Middletown man’s music ministry spans 45 years

Church to celebrate John Burg’s contributions.

He was 5 years old, and despite a plea from Emyrtle Bennett, choir director at United Missionary Baptist Church in Middletown, John Burg wasn’t about to start singing.

“That’s for girls,” Burg remembered thinking.

But his mother, Claudia Burg-Jones, sitting next to her son in the church pew, had a different plan. She reached over, grabbed his ear, twisted it, and demanded: “Get up there now.”

That was 45 years ago, and Burg now admits: “Thank God for my mom.”

His mother, contacted at her home in Maryland, laughed when she was asked about that church conversation.

“That’s right,” she said, recalling the story. “He has a beautiful voice. John was gifted when he was born.”

The 68-year-old mother paused, then added: “I was correct.”

Anyone who has ever heard Burg sing, or play the organ, certainly would agree with his mother.

Since 1971, Burg has entertained church-goers, concert crowds, festival attendees, anyone who ever asked for him to perform.

“I do it all for God,” said Burg, who has served as minister of music at several area churches, including Faith Fellowship Church on South Main Street, and lives in Middletown with his wife, Rachelle.

On Friday, Tried Stone Baptist Church, 621 Lafayette Ave., will host a celebration to mark Burg’s 45 years in the music ministry. The event is sold out and no one will be admitted without a ticket, said Pat Herndon, secretary at Faith Fellowship Church.

Bishop Donald Clay, director of the 8,000-member Petra International Ministries in Pittsburgh, will be the guest master of ceremony. Burg said people will be impressed by Clay, “a dynamic pastor.” Clay began his career at United Missionary Baptist Church.

When Burg was 5, his first song was “Take Me Back,” he said. Eventually, Burg took piano lessons from Hazel Howard, and after she passed away about six months later, her son, Taylor “Butch” Howard, took over the lessons. When Burg refused to read music, instead playing by ear, Burg said he was “fired” by Howard.

Burg once competed and won the television talent show “Star Search” that was hosted by Ed McMahon as announcer. He has performed ever since, but even though he’s a veteran, Burg says he still gets nervous every time.

He’s not about to stop performing now. Burg, the father of four grown sons, Chris, Prentice, Jeremiah and Zach, feels better, stronger today than he did 20 years ago, he said.

“I feel like I’m starting over,” said Burg, who’s recording several of his favorite cover tunes in hopes of selling enough CDs to finance a CD of his original music. “It’s like I’m kind of renewing my mind and body.”

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