Alan Steven Keaton

I was really sorry when John Tice called to say we had lost Alan. I want to say how proud we are to have Alan as a member of the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame. He was a great Entertainer and a fine person. Johnny (Carson) and I spent many a night at West Texas listening to Alan and the Generals. On behalf of the members of the ACMHF, I want to send our condolences to Rhonda and the Family. Alan will be truly missed by all the fans and friends he made over the years. I lost Johnny in 2010. We both thought the world of Alan. Rest in Peace Alan. Phyllis Annell Cole, Co-Founder, Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame (404-323-2087, carsoncole@aol.com)

Almost 31 years ago, I met this man who would in many ways change my life. He first caught my eye and my ear ... he was one of the finest singers that lived ... his musical talent was God-given from bass to falsetto he could hit them all. He could sound like Willie one moment and Ray Charles the next, then flip the script and if you closed your eyes you thought Elvis had returned from beyond. Yet it was those times he sang like Alan Steven Keaton that the listener's jaw would drop and often you heard, "Where did that come from?"

A song he sang at many a funeral was "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" ... today it will be played at his ... it was a song I know God gifted and anointed Alan to sing. I've seen church altars fill as he say it. God used him greatly for a time with just that song.

He wrote a song called "The Light" in the mid-90's ... one line [talking about God] said, "He must have seen something that I couldn't see, He must have seen something worth saving in me." He never saw that in himself, but on Christmas night, when he entered the gates of heaven, and he saw his Saviour's face, he finally wholly and completely understood his worth.

Farewell my friend ... I'll be home before you know it, because time holds no meaning in that city where you now reside.

Alan and I were friends beginning in high school, but our lives took different paths later on. I hadn't seen him in many years but am glad I spoke with him on the phone earlier this year. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family and other friends. He was a talented individual who will always be in my memory.