Music historian and musician Bobby Horton advised Samford University graduates Dec. 17 that life’s only real security lies in how many things they know how to do, how hard they’re willing to work and how well they know the Lord.
“Those are the only real securities in life,” Horton told Samford’s 261 fall graduates during commencement in Wright Center.
Horton, a 1972 Samford graduate, said his grandfather helped him define security many years ago when he needed to decide between two career paths. He could continue a secure career as a computer programmer or follow his passion for music with his popular band, Three on a String.
“Both jobs were going a little bit too well and I was never home,” recalled Horton, who heeded his grandfather’s counsel to consider which one he liked the best and would also support his family.
Thankfully for the vast audiences that have enjoyed his talent and expertise as a music historian, Horton chose music over his job at Liberty National Life Insurance Co. “I left and haven’t looked back other than to recall the fond memories of the people there,” he said.
Known for his work to preserve American song, Horton has collaborated with documentary filmmaker Ken Burns on 13 projects, selecting and, in some cases, playing music for such Burns projects as “The Civil War,” “Baseball,” “Lewis and Clark,” “The National Parks” and others.
The Birmingham native plays instruments ranging from banjo to trumpet, which he played as a member of the Samford marching band.
For the commencement audience of about 2,000 at his alma mater, he noted his unusual choice of academic major. “I had a passion for music and history, so I decided to major in accounting and minor in economics,” quipped Horton, one of the world’s leading authorities on music of the Civil War.
Horton expanded on the advice from his “poppa” by urging the graduates to always grow the number of things they know how to do. “Take advantage of continuing education programs, for instance. Always keep learning. Learn something new every day,” Horton said.
Also evaluate how hard you are willing to work, he said. “You have to tell yourself, ‘I’m not too good to work hard.’ There is a satisfaction in it.”
Thirdly, he said, consider how well you know the Lord. Horton said over the years, he has realized the importance of a deep spiritual life, whether it relates to family, friends or job. “My heroes are all persons of faith,” he said.
“I’ve had a wonderful life, and I love what I do. I’ve gotten to do things I never thought I would do and met people I never thought I would meet. I hope you have happiness and success and realize your dream,” he told the graduates.
“Don’t ever let go of your dreams but be realistic about them.”
Horton lived up to Samford President Andrew Westmoreland’s prediction that he would be an interesting and “unorthodox commencement speaker” when he concluded his remarks on a musical note.
Horton played guitar while his longtime friend, retired Samford music faculty member Bill Bugg, sang the 19th-century American folk spiritual “The Wayfaring Stranger.” The song, Horton observed, “draws on wisdom for the ages to talk about the journey through this life.” (SU)
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