Memorial concert is tribute to the late Paul Rice

It was a bittersweet evening for Nelljean Rice on Thursday, Sept. 26.

Surrounded by family and friends, the dean of University College was celebrating a birthday that might have been. Her late husband, Paul Rice, would have been 70.

The Paul Rice Memorial Concert honored the former professor, poet and musician with an evening of music and poetry. A giant picture of the professor was projected onto the wall of the Recital Hall stage behind the faculty band, so all the musical numbers and poetry readings were under Rice’s watchful eye.

Rice died in 2004, and, in his memory, the Department of English and associate professor of English Dan Albergotti spearheaded creation of the Paul Rice Poetry Broadside Series, a competition for young CCU poets that continues today. The concert was a fundraiser for the series, and Albergotti read several students’ winning poems from over the years, as well as some of Rice’s poems.

Special musical guests included songwriter/singer Jesse Rice, son of Nelljean and Paul, whose song “Cruise” has been the longest running country hit on the Billboard charts. In addition to his hit song, Jesse also performed a poignant song he wrote for his father, “While He’s Still Around.”

Elise Testone was also on hand to sing some of Rice’s favorite songs, including  “Across the Miles,” which he wrote for his daughter Emily as she left for college. Testone, a singer of “American Idol”’ prominence, was a musical protégé of Paul Rice’s.

"I was so happy that everyone came together and that people travelled from afar to attend that the happiness overwhelmed the sadness," says Nelljean. "An event like this one keeps Paul and his vibrant spirit alive. I just felt it a great honor to be a part of the celebration!

"One of the parts of the event I feel so good about is how Paul’s musical protégées -- Jesse and Elise -- have progressed in their careers. The music business is harsh, and the fact that they’ve both risen to the top of a very steep heap is fantastic!"

Faculty band members included: Brian Nance, Steve Hamelman, Dan Ennis, Scott Pleasant and retired professor Steve Nagle. CCU music professor David Bankston aso performed some of Rice's favorite songs.