Dr. Willie Long traveled from student to major in the Army to director of disabled student support services at Midlands Tech to entertainer. Columbia native Dr. Willie Long has business cards that say “Singer” on them.

Considering the disastrous beginnings to his musical career, you know there has to be a story behind it.

At the age of 17, Long moved to New York “to try to make it in the big time.” He decided to compete in the amateur portion of “Showtime” at the Apollo in New York City. Long said he can’t remember his song choice (“something that had the words, ‘you’re standing right there’”), but it didn’t go as well as expected – to say the least.

“I got booed right off the stage,” Long recalled. “Didn’t even finish the song. I really had no idea what I was doing.”

It was a devastating moment for a young man just starting out his life. But Long put that experience in the back of his mind, as if to say, “I’ll take care of that later,” and made a life (or two) for himself.

He graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, got an undergraduate degree in rehabilitation counseling from Paine College in Augusta, and received a master’s and doctorate degree from the University of South Carolina.

He completed a 20–year stint in the Army, where he climbed the ranks from private to major, followed by another 20–year career as the director of disabled student support services at Midlands Tech.

In his retirement, Long and his wife of 28 years, Peggy, also retired from teaching, enjoyed traveling, singing, and bowling in a league at Royal Z lanes on Two Notch Road, where he consistently rolls a 170. He has remained active in his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, and is getting his 40–year pin next month.

Long, now 72, said he has always felt blessed throughout his life, but there was still that last piece of unfinished business. He again entered the amateur competition at the Apollo, 45 years after that thwarted performance. He was more than prepared.

“I was ready to get my revenge,” he said. “I’m kidding. I just knew I could win that thing.”

That night, the Apollo was “jam– packed,” Long remembered, with about 2,000 people, and he was competing against about 10 other aspiring entertainers including “a cute little girl who could really belt it out.” Nothing was mentioned about his decades–ago debacle on that same venue.

After bantering a bit with host Rudy Rush, Long moved to center stage to sing “16 Candles,” which he dedicated to “all the ladies out there who have birthdays.”

He killed it.

Long not only made it through the song, he dominated the evening, and took home the grand prize, a home entertainment center. Vindication was his, and the notoriety was instrumental in Long recording a CD of his favorite “oldies but goodies,” which includes “Georgia,” “Earth Angel,” “What a Wonderful World,” and other classics. These days, he performs at weddings, parties, churches, and senior centers all over the state, and enjoys spending time with Peggy, his daughter, Nieka, her husband, and his first granddaughter.

And while he doesn’t seem to dwell on the journey that brought him first to his knees and then standing tall in triumph, the lesson is quietly delivered in the first statement on his CD liner notes: “A testament to the adage, ‘Good things come to those who wait (and persevere).’”

Anyone wishing to order a CD from Long can call him at 787-1823.