A View of Reach Out And Touch

Just this morning, I heard another songwriting master had passed.  Nick Ashford, part of the powerhouse duo Ashford & Simpson, died in a New York hospital yesterday of throat cancer at the age of 70.

With his wife, Valerie Simpson, he wrote for a who's who of pop and R&B music - everyone from Ray Charles, to the Shirelles, to Chaka Khan, to Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell.  He helped create classics like, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Your Precious Love," and "I'm Every Woman."

While it's sad to know that another musical cornerstone is gone, we can be thankful his music is still here, still able to reach out and touch us all with the power of its melody and message.

RIP, Nick Ashford.  More later, but until then, remember the story of the glory when a shoe, shoe shine used to cost a dime, and a nickel could buy you plenty.