As I was working on some podcasts this evening I was playing Spirit of the Century by The Blind Boys of Alabama, an album I can listen to over and over again.

A couple of years ago I was in Nashville for a conference that had nothing to do with music but was held at the Grand Ole Opry. One night there was an opportunity to go to the Opry and listen to a very nice line up of artists, with Christopher Cross as the headliner.

I wanted to see him, but I was much more excited to see The Blind Boys, one of two opening acts, and I couldn't stop jabbering about them until the other two members of the group I was with caved in and said they'd tag along, even though they were tired and would rather just stay in.

Christopher Cross was excellent, for sure, but the stars that night were The Blind Boys. Only three of the original six members of that group are still alive, and they were all there, singing away. They told their story in words, in song, and in a video that none of The Blind Boys have ever seen.

Perhaps the most amazing thing to me was that they had never, until that night, appeared at the Grand Ole Opry. Even though they sing Southern Gospel and not country, that just seemed wrong. But there wasn't a note or even a hint of a note of bitterness when they talked about finally getting to Opryland, there was only joy.

They must have had some sadness, because three of the six weren't there to celebrate and participate on that famous stage, but you'd never know it. Just like you'd never know by their attitudes or words that they were blind.

And you'd never know that they performed in relative obscurity for 40 years, driving (well, being driven) from gig to gig and loving the music every time. For the last 20 years or so they've been much better well known, finally getting discovered after all that time. But I don't think they've changed.

I can learn a lot from those fellows. Perseverance, patience, perspective and purpose all come to mind, and there are still 25 starting letters I haven't even used.

So thank you, Blind Boys, for all your good music and for your even better hearts. May we all learn to see as well as you can.