Larry, I do remember one incident when Stevie had been traveling and when he
had gotten back, Mrs. Karner asked him about his time away, and although I
don't remember much about what he said, he talked about being in France and
perhaps other parts of Europe. That is something that would have interested me
for sure. Maybe Lucy can add more to this.
Mark Martin, 73.
----- Original Message -----
From: lkeeler@xxxxxxxxxxx
To: msb-alumni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2016 6:22 AM
Subject: [msb-alumni] Re: Celebrity and Schools for the Blind
Hey Marrk, I heard that Stevie was on the road a lot while at the school.
I’ve also heard that he offered free tickets to his concerts to MSB and noone
took them. I only mention that because I wonder if the bond between him and the
school was different than ours.
From: Mark Martin
Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2016 1:11 AM
To: MSB Alumni
Subject: [msb-alumni] Celebrity and Schools for the Blind
I got to thinking about how many schools for the blind can boast of an
alumnus as well known as Stevie? I can think of a couple of others, Ronnie
Milsap from the Governor Morehead School in North Carolina, and Ray Charles
from Florida. How supportive have they been? Personally I don't know. Those
of you who apparently track these things could perhaps fill us in! Maybe this
would give you the satisfaction in knowing they have been more supportive of
their schools, or maybe they have done no better. We here in Michigan have
nothing left to support. I actually don't know the status of Florida and North
Carolina. We have two Christmas concerts with Stevie singing solos. How many
schools for the blind can lay claim to that, and how about Stevie writing one
of his best known songs right there on our campus! "My Cherie Amour" reached
the number 4 position on the national Billboard charts in 1969. What is behind
this anyway? Envy? Jealousy? Why hasn't Stevie obtained a car for _me! After
all, I shared the same campus with him! Better yet, I was in the same classroom
with him a few times! Personally, I know he owes me absolutely nothing. Would
you be willing to trade your freedom to come and go in public without being
harassed for your autograph, pound of flesh and whatever else? Oh yeah! the
money would be great but I don't know about the rest for me. A number of years
ago I was sent to and ear specialist in Lapeer, and somehow the subject of MSB
and the fact that Stevie Wonder had graduated from there was discussed. This
really interested the doctor so upon my next visit I brought my 1969 yearbook
so he could see Stevie there. The guy went nearly nuts for a couple of minutes
and really appreciated me showing me that book and showed it off to some of his
staff. What is it that makes some of us blind folks so critical! Is it the
high rate of unemployment or what? We have someone in our alumni that few
other schools for the blind can claim.
Mark Martin, 73.
