Back in February, I was delighted to see the great soul man Solomon Burke at Duke, a show that stands as my favorite feel-good event of this year. But a terrific bonus was Burke's co-stars on the bill, Dixie Hummingbirds, featuring the great Ira Tucker -- who passed on this week at age 83. Even having lost a step, Tucker cut an imposing figure onstage; all he had to do was raise the microphone, and he had everyone's rapt attention. It felt like a real honor to see him, even moreso now.

As I've always said, you can't go wrong if you always adhere to The Solomon Burke Rule.