“There is a Brighter Day”: A Conversation About Hurricane Katrina with American Idol 3’s George Huff

Over the past few days, I have received scores of emails from people asking me if I had any word on how George Huff and his family were doing in the wake of the disaster that has befallen George’s hometown of New Orleans. While I had heard that they were okay, I really didn’t know where George was and how he was feeling about all of this.

Certainly, there are hundreds of thousands of people who are suffering as a result of this horrible situation, and they all deserve our concern. The Huffs are only one family. But I felt that it was important to find out how George is doing, and was fortunate enough to be able to reach him by telephone. I say fortunate because talking to George is always an uplifting and truly joyful experience.

Rest assured, George and his immediate family are just fine, and will be staying in the Dallas area for the foreseeable future. His mother and two sisters left New Orleans on Saturday, and although they realize that they have probably lost their home and everything in it, they are doing well. George had been in Oklahoma on business, but traveled to Dallas to be with his family earlier in the week.

Although the situation in his hometown is disturbing, George sees all of this as having a positive side. He believes that what is going on in New Orleans will affect the entire country, and that people will finally come together in love and charity. Restoration will come, he believes, when people are there for one another.

“People have been divided for so long,” he told me. “It’s time for unity and charity to take over.”

George believes that it is important for all of us to focus on what’s important, and that is the love and security of family and loved ones. His greatest wish is for other people who are suffering now to be able to find their loved ones and experience that same joy. “Nothing else really matters,” he said.

George asked that we all give what we can to organizations such as the Red Cross. He has also established an organization with some friends in Oklahoma called Oklahoma Cares. They are planning to collect food and other necessities to send to Houston.

He wants to get to the Astrodome to sing for the people there, giving them a little ray of hope. Additionally, his management group is talking to the producers of several of the upcoming fundraising specials, including the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, which will also be raising money for hurricane victims this year, as well as the BET special scheduled for September 9.

With the release of his first full-length CD, Miracles, a little over five weeks away, George is gearing up for some promotional appearances and radio interviews. He is excited about the album and hopes that we “get” the message of love and hope that is at the core of the album. His message came through loud and clear. “There is a brighter day,” he said. “ All of this is to shape and mold me.”

The title song from the album seems especially pertinent. A friend attended George’s concert last month in West Virginia. George sang “Miracles,” the title track from his album, and she wrote down the lyrics. I share them because they really are what George Huff is all about:

You can donate to the Red Cross easily through Amazon.com – just click here.

Donna Reynolds is a freelance writer based in Syracuse, New York. While entertainment sustains her emotionally, she earns her daily bread by writing and editing web copy. Check out her website at www.reynoldswrites.com. Donna loves mail, so shoot her an email at foxydonna@earthlink.net.

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