Christian singer/songwriter/comedian Aaron Wilburn died Nov. 27 following a weeks long battle with COVID-19. He was 70 years old.
Wilburn’s musical talent paired with his good-natured humor made him a popular entertainer for decades.
Born in Ardmore, Alabama, he first gained national attention as a band member of The Happy Goodman Family during the early 1970s. Later in his career he was frequently seen on Bill Gaither’s Homecoming concerts and videos.
As a solo artist, he shared his talents in gospel concerts, church services, convention, corporate banquets and events of all sizes for more than 40 years. Wilburn made his mark as a songwriter too. Through five decades of songwriting, he wrote or co-wrote several beloved gospel songs, including “Four Days Late,” “Home,” “It Won’t Rain Always,” “That Sounds Like Home To Me,” “What A Beautiful Day (For The Lord To Come Again),” and dozens more.
During his career, Aaron was honored with several No. 1 songs, multiple Dove Awards and numerous Grammy nominations. Two songs, “What A Beautiful Day (For The Lord To Come Again)” and “Four Days Late,” were voted as “Song Of The Year” by subscribers of Singing News Magazine in 1975 and 2001, respectively. In 2010 “Four Days Late” was chosen by the Singing News Magazine as Song of the Decade.
Special friend of TAB Media
Wilburn became a special friend of TAB Media as part of a 2019 concert series sponsored by TAB. He also performed at the Aug. 2 Beauregard Strong benefit night hosted by Providence Baptist Church, Opelika.
In one of that evening’s most serious moments Wilburn sang a song he had just written, “Looks Like Jesus to Me.” The lyrics describe scenes of people ministering and the refrain, “that looks like Jesus to me.” The song was written about The Bridge ministry in Nashville, which serves the homeless and poor.
Wilburn added a special final verse for the Opelika crowd, which noted the ministry done in the Beauregard community and specifically out of Providence Baptist Church. As tears flowed among those in the audience Wilburn pointed to the crowd and sang, “You look a lot like Jesus to me.” The song was released by The Talleys earlier this year.
Speaking of the song, Wilburn said, “God is not an accidental God, not a haphazard God, and not a reckless God. He knows our tomorrows before our tomorrows arrive and when we have needs, He will meet them — sometimes from the giving hands of others — and also from our blessed hands into the lives of others. We never look more like Him than when we are serving others.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, performers were among those most affected. But in an interview with TAB Media, Wilburn looked to his faith in the confusion of the crisis.
“I learned as a child in Alabama when the storms came, the rain fell, and the lightning and thunder showed its power that I could sleep when mom and dad told me it will be alright,” he said.
“I have learned in the years I have lived, that my Lord has said, ‘I am with you always’ … so I can rest,” he said. “It will be alright.
“I have determined not to spend a lot of time worrying, knowing I have no control over this situation,” Wilburn noted. “God has been my source, and will be.”
Share with others: