SINGING STEWARD: “I just want to sing for the world,” Burnt Pine Club server says (PHOTOS and VIDEO)

Diners at Sandestin’s exclusive Burnt Pine Club often find themselves treated to more than one of the club’s buffet meals.

Jerry Taylor has worked for Sandestin for 13 years, beginning as a cook at Burnt Pine when it was a little shack alongside the golf course. He then moved up to steward at the iconic Elephant Walk restaurant, now known as Finz.

One night while behind the bar at Elephant Walk, he began singing along with the band.

“I didn’t know they could hear me,” he says now with a chuckle, “but when the band finished the song, one of the guys said, ‘whoever is at the bar singing, come on up and join us on the next set.’ So, I went up and joined them.”

_____

To watch a video of Jerry bursting into song, click here.

_____

After that, Taylor’s singing became a regular occurrence as he jostled tending bar, stewarding and joining in to sing with the band.

He now works full time at Burnt Pine and there is no band. However, in between serving meals and stewarding, Taylor finds time to entertain the guests, many of whom often have special requests. Usually those requests include a Temptations special, which are his favorites.

From the middle of the large room Taylor becomes the center of attention when he breaks into song with his renditions of “My Girl,” “History,” or “It’s Just My Imagination.”

“Our members come here to eat with Jerry in mind,” said dining room manager Lee Browning, “and they request his tables. He is definitely a draw and an asset to the dining experience here.”

Sandestin Marketing Director Laurie Hobbs agrees. “You can see the dedication, commitment and enthusiasm he brings to his job,” she said, “and he is one reason our members and their guests choose to dine here.”

At weddings and special events held at the club or Finz, if Taylor is working the event, he often sings a special song for the bride and then turns and sings one for the family.

Even though he has been singing all his life at church and at school, most of his public singing has occurred while at Sandestin.

The Memphis native worked as a nurse’s aide in Tennessee. When he needed a change, he spent many years in New Orleans working at a shipyard on boats, cleaning oil rig pipes. As a welder shopper, he drove a truck for a chemical supply company, for an aircraft company, and did landscaping.

When he is serving others and has the opportunity to sing, Taylor said he is happiest.

“I just want to sing for the world,” he said with a big smile and swing of his arms.