Willing Servants Quartet

Michael Hugan (tenor), Tom Cavanaugh (lead), Bob Hugan (piano),

Tim Cavanaugh (baritone), JR Thompson (bass)

One of My Piano Mentors Goes "HOME"

I've had three people in my life that influenced me in my piano playing. The first (and this may be news to her) is my mother. All those years hearing her play the piano for church has taught me much about accompanying singers with my piano playing.

The second was my first piano teacher, Mrs. Johnson. She taught me many things, but the thing that stands out more than anything is that because of her, I can play a song in any key I wish. She embedded chords and scales into me so that it became second nature. Because of her, my transitioning from one key to another is done with very little thought.

My third mentor at the piano is Roger Bennett; long time Cathedral Quartet piano player and co-owner of the Legacy Five Quartet, who took over the reins after the Cathedrals retired. I first met Roger as a teenager. A friend of my family, who knew Roger as a child, introduced me to him at a concert in Flint, MI. I talked with him for what seemed to be about 20 minutes. When Roger saw the Cathedral sheet music and tapes that I was getting ready to pay for, he told me to take them at no charge. As we talked about singing and playing the piano, he encouraged me to use the talent God gave me to play the piano for the glory of God. That night I decided I would take what God had given me and work to get better at it. Over the next several years I purchased almost every project the Cathedrals recorded since the late 1970s. I would play the tapes on my stereo and play my Roland piano along with them. As I listened to the Cathedrals sing, I would pay close attention to Roger's accompaniment and all the licks that he would play. Over and over again I would listen to the music, playing along on my piano. Over time I began to notice a difference in my playing. More and more I would listen to Roger's playing and pick up on his style. Every year I would see Roger at the December concert and he would remember me. We'd talk about the newest songs he was doing and I'd ask him questions about playing.

To this day, I still practice along with Roger playing on the Legacy Five CDs. Other than learning neat sounding licks, the most significant thing I learned from Roger's playing was how to play and implement rich sounding chords. He taught me what is now my favorite thing to do; how to take a hymn and turn it into a classical piece.

In September of 1995, Sandra and I went to the National Quartet Convention. That was right after Roger was diagnosed with Leukemia. I was talking with him during one of the breaks and he told me that no matter what, he knew the Lord was going to heal him. In his words, "Either the Lord's gonna heal me here and leave me here, or He's gonna take me home to be with Him. Either way, I'm healed." What a testimony. And he held that testimony over the years as he fought the Leukemia.

Today, the Lord completely healed Roger by taking him HOME. This morning around 8:00 a.m., Roger left this life to go to that "HOMELAND." The southern gospel music industry will have a deep hole in it with Roger gone now. All those who were touched by his playing, singing, and writing both songs and meditations, will miss him dearly. What an impact this wonderful man had on this teenage boy to use my gift for the honor and glory of the ONE who gave it to me. I'll never forget the man who, in my opinion, is THE PIANO PLAYER of Southern Gospel Quartet music.

Visit Roger Bennett's Midnight Meditations

"Mr. Long Arms"

The other day Michael asked me to measure his height. He measured exactly 5 feet, 6 inches. He mentioned the relationship between his height and the length from finger tip to finger tip with his arms stretched out to the side. So we measured that... 5 feet, 11 1/4 inches. He couldn't believe it was so much longer. Even though that's normal at his age, he thought it was pretty cool. I told him when he is on the pitcher's mound this year we're calling him the "long arm of the law."

This picture was taken last year.

What About Michael

We've been talking so much about Katie the past several weeks; I thought it would be good to update what's going on in Michael's life.

I don't recall knowing if I was as busy as my son is now when I was his age. He's incredibly busy. The good thing is that his schedule is fairly balanced with privilege as well as responsibility.

Today he is up in the Saginaw, MI area taking part in a MACS (Michigan Association of Christian Schools) competition. Today is the Sr. High competition. He will be involved in the Jr. High competition in a couple of weeks. Michael sings in the choir and plays the trumpet in the orchestra. He and a friend of his will be playing a trumpet duet for the Jr. High competition. He's been working at it with Sandra playing the piano accompaniment.

School baseball practice started this week as well. He's so ready to get back into baseball!

Michael is also singing in a quartet at church. Last Sunday night FRMBC's brand new southern gospel group, "Willing Servants Quartet", sang their first song, "I'm Feeling Fine". They did GREAT! The members are: Michael Hugan - tenor, Tom Cavanaugh - lead, Tim Cavanaugh - baritone, and J.R. Thompson - bass. They sounded like they'd been singing together for years, and the oldest member (other than me - piano) is in 12th grade.

We're proud of Michael and thankful that the Lord is working in his life and using him for God's glory.

Katie's New Health Journal

I have decided to create a blog just for Katie's health updates. This blogger works really well and it's easy to update. This will be especially helpful during Katie's stay in the hospital. There is a link to it in the right hand column of this blog. I'll go ahead and place it in this post as well.

Please feel free to comment on Katie's blog. We will check it frequently. I'll teach Katie how to check it as well.

I think once people get use to the blog layout, it will be much easier to keep up on the updates.

Thanks again to everyone for all the prayers and cards and gifts that have been given. You're love is such a blessing!

Here For HIM!
Bob

Click here for Katie's New Health Journal

Katie's Health Update

This is the first post on our new blog regarding Katie's experience with a brain tumor. Most folks reading this know about the recent past experiences Katie has had while dealing with this. You can visit Katie's Health Update for past updates.

I think that I might start using this blog page for future updates. This way we can view comments that family and friends make. Katie is always excited to hear from people who are praying for her. We want folks to feel free, but not obligated, to send us their thoughts and prayers.

I'm still learning how to use it, so it may take me some time to work the kinks out. Another plus with this is that the program has spell check. WHAT A BLESSING!

Until next time...

Bob

Greetings

My name is Bob Hugan and I am the pastor of Flat Rock Missionary Baptist Church. My wife's name is Sandra. We have two children, Michael and Katie.
We hope that this blog brings honor and glory to our blessed Savior the Lord Jesus Christ and that it will keep us close to family and friends.