This past week has been one of the most emotional and heart breaking weeks of my life. And I write this blog as an attempt to put closure on the pain. On Friday Feb. 10, I went to Atlanta to help a good friend of mine moved into he and his wife's dream home. Before I go any futher let me tell you about my friend. My good friend's name is Ken Batie. He was a driving force in Atlanta's independent music scene. As a Dee Jay at Clark/Atlanta's Univ. progressive Jazz radio station he pushed to get Atlanta's local talent exposure on an International stage. With his dynamic afternoon drive radio show he blazed the airwaves with innovative sounds that soon became an Atlanta mainstay. Even as a dialysis patient Ken forged ahead doing his 2pm - 6pm radio show Monday thru Friday and hosted numerous events around the city ever weekend. My friend defied medical experts and flourished on dialysis for more than 13 years.

Now back to my story. I worked all that weekend moving almost 8000 albums and more than 30,000 CD's and loads of furniture. On Sunday morning at about 2am we completed the move. When we completed the move my friend's brother suggested that we pray. His brother lead a prayer that requseted God take his brother's pain away and restore his health. After the prayer my friend and I laid on the floor of his new home and talked throughout the night. On Sunday the next day, I had the joy of watching my friend and his wife settle into their dream home. Oh did I mention that He and his wife had just adopted a set of 7 month old twins. A boy and a girl name Kenneth and Kennedy respectively. At 4pm Sunday evening I was preparing to leave Atlanta and head back home. Before I jumped in my truck to leave, I shook my friend's hand and he gave me a big hug and told me how much he appreciated my help. I return home around 9pm Sunday evening and gave him a call and we chit chatted and made plans to get together again soon. On Monday about 3pm I recieved a call from a mutual friend who informed me that my buddy had been killed in a tragic car wreck. The statement took the wind from me. And I don't have the words to explain how devastated I was to hear that bad news. Let's just say I was floored.

I spent the next few days just walking around in a fog. I was unable to think or do anything but miss my friend. I finally got to speak with his wife on Wednesday. This beautiful sister told me That "you know Ken loved you and you were here for him when he needed you most" She was so strong that I was able to pulled myself together. On Saturday Feb 17, I traveled back to Atlanta to bury my friend. His funeral was attended by some of the top musicians in Atlanta including India Arie. I was not shocked how many lives this brother touched for I always new how special he was.

I have thought about my friend constanly since he pasted and I do understand that his pain is over. But I am just so sad that he will not get to see the twins grow up and that he did not get to set up his music library in his home. But I as close this blog I know he is heaven putting together a gig and spinning tunes just like he always loved to. I miss him dearly but I am inspired to go on and keep the music alive.  

If you are interested in knowing more about my friend go to his website www.hoticeonline.com or check out his myspace page 1 on my top friends.