I first learned from Sherry Chandler that Odetta, one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century, is ill, suffering from kidney failure. An African American singer, Odetta has been called “The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement.” She sings American folk music, blues, jazz, and spirituals (see more).

Here are some clips of Odetta earlier this year.

In February,

and again in April

It is Odetta’s wish to sing at Barack Obama’s Inauguration in January. An official statement was released on behalf of Odetta’s adopted daughter Michelle Esrick and her niece Jan Ford that states, “Odetta believes she is going to sing at Obama’s Inauguration, and I believe that is the reason she is still alive. She has a big poster of Barack Obama taped on the wall across from her bed. Her old heart has already outperformed and lasted far beyond the expectations of the heart specialists who treated her in January-March 2007 when she had her last health crisis while touring out West. Now compounded with the kidney failure, the doctors at the hospital are trying to do everything possible to stabilize her system and prevent the weakening of her other organs. They have her on dialysis now to rid the body of the toxic poisons that have built up, and it seems to be slowly working. She is sleeping a lot, but after a dialysis treatment and some food, she is coherent and talking. She is not in pain. We are told that she will be in the ICU Unit for at least another week, and that we’ll just have to wait and see after that.” (read more)

Please pray with me that Odetta will be able to live to see Obama as President and to sing for that historic event.