It’s been a month now since I attended the celebration of Rocky Mount’s mural depicting a “Hall of Fame” line-up of prominent musicians with local ties. Though a bit rainy, it was a wonderful late afternoon/early evening event that I’m glad I made the effort to attend. Keep reading for a mostly feel-good story about a city that doesn’t always get the best publicity, especially concerning its downtown.

“Ma’am, please take my seat,” the well-dressed gentleman said with a smile. Due to the rain, I was standing as close as possible behind the last row of chairs under the tent at the May 23 downtown celebration of the latest Rocky Mount mural.

“I’m fine, thanks,” I replied, although I was getting slightly sprinkled on my backside.  It was a small price to pay for the evening’s entertainment at the corner of Marigold Street and Southeast Main.

Blues, jazz, rock, gospel—the evening covered the music of the people depicted on the mural designed by local artist Marion Clark Weathers. The show didn’t last long, just a little over an hour. But every single performance, mostly by the musicians pictured in the mural, was a delight.

Walking up, I was greeted by the guitar playing of Lightnin’ Wells, who was rendering the blues of the late George Higgs. The Tar River Swing Band featured jazz with a solo trumpet performance by Dan Crocker. Patsy Gilliland’s rendition of the Platters “Only You,” showed why she was once a talent award winner in the Miss America Pageant.

The music wasn’t all that was delightful about the night. As the rain picked up, the audience, without being told to do so, scooted their chairs forward, making room under the tent for those outside seeking shelter. A community spirit, a sense of goodwill, prevailed over the crowd.

Of course, all is not rosy downtown. My husband and I parked on Southwest Main Street and walked past scores of empty storefronts as we made our way to the pedestrian railroad crossing. “I remember when this used to be a Belk Tyler’s,” my husband said, stopping to peer in the windows at the long- deserted department store. I couldn’t help but wonder what visitors to the Rocky Mount Event Center must think if they venture across the tracks looking for shops or restaurants. Yikes.

But on this magical evening, I decided to focus on the positive. This celebration on one corner of downtown Rocky Mount was perhaps a glimpse of what our city can be, people from all walks of life coming together with mutual respect and civic pride.

I finally got that seat offered by the well-dressed gentleman. I took it when he got up to perform the last act. Turns out I had been standing behind Luther Barnes, the famous gospel singer. It hadn’t occurred to me to match this dapper man to his picture on the mural. He finished the show in fine style, belting out a stirring gospel tune, accompanied by members of a local congregation he invited on stage.

As the show ended, the rain had stopped, but the train was slowly rolling through downtown Rocky Mount. My husband and I would have to wait to cross the tracks to get to our car. Nothing new: growing up in Edgecombe County, I spent a lot of time idling here, waiting to cross to the Nash County side.

And I love the sound of a train. Its song was actually the perfect ending to a perfect musical celebration.