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MATTHEW HOLT: NO DOUBT,.. MY HERO WAS ANTHONY BURGER
Perrys' piano player Matthew Holt was invited to play for the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall Of
Fame induction ceremony for Anthony Burger. SGReporter news writer Chuck Peters talked with Matthew..
and learned more about his admiration for Burger.
Holt says his dad's favorite group was the Kingsmen and they soon became his favorite too. His parents
started taking Matthew to KMen concerts at a very early age. In fact.. he was just two years old the first time he
saw Anthony Burger play. Although his memory is a little vague.. he says he remembers that night. "My parents
had taken me to a Kingsmen concert in a gymnasium. My parents tell me that as soon as the Kingsmen hit the
stage, my eyes were glued on Anthony at the piano. They said I turned around and acted like I was playing the
piano on the bleachers. After the concert, my dad took me to meet Anthony.. and that was all it took."
Holt told us that the day after that first meeting his mom and dad bought him a miniature Casio keyboard. A
few months later Matthew played his first song. "I remember hearing the song at church that morning.. when I
got home, I went straight to my keyboard.. and picked out the hymn of the church: Sweet Hour Of Prayer. I was
three."
Matthew Holt indicated to our reporter that he didn't have several influences like a lot of musicians.. he says:
"I'm a little different. From the first time I saw him I ate, slept, and breathed the music of Anthony. When I got a
little older, he began to work with me,.. most of the time, after a concert. He always took the time to step out in
front of the product table, kneel down on one knee, and talk to me. He always had something encouraging to
say." Matthew credits Anthony with telling him to throw his baseball glove away. Burger told the young piano
player that he didn't need to risk hurting his hands.
Holt says he even got to play on the same stage as Anthony and the Kingsmen when he was just five or six
years old: "Every time I went to see the Kingsmen, Jim Hamill would call me up to play during their concert. (I
thought I had made it) The only songs I knew were those that Anthony had played before. Imagine being five
years old and playing a solo in front of Anthony Burger,.. not to mention, one that he had already played. But
every time I'd finish, he would be the first person to stand up and cheer me on. I would give anything to go back
to those days."
Matthew Holt stayed in touch with Anthony throughout his career.. right up to his untimely death. Holt adds: "I
had called Anthony last January,.. I was getting married in May, and wanted him to play at my wedding. His
exact words were.. 'If Gaither doesn't have me booked somewhere in Egypt, I would love to.' He said he would
check his schedule and get back with me.. God had other plans."
We asked Matthew to write a few lines about his "Hero"..here are his comments:
Everybody has a hero.. Some look up to a famous preacher, some might say their mom and dad, some might
confess their hero was a teacher they had in high school.. and those are all great people to respect.. but in my
case, no doubt, my hero was Anthony Burger. From that first time at the age of two, playing the "bleachers" in
the gymnasium, I wanted to be like him. I am one of the blessed and lucky ones. God saw fit to grant me my
dream. I am playing Southern Gospel piano,.. full time.
There will never be another Anthony Burger. He changed the way the piano is played. When Charlie Waller
called and asked me to play at Anthony's induction into the Hall of Fame, I was speechless. No greater honor
could have been given to me. I owe my love of Southern Gospel music to Anthony. If it hadn't been for the good
Lord and Anthony, I wouldn't be where I am today. God blesses people with talents every day.. but there has to
be someone placed in your life to help you nurture and grow that talent. To challenge you,.. to make you a
better musician,.. but ultimately, a better Christian, and a better person. That's who Anthony was to me.
There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about him. I hope I can have half the impact on someone's life
as he had on mine. I pray, come October, I will be able to honor Anthony in the way that he deserves.
Matthew Holt (The Perrys)
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABP NEWS
04/18/07
ANTHONY BURGER PROJECT WINS SGN AWARD
The 2007 SGN Music Awards were presented Tuesday night in Smyrna, Tennessee. Promoters say a "standing
room only" crowd attended the special concert celebration.
LuAnn Burger attended the event for ABP and is happy to report that Anthony's "The Best Of Anthony Burger"
DVD and CD project (produced by Bill Gaither) won the Special Event Project Of The Year Award.
(Buy this award winning Anthony Burger project now CLICK HERE)
ANTHONY BURGER PROJECT WINS SGN AWARD
The 2007 SGN Music Awards were presented Tuesday night in Smyrna, Tennessee. Promoters say a "standing
room only" crowd attended the special concert celebration.
LuAnn Burger attended the event for ABP and is happy to report that Anthony's "The Best Of Anthony Burger"
DVD and CD project (produced by Bill Gaither) won the Special Event Project Of The Year Award.
(Buy this award winning Anthony Burger project now CLICK HERE)
****
A.J. BURGER GRADUATES
LuAnn Burger reports that the family celebrated A. J.'s graduation from Independence High School May 26th.
