“The Life and Music of Jim Nabors” was presented recently at the Public Library of Anniston-Calhoun County by Chris Phillips of Sylacauga. It’s appropriate to appreciate Nabors, who was born and raised in Sylacauga where he first began singing in his high school choir glee club and church choir. According to Phillips, Nabors never had a music lesson but was self-taught.

Phillips presented information, photographs, trivia, as well as television and movie clips of Nabors. The audience enjoyed Phillips singing Nabors’ songs, including “Ave Maria,” “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” “Santa Lucia,” “How Great Thou Art” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

Nabors, blessed with a rich baritone voice and quick wit, is one of America’s most beloved personalities. Nabors’ unique career has included all aspects of the entertainment industry and earned him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He had a No. 1-rated situation comedy, a Top 10 variety show, a talk show, several television specials, a recording career and performed in stage productions and concerts, as well as acted in movies for the big screen and television.

On occasion, Nabors visits Sylacauga although he lives in Honolulu and has a macadamia nut farm in Maui where he also grows tropical flowers. Hats off to this accomplished Alabama native.

Penny J. Nielsen
Weaver