Bill Withers – Grandma’s Hands
*Some songs don’t fade. They just find new ways to reach us. Bill Withers‘ “Grandma’s Hands” has lived in the collective soul of music lovers since 1971, a tender acoustic meditation on the woman who shaped him.
Now, more than five decades later, that song has become something new: a children’s book. And the women who knew Bill best are bringing it to life.
On Friday, April 17, at 12:00 PM ET, Bill’s wife, Marcia Withers, and their daughter, Kori Withers, will appear at Barnes & Noble on Fifth Avenue (555 Fifth Avenue at 46th Street) in New York City for a special book signing of Grandma’s Hands.
This is not a drill. And it’s not just a book. It’s a passing of the torch.
From Song to Page
Originally featured on Withers’ debut album Just As I Am, “Grandma’s Hands” captures the comfort, security, and unconditional love he found in his grandmother’s embrace. With soulful simplicity, Withers painted a portrait of a woman whose hands clapped in church, soothed his fears, and reached out to a world in need.
Now, multiple award-winning artist R. Gregory Christie has transformed that portrait into vibrant illustrations, transporting readers back in time to experience Bill’s childhood through color and line.
The result is a children’s book published by Joel Harper’s Freedom Three Publishing that works on two levels: a gentle bedtime story for little ones, and a gut-punch of nostalgia for anyone who remembers the original.
It’s also, as the announcement notes, a “great gift for Mother’s Day, Grandparents Day and many other occasions.” But let’s be honest — the best gift is the music itself, now wrapped in a new package for a new generation.
Marcia and Kori Withers – Barnes & Noble Grandma’s Hands signing
More Than a Book Signing
The April 17 event is a ticketed affair — $20.68 gets you a copy of Grandma’s Hands and admission into the signing line with Marcia and Kori. Photos will be taken on attendees’ cellphones, with the authors seated behind the signing table. Late arrivals may miss their chance, so the advice is clear: show up on time.
Tickets are available now via Eventbrite, and organizers stress that non-ticketholders will not be permitted into the event space. Space is limited. If you want to be in that room, reserve your spot.
The Vinyl Revival
But the Withers family isn’t stopping at books. All nine of Bill Withers’ albums are being reissued on limited edition colored vinyl over the next two years through Music on Vinyl (Sony). For collectors and new fans alike, this is a moment.
Already released:
Making Music, Making Friends (November 14, 2025) – The 50th anniversary of his 1975 Columbia Records debut, featuring studio giants Ray Parker Jr., Harvey Mason Sr., the Brothers Johnson, and Motown arranger Paul Riser. Includes new liner notes by Grammy-winning producer Leo Sacks.
Just As I Am (February 6, 2026) – Withers’ debut, featuring “Grandma’s Hands” and “Ain’t No Sunshine.” Grammy winner for Best R&B Song in 1972. Ranked #304 on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Albums of All Time. Includes an essay by writer and civil rights activist Kevin Powell.
Still Bill (March 27, 2