LuAnn says: "Anthony's mother and father were with us for the entire weekend and it was so great to spend time
with them here in our home and for them to be present to watch A.J. walk across the stage and receive his
diploma."
A.J. will be attending Austin Peay University in Clarksville, TN on a music scholarship for the bassoon. Along with
the Burger family and staff, a host of friends and Burger Buddies were present to honor A.J. and stand in
remembrance of Anthony. LuAnn adds: "I know how proud Anthony would have been to see this day."
A.J. turned 18 years old June 2nd. (2007)
CLICK EACH SMALL PICTURE TO SEE A FULL SIZE PHOTO:
A.J. BURGER GRADUATES
LuAnn Burger reports that the family celebrated A. J.'s graduation from Independence High School May 26th.
LuAnn says: "Anthony's mother and father were with us for the entire weekend and it was so great to spend time
with them here in our home and for them to be present to watch A.J. walk across the stage and receive his
diploma."
A.J. will be attending Austin Peay University in Clarksville, TN on a music scholarship for the bassoon. Along with
the Burger family and staff, a host of friends and Burger Buddies were present to honor A.J. and stand in
remembrance of Anthony. LuAnn adds: "I know how proud Anthony would have been to see this day."
A.J. turned 18 years old June 2nd. (2007)
CLICK EACH SMALL PICTURE TO SEE A FULL SIZE PHOTO:
LUANN BURGER REPORTS FROM SGMA HALL OF FAME EVENT
The Southern Gospel Music Association held it's annual Hall Of Fame induction ceremony October 11th
at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The class of 2007 inductees included Anthony Burger,
Roger Bennett, Joel Hemphill, Lou Wills-Hildreth, Jimmy Jones, David Reese, James Sego, and
Archie Watkins.
LuAnn Burger was there to accept the honor for Anthony,.. and tells us about the event: "A video tribute
was presented and followed by Matthew Holt, pianist with the Perrys, playing 'When They Ring Those
Golden Bells' in tribute to the life of Anthony Burger. As they placed the medal around my neck and
handed me his award I remember standing there thinking, How can I possibly express what this means
to our family and what it would have meant to Anthony? It was a very special moment honoring a life
well lived and we appreciate the SGMA for honoring Anthony as well as Matt’s incredible performance
that touched at the very heart strings of those present and brought them to their feet."
CLICK HERE to see pictures from the Hall Of Fame event
The Southern Gospel Music Association held it's annual Hall Of Fame induction ceremony October 11th
at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The class of 2007 inductees included Anthony Burger,
Roger Bennett, Joel Hemphill, Lou Wills-Hildreth, Jimmy Jones, David Reese, James Sego, and
Archie Watkins.
LuAnn Burger was there to accept the honor for Anthony,.. and tells us about the event: "A video tribute
was presented and followed by Matthew Holt, pianist with the Perrys, playing 'When They Ring Those
Golden Bells' in tribute to the life of Anthony Burger. As they placed the medal around my neck and
handed me his award I remember standing there thinking, How can I possibly express what this means
to our family and what it would have meant to Anthony? It was a very special moment honoring a life
well lived and we appreciate the SGMA for honoring Anthony as well as Matt’s incredible performance
that touched at the very heart strings of those present and brought them to their feet."
CLICK HERE to see pictures from the Hall Of Fame event
LORI GRADUATES CUM LAUDE
The second week of May was a whirlwind of excitement for LuAnn Burger and Lori. LuAnn says:
"Family members and friends came to town from near and far to celebrate Lori's graduation from
Belmont University. She graduated Cum Laude earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal
Studies, with an emphasis in Business, Marketing, and Music." Lori has been a four year Hope
scholarship recipient and part of the first group of scholarship graduates. Her plans include a schedule
which will allow her much more time to travel and sing and to pursue her Master's degree.
Graduation festivities also included a celebration luncheon at Stoney River Restaurant with many out
of town guests. Our dear friend and Homecoming magazine writer Sue Buchanan was also present
and plans to include a story about Lori in an upcoming issue of the magazine so look for that in the
near future.
The second week of May was a whirlwind of excitement for LuAnn Burger and Lori. LuAnn says:
"Family members and friends came to town from near and far to celebrate Lori's graduation from
Belmont University. She graduated Cum Laude earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal
Studies, with an emphasis in Business, Marketing, and Music." Lori has been a four year Hope
scholarship recipient and part of the first group of scholarship graduates. Her plans include a schedule
which will allow her much more time to travel and sing and to pursue her Master's degree.
Graduation festivities also included a celebration luncheon at Stoney River Restaurant with many out
of town guests. Our dear friend and Homecoming magazine writer Sue Buchanan was also present
and plans to include a story about Lori in an upcoming issue of the magazine so look for that in the
near future.
| CLICK EACH SMALL IMAGE TO SEE A FULL SIZE PHOTO |