I tend to revere musicians who I feel are underrated. For example, Stevie Wonder is not underrated. He is greatness, and everybody knows it — and for whatever reason I don’t have that big an urge to see him in concert.

On the other hand, two of my favorite all-time musicians will be in Norman (Riverwind Casino) over the next month and a half, and I am quite tempted to go my own damned self if I can find nobody else with even the slightest interest.

On June 19, it’s Ronnie Milsap, who was the most soulful country music artist of a generation. Even though my styles as a pianist and songwriter all gravitate more toward Stevie, my musical upbringing was first exposed to pop music during the urban country years. This means Milsap’s hits like “Smoky Mountain Rain” touched my ears well before “I Wish” or “Sir Duke.”

Tunes like “There’s No Gettin’ Over Me,” “Any Day Now” and “It Was Almost Like A Song” transcended country. Listening to “There’s No Gettin’ Over Me,” I’m thinking to myself: How is this country? Not that Milsap wasn’t a bonafide country artist, but he was more soul a lot of the time.

For the record, I’m tempted to post a cover of the tune here soon.

My favorite Milsap tune was a song that my dad and his duo partner, Don Jo Wright, used to play periodically in church. A song written by Randy Sparks called “What A Difference You’ve Made In My Life.” This is oozing with soul.

Lyle’s concert here isn’t until July 9, and I dig him on another level. I’ll pick up the story soon and write a bit about what make that odd-lookin’ feller the talent he is.