news-record.com

Clifford Watkins, a talented musician, actor, lecturer, author and retired professor, is a man of many talents and is well-known throughout the Triad.

Although he has been struck with Parkinson’s disease, he has a positive attitude, is active and is an inspiration to those fortunate enough to know him.

“I stay in touch with God and affirm 'This is the best day of my life,’ and it is getting better by the minute,” he says.

Watkins’ illustrious music career includes participation in two famous movies filmed in North Carolina.

In “Dirty Dancing,” filmed at Lake Lure, he played the saxophone. In “The Color Purple,” filmed in Monroe, he participated when the music was sung and played, “God Is Trying to Tell You Something.”

He once lived in Nashville, Tenn., and has fond memories of attending the same church where Oprah Winfrey and her father worshipped.

Winfrey’s father owned a barber shop and once cut Watkins’ hair.
During his military duties at Scott AFB in Illinois, he was the base chapel organist.

Watkins also had a faculty position at South Carolina State University and was director of its famous Garnet & Blue Marching 101 Band. He later served as professor of music and director of university bands for 10 years at Tennessee State University.

Those were special years for Watkins, who traveled nationally and internationally with his bands. He recalls the “Granddaddy of them all” was when his band marched and played in the 1970 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif.

“Thirty-nine years later, when I meet some of those band students, our conversation still gravitates to the 'Granddaddy,’ ” he said.

Watkins and his wife, Sally, came to Greensboro when he was appointed professor and chairman of the music department at NC A&T. His tenure spanned 22 years.

His highest moments at the university were the ones when he placed diplomas in the hands of graduating students, he said.

Speaking of his students, Watkins said, “They were challenging at times, but I always loved them”

Former local music students he taught include Kenneth Ruff, now director of bands at A&T; Brian Millsapp, assistant director of bands at A&T; and Freddye Dixon, choral director at Dudley High School.

He said his most noteworthy university remembrance was when he announced the achievement of accreditation through associate and then full membership in the National Association of Schools of Music. This is the chief accreditation for music schools in the United States.

When Watkins decided to retire from A&T, Sally Watkins asked her husband about having a small retirement party.

“Cliff told me he didn’t think he deserved a retirement celebration,” she said.

His students had other ideas and wanted to honor Watkins, their mentor and friend, in a big way.

To the amazement of the Watkinses, students came from New York, New Jersey, Tennessee and South Carolina to pay tribute to the man who inspired them musically and served as a role model for them.

He has served as director of the Providence Baptist Church Men’s Choir for many years.

“Cliff is a very talented, yet modest man, who has created several pieces of original musical arrangements that our Guilford Park Presbyterian Church Men’s Chorus has sung with his Providence Men’s Choir over several years,” George Setzer said.
“It is exciting to see what he does with music.”

Describing Watkins as quick of mind but slower in body, Setzer said he marvels at Watkins’ grit to keep making music despite his Parkinson’s.

Watkins continues to make music with his choir and sharing in other community activities, Setzer said.

Recently, he participated in “Men Singing Their Faith IV,” which was held at the Korean First Presbyterian Church in May with five men’s singing groups participating.

“Cliff’s choir was the largest of the five sponsoring churches,” Setzer said.

Watkins’ musical interests have centered upon arranging, composition and music history.

“He wrote new music for that program and directed the mass choir of all five singing groups from his wheelchair — an inspiration to us all,” Setzer said.

During his tenure at A&T, Watkins taught African American music history.

In his book “Showman — The Life and Music of Perry George Lowery,” Watkins wanted to honor the musical contributions of this outstanding black musician who inspired many and whose career spanned from the 1880s to World War II.

Watkins started the book in 1982 and completed it in 2000.

Lowery was a band and orchestra leader, showman, manager and entrepreneur. He led circus bands, headlining the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey sideshows from 1919 to 1931.

Watkins has also served as a deacon at Providence Church.

He and his wife are thankful for the spirit-filled Christians they have met there.

They believe God has blessed them individually and collectively by giving them opportunities to participate in the ministry of the church during their 27 years of membership and their 47 years of marriage.

Contact Watkins by e-mail at seewat1@aol.com or by phone at 855-1173.

To suggest a person or organization that is making a difference in the lives of others, contact Peggy Longmire at rlongmire@triad.rr.com or call 288-9040.