I met Holsey Wilkins today, and we got to talking about music. He had an incredible story to tell about his mother, Muriel Wilkins, who was the inspiration for Marc Cohn's hit "Walking in Memphis."
She was my sixth grade teacher back in 19 7677 and she was also my neighbor I live down the street from her on College Street in Helena. I would go to her house I'm weekends and just to visit. She made a big impact in my life and she was mine favorite teacher Pop Bar. I will always miss her!
I was fortunate enough to be able to play the piano in the Hollywood Cafe on Saturday. I played walking in memphis on it, and then gave the crowd an entire show for about 3 hours. I could almost feel the spirit of Muriel guiding my hands as I played, and again just before I left when she whispered in my ear "go on down to beale street, baby, and get yourself a job there so you can come entertain these people again. They need it." And so I left and went to beale street. I left that night with a job offer from Silky O'Sullivans and am now contemplating on taking it (I currently live in knoxville tn, and was just passing through on my way back from L.A.). Getting to be immersed in the culture and playing her iconic piano brought a whole new soul and breath of life into me musically and spiritually. I can't begin to tell you what an honor it was to be able to play and entertain the people there. Maybe i'll do it again someday :)
@@TristanandIsolt life happened, as it so often does. My mother would get sick the year later and leave me that November. I sometimes wonder what might have been had I taken it, but nothing comes before the moms. That’s just law that should be written somewhere. I’m still doing it though.
@@officiallfmmusic9494 Thanks for the reply. Just tonight I looked for Marc's Grammy acceptance speech that was not on RU-vid when I tried to find it before. It was posted a year ago. You might enjoy hearing it. I would give you the link, but I guess that is frowned upon so just look for Marc Cohn Grammy and you will find it.
I always thought Marc C captured Miss Muriel’s essence so well. When she asks him "Tell me are you a Christian child?", there is no way he could have responded other than to say, "Ma'am, I am tonight". She made everyone she encountered feel like a beloved child of God.
The Impact that Muriel had on Marc was very real. They stayed in touch and she attended his wedding in New York. This was all before Walking in Memphis was released. Muriel got to hear the album and her favorite song from it was Walking in Memphis, but she died before it became a hit.
I cry every time I hear 'Walking in Memphis'. I know why I cry for this song. Now I have a second reason for more tears. Thanks for the great story Holsey.
Both beautiful and touching to hear from Muriel's son. Only Heaven fully knows the impact her life had, Mark Cohn being just the tip of that magnificent iceberg of influence.
I just listened to Cohn’s song for the first time ever and saw someone in the comments say the song was a tribute to a family member of theirs named Muriel Wilkins. After the song ended I was compelled to look her up. Appreciate listening to this man speak about his mother. She sounds like she was an amazing woman!
Your mother was a wonderful lady. Wherever she played on Saturday night, she'd always drive back to Helena to play in church Sunday morning. What I'd give now for, " a bowl of butter beans." I used to see her at The Hollywood and Uncle Henry's at Moon Lake. 💐
So nice to hear her son talk about her. Muriel seems like a wonderful lady. Her encouragement led Marc to continue with his music. I want to hear her sing. I'm looking for it on RU-vid.
I should have known this song was anointed. It has always been a favorite of mine since I was a teen. It has so much soul to it. You can tell it is not any ordinary song. I am glad to finally learn the back story about it.
My family is from South Carolina but I was born in Brooklyn, NY. This song speaks to me and I think of it every time I board a plane to visit family in Charleston, SC. It speaks to my (southern) soul.
What a beautiful story thanks for sharing. I love Walking in Memphis one of my favorite songs of the 90s. Lyrics are wonderful and capture the spirits of two musical souls
It doesn't seem like she's been gone that long. Bless her soul. I used to see her play at Uncle Henry's at Moon Lake. I wish I could hear her sing, "Just A Bowl of Butterbeans." RIP sweet lady.
The name Muriel stands out to me because it was my mother’s name. She would have loved hearing her name in a song. She never liked her name, I think it’s beautiful, not many Muriels out there! God bless!
Thanks for posting this. I had the honor to meet Marc Cohn after his concert one night a few years back. He's a sweet generous guy, super-talented song writer. And he always gives credit to Muriel Wilkins in his interviews, so I came to find out about her. I was hoping to hear some of her music. Hope someone in Memphis will find some recordings of hers - if she played so much someone must have something hidden somewhere. Thanks for the stories, Mr. Wilkins!
Cathy thanks for posting this. I just wish there was some recording of Muriel Wilkins. I would love to see her and hear her sing. I would also like to see Marc Cohn's grammy acceptance speech.
Thank you for sharing this. It’s very interesting to know. I’ve always liked that song, “Walking in Memphis”. Some time after my parents divorced, my father lived in some apartments directly across the street from Graceland. I often visited him there at his apartment, although I have never been inside the Graceland mansion. Anyway, my mother and a few of my siblings moved to Georgia for a few years and every time I heard this song it reminded me of my father and the times I visited him. That made me miss him even more. That song always makes me cry, but at the same time I can’t help singing along because the music just moves me. That piano…the singing…wow. I just love it. I’ve seen the video (spoof) “Walking in Staten” on Saturday Night Live, which has the same music but different lyrics and includes Marc Cohn singing along with others. That video is funny and makes me laugh, but the music still moves me. I believe music is a gift from our Creator and I really appreciate artists like Mr. Cohn that share their talents with others.
God bless her... God bless you. I think this song has a beautiful meaning. A trip to Memphis provided him Joy by finding God in music!! Finding God trough Muriel❤❤. A big hug from México City 🙂
Thank you for posting this , walking in Memphis is such a special song for me . I’ve been lucky enough to visit Memphis three times and hope to go back one day
Not to be disrespectful whatsoever, but this story is too amazing to an extent where I wish it could’ve been incorporated into Forrest Gump somehow. It seems like something he would’ve accidentally been a part of lol. Thank you so much for telling this story! I loved it so much!
The first time I heard of this song was on America's Got Talent. I had to look up the name of the young man who sang it. Name: Eli Mattson. His sister said his voice is inspirational. He won. His mothers house was destroyed by Katrina. He used the money to build her a new house. Definition of a good man: When you take care of your mother.
Ms. Wilkins was my sister’s, brother’s, and my piano teacher. I pledge AKA under her too. Not only could she play, she could sing. The lady meant business and knew how to handle business. I loved me some Muriel Wilkins, also an educator!
I just watched an interview with Mark Cohn and am glad I looked for this interview as well. I'm blown away. Thank you. I wonder if there is any video of Muriel Wilkins somewhere.
I have not been able to find any video of Muriel unfortunately. She was such an inspiration to so many - her faith and kindness must have shown through her music.
@@CathyShapiro1 I would love to find some video of Muriel, but unfortunately as you said there doesn't seem to be any. However, she lives on in the hearts and stories of all the people who knew and loved her.
@@CathyShapiro1 This is new. I couldn't find it a year ago at least. Marc Cohn's Grammy acceptance speech. Maybe you can pass it on to Holsey. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2HIWcstsaVw.html
Now Muriel plays piano Every Friday at the Hollywood And they brought me down to see her And they asked me if I would Do a little number And I sang with all my might She said "Tell me are you a Christian child?" And I said "Ma'am, I am tonight"
I had no idea Muriel was real makes the song even more special and yes I believe she is his angel and was with him the night he was shot. Bless you and your family and Cathy too thank you for this.
Eyes are on the sparrow. And I know his eye is on me This verse I don't get. The sparrow went from God having 2 on the sparrow to having 1 eye on me. Who poked out his good eye
She sounds like a good ole southern soul. Southern people know how to make you feel @ home. I’m living in the east coast now, but sure miss that southern hospitality.. may her soul rest in peace.
