- uncle don back in the day
every time i sit down for a meal i express gratitude for all the forces that helped bring the food to my plate: the natural elements, farmers, farmhands, transporters, chefs, kitchen assistants, and servers in many cases. because i want to encourage others to do so as well, i asked my uncle Don Bryant (my first name is my mother’s maiden name) if he would compose an original prayer-song to contribute. he said yes!
uncle don was a well-known songwriter-singer in the 1970s. he was the staff songwriter at hi records, and he penned a slew of hits for that label’s artists (including al green, willie mitchell, and ann peebles). his most celebrated songs were written for his wife, ann peebles. you know that song “I Can’t Stand The Rain”—which was covered by over 30 artists (including cassandra wilson, michael bolton, tina turner) and sampled by missy elliot for her first big hit? well uncle don wrote it.