It was real tough at first," said Richardson as he recalled the initial diagnosis. "I was stumbling and I thought I just had a bad cold; I was getting weak. One day I just kept stumbling and I fell. So they sent me to the doctor."

Further neurological testing confirmed he has ALS, which causes the motor neurons in the brain to die over time, preventing the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement.

For Richardson, problems started in his lower extremities but has since moved into "legs, hands and breathing somewhat," he explained.

"I just keep praying and praying and it seems like it's getting better every day. ... God is just healing my body," Richardson said.

Although he's not able to work, Richardson does continue to volunteer his vocal cords for various occasions.

"Anytime someone asks me to sing, especially at funerals, I'm always willing to do it. I never charge. I just feel my singing might could help somebody make it through times of sorrow," Richardson said.

Singing gospel — regardless of when, for whom or where — helps Richardson cope with his own struggles, he said.

"I still hurt — the backs of my legs, they ache and burn a lot — but (singing) keeps me from thinking about how bad it is," Richardson said.

He often sings a song called "Chilly Winds" — which has also become a moniker for Richardson — that suggests "through all your trials and tribulations, one of these days, it will all be over and we'll all go to heaven."

"A lot of people like that song because it means something, if you're trying to make Heaven your home," Richardson explained.

Richardson said McGowan, for whom the banquet is named, was a role model of someone who persevered no matter what. And that sort of spirit is what Richardson tries to embody in his own life.

"I try to stay motivated. You get tired, but you've got to keep going," Richardson said.

FUNDRAISER FOCUSES ON IMPROVING LEGACY

The annual Willie McGowan Memorial Banquet is set for 7 p.m. this Thursday at Bradley Academy Museum and Cultural Center, 415 S. Academy St. in Murfreesboro.

Theme for this year's event is "Improving on the Legacy of Past Generations." Guest speaker will be Ida Thomas. Honorees this year are Pamela Owens, Albert Richardson, Mary C. Scales and Mary M. Wade.

Food will be prepared by Outback Steakhouse. Tickets are a $25 donation for adults and $10 for students. Proceeds benefit the upkeep and ongoing programs offered through Bradley Academy.

For more information, call Florence Smith, (615) 896-1897, or Margaret Davis, (615) 896-9464.