The first time I saw Nelson I saw him standing on the back row of the choir. He was holding a hymnal in his big right hand and when he sung he lifted his eyes like he was gazing into the eyes of the Lord. He sung the bass line, and it seemed like the lower his voice sunk the higher his eyes sought. He was only seventeen then but already taller than all the grown men. I could always see him even though me and my folks sat near the back. He slicked his black hair straight back. I never saw a man that was beautiful before except Valentino and I didn't know what to think.