What a pleasure it was to sell and sign copies of my books, This Magic Moment: My Journey of Faith, Friends and the Father’s Love and Ole Miss at Oxford: Part of Our Heart and Soul, during the Fairhope Arts & Crafts Show March 18-20. Page and Palette Bookstore hosted me as the featured author for the festival, and the folks at the bookstore could not have been more hospitable and helpful. A very special thanks to owner Kiefer Wilson, store manager Leigh Buckley and event coordinator Stephanie Crowe. They made me feel so welcomed and took care of everything I needed. This was the 70th anniversary of the show and the first time things were back to normal” since the pandemic, so as expected, it drew a very large artsy crowd. Independent bookstores, like the wonderful Page and Palette must be supported or we will lose a great treasure.
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Store Manager Leigh Buckley |
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Book Event Coordinator
Stephanie Crowe
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While there, Camille and I had a wonderful stay at the renowned Grand Hotel in Point Clear. With its magnificent accommodations and views, coupled with their unmatched service, it always lives up to its name. We also highly recommend dinner at The Wash House.
The charming City of Fairhope, a festive celebration of the arts, a beloved bookstore, and The Grand Hotel…what a winning combination!
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This Magic Moment was recently selected to be the speaker gift for the University of Mississippi Risk Management and Insurance Program. Within days of finding out, I received kind words from Eugene Starks who had been a speaker and received the book. I am honored and grateful to my alma mater and the educators in my field.
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My book about my journey and friendship with four legendary singers continues to afford me delightful opportunities and experiences to meet and share thoughts with new people.
July 7
Mitchell’s Book Corner in the heart of Nantucket has once again invited me to have a booksigning at their landmark store. My first time in July 2021 was such a great experience. Nantucket attracts a fascinating array of people, who with few exceptions, love and appreciate the arts and books – my kind of people.
September 10
After having to cancel several times due to the pandemic, I am excited to be having a booksigning at the John Carroll Doyle Gallery in Charleston, SC. The gallery’s namesake passed away in 2014 but his legacy continues through his great works. I became a fan of his paintings after visiting the gallery on a trip to Charleston in 1995. I especially admired the passion in his series of paintings of black musicians. I had a dream about a painting with four black singers around a single microphone reminiscent of my singing friends and commissioned John to paint it. He created exactly what I had envisioned. The painting hangs in my great room and the image is the cover of This Magic Moment. I am touched that this prestigious gallery would feature me and my book in a special event in Downtown Charleston.
Learn more about John Carroll Doyle and his gallery.
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Murrah 60th High School Reunion |
Camille and I had a wonderful time at my Murrah High School 60th Reunion held March 25 at the River Hills Tennis Club in Jackson. It was originally scheduled for Summer of 2020, then Fall of 2020, then Spring of 2021 with another attempt in Fall of 2021. However, the pandemic and its variants kept changing our plans. Better late than never.
How fortunate I was to go to school with such an outstanding group of individuals. Many of us have stayed in Jackson and in each other’s lives for these many decades. Others have moved to other parts of the country, which meant some catching up to do. I am amazed by the accomplishments of so many from this class. We had over 30 National Merit Finalists and one out of five students received full scholastic scholarships. Manfred Bischoff, a German exchange student who said his two years in Jackson were some of the best times of his life, became chairman of the board of Mercedes Benz. The Murrah Class of 1960 did themselves, Murrah High School and Jackson proud.
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Mississippi Christian Living Magazine |
I would be remiss if I did not publicly thank Katie Eubanks, publisher of Mississippi Christian Living Magazine for the beautifully written article on the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Madison and our rector, Father Ryan Streett. It is the cover article for the April issue. Katie and photographer Deryll Stegall did a superb job of capturing the church’s history, mission and compassion. Many Mississippians know little about the Anglican Church, so I hope readers will find this article educational and enlightening, and will consider making a visit.
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This Magic Moment is a great choice for someone who loves true stories about...
--Growing up in the South
--Life and times in the 50s and 60s
--Early rock and roll, Doo wop and R&B music and the ability of music to bring people together
--The power of friendship to bridge any divide
--The mysterious ways our Heavenly Father works in our lives to bless us and achieve His purpose
Hardcover and Audiobook Available
click on the links below to see prices and purchase your copy
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For Those Who Prefer a Hardcover Copy |
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Includes 136 color photos of some of rock and roll's greatest icons |
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“I love that Bill is chronicling his friendships with Prentiss Barnes and Harvey Fuqua (both of The Moonglows) and Bill Pinkney
(The Drifters), sharing his magic moments with them and other contemporaries.”
Mary Wilson
Original member of The Supremes
“Wow! This book should be a movie! It’s a powerful story of love and brotherhood across the racial divide at a time when our nation needs healing as never before.”
Michael W. Smith
Christian Singer/Songwriter
"William Morris was the first former Ole Miss student to invite me to his house. He was forty years ahead of what is happening in today’s world. His book is one of the best I have read in quite a while. Everybody should read and understand it. I read every word. 'The Help' was a novel. This is a true story.”
James Meredith
Civil Rights Icon
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Signed copies also available at The Commissary (Ridgeland) and
Persnickety (Madison)
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Or Consider the Audio Book... |
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This story is everything I love – detailed memories of growing up in Mississippi, especially references to Murrah High School, Jackson, and the Delta; a tribute to 50s & 60s rock & roll music and the singers who gave it to us; an inspiring reminder of the power
of friendship; and proof of what can happen
with an unshakable faith in God’s providence.
Robert Johnson, music aficionado
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Like one of my all-time favorite author/narrators Shelby Foote, Bill Morris has a voice that grabs your attention and holds your interest throughout this beautifully written and well-executed audiobook. His story is a timely reminder of the extraordinary things that can happen when our hearts are truly open.
I listened with a smile on my face.
John Tate Taylor, Jackson, MS
Dr. Jim Ewing, former North Georgia State
English professor
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