THE WONDER OF YOU

 Greetings and Salutations O Ye Musicologist:

QUESTION: What is in common with a polio survivor, Elvis Presley, a minister, and "the golden voice of rock and roll"?  ANSWER: The Wonder of You.

In 1959...a guy by the name of Baker Knight wrote a song called the Wonder of You...and an RCA Victor recording artist by the name of Ray Peterson (April 23, 1939-January 25, 2005) recorded it.  Ray was a young singer...who overcame polio (coming out the other side with a limp)...who hailed from Denton Texas.  He just happened to have a four and a half octave singing voice.

 This synergistic combination produced some great hits of early rock and roll.  Of course it was not a raucous rock and roll like the early architects of rock and roll...but a more smooth version.  Songs hits followed like Goodnight My Love (Pleasant Dreams), Tell Laura I Love Her, Answer Me, Fever, Corrina Corrina.  Various labels followed including RCA VICTOR, Dunes Records (created by Ray in honor of his time in Vegas at The Dunes Hotel), and MGM. 

Ray first had a hit with THE WONDER OF YOU in 1959...and then a resurgence in 1064 when it was re-released.  Then in 1970 there was an artist who was expereinced a comback to touring (beginning in 1968)...by the name of Elvis Presley.

BUNNY TRAIL#1:  The leather clad Elvis electrified the world with his singing power and charisma... and in 1969 I went to the Houston Astrodome to see Elvis for two shows.  At this time Elvis began to do shows at the International Hotel in Las Vegas and the iron man of touring was born again.

Elvis contacted Ray and requested permission to record THE WONDER OF YOU...to which Ray responded that he did not have to ask...after all "you're Elvis Presley"...to which Elvis responded, "You're Ray Peterson."  The result was one of Elvis' biggest hits. Like Elvis...Ray is showcaed with his live shows.

BUNNY TRAIL#2:  Many years ago when my wife Brenda and my son Phillip went on a mini vacation to Florida to see some relatives and the New York Yankees training camp...they had the opportunity to go see Ray in concert.

One of my favorite albums does not have any of Ray's hits on it.  It is called THE OTHER SIDE OF RAY PETERSON.  This is a great collection of Ray singing from his shows with the hits. 

As we approach the anniversary of his death (January 25, 2005)...I am thinking of THE OTHER SIDE OF RAY PETERSON...and I don't mean the album.  I am talking about the OTHER SIDE that I knew of Ray Peterson.

Ray was a husband, father, minister, golfer, friend to many, and a Ruminator.  Ray and his lovely wife Claudia came to the church where I attended called Smyrna Assembly (now called Springhouse Worship and Arts Center). 

BUNNY TRAIL #3:  Ray did a concert at our church...and I was blown away...not JUST by his still four octave singing voice...but by his HEART OF LOVE for the Lord and people.

Ray had a way of making you feel special if you were on the golf course, in concert, or just one on one.  I remember many a time when we would run into each other and called me one of his sweethearts (a term of endearment), and great me with a holy kiss on the cheek.  He always encouraged me in my teachings and love me enough to encourage me to take a breath mint. :  )   His family was and is still precious to me (I never met all of his children), with Claudia, Sara, Adam, Tim and Leah.

Ray was not a perfect man...but he was a man who served a perfect God.  I still miss him...but I am still encouraged when I read about him, listen to his music, watch a You Tube video of him...but I am always encouraged to pursue my relationship with the God who is a WONDER. 

Ray would often let us know and his audiance that the song THE WONDER OF YOU was more than a love song to a girl or even to the lovely Claudia...but it was a love song to His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  The next time you hear it...think of Ray...and then turn your eyes upon Jesus.

THE WONDER OF YOU (Baker Knight)

When no one else can understand me...when everything I do is wrong
You give me love and consolation...You give me hope to carry on
An you try to show...Your love for me...in everything you do
That's the wonder...the Wonder of you (Oh Wonder of you-ou-ou)

And when you smile the world is brighter
You touch my hand and I'm a king.
Your kiss to me is worth a fortune...you're love to me is everything
And you're always there to lend a hand...in all I try to do
That's the wonder...the wonder of you
(musical interlude)

I guiess I'll never know...the reason why...You love me as you do
That's the wonder...the wonder of you.

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY

Ray is no longer with us on a physical plane...but he is in the presence of God...not limping from polio, breathing easier and still experiencing THE WONDER OF HIM.  When you think about... it is a song...an ANTHEM OF THE GRACE OF GOD IN OUR LIVES.

Love and Sweetheart Kisses
Rodney "Good Night My Love (Pleasant Dreams)" Boyd