There is no greater blessing in life than a good friend. A gentleman who has truly been such to me and my family since the early 90's is Dennis Zimmerman. For nearly four decades, he has faithfully given his talents and leadership ability to our field of music; and as a result, countless lives have been blessed and touched by the ministry of the Watchmen Quartet. It was in October of 1993 that I first learned what kind of a man Dennis is. The Richland Trio had just disbanded. The Trio had a booking in the Bakersfield area, and when I told the promoter that the Trio would not be able to come he asked me to let the Family step in and fill the date, which we did. We had no idea that Dennis and the Watchmen would be passing through town, that evening, on their way up north for some singing date. When they heard about the Bakersfield program, they decided to stop by and take it in. As they sat on the front row that night, the Herb Henry Family went on stage and nervously sang the best we knew how in front of this veteran quartet. After the program, Dennis and the Watchmen came up to us with nothing but compliments and encouragement. Looking back, I know they had to be very gracious to say the kind things they did, but it was the "push" we needed to go forward with our singing at a higher level. I will never forget what they did for us that night, and we have tried to pass that same good deed along to other upcoming groups over the years. In the years to come, the Herb Henry Family and the Watchmen would team up for many memorable programs. In 2000 and 2001 we presented a "Heritage Tour," in which we sang in several cities, singing the songs and sharing the stories of the wonderful groups who went before us like the Blackwood Brothers and the Speer Family. Last year, when I celebrated my 60th Birthday in my native town of Oakdale, I invited the Watchmen as my special guests. A special birthday treat that night was getting to sing baritone next to Dennis as the quartet performed "The Old Country Church." When Dennis called me last fall and shared with me that he was retiring the group at the end of 2008, I was somewhat in shock. I just couldn't imagine going on without the Watchmen. But all things have their time and seasons, and Dennis has chosen to exit the stage the only way he knows how, with dignity and class. At our 17th Annual Labor Day Celebration, which will be at Modesto Junior College auditorium on Monday, Sept. 1, we will be saying farewell to Dennis and the Watchmen. It will be an event that no Gospel Music fan will want to miss. On the Sunday evening before, the Watchmen will be at our home church, Richland Faith Assembly of God in Ceres at 6pm. I invite you to be a part of these special events in which we express our love and appreciation to the man who, in Gospel music, has truly been "the dearest friend I ever had." Herb Henry | ||||
