My mother, Delma Nelson, received the Foundation for the Promotion of Music’s Musician of the Year Award in 1993. She was a champion of music and arts in our community and an active contributer to the Thomas Center Associates. Mother organized live music performances in each of the homes on the then annual Spring Pilgrimage tour of historic homes. Visitors were treated to local history and architecture accompanied by pianists, violinists, vocalists and a variety of ensembles that played every hour of the tour. She was among music legends, including Gary Langford, Reid Poole, Russell Danburg, Lou Hyatt, Kathy DeWitt, Russell Robinson, Catherine Murphree, Dorothy Reeves and 40 others who have received the Foundation’s award over the last half century. They all helped to bring young people to the joy of music, many of whom became gifted artists such as those who will be honored this Sunday at the Thomas Center. Bravo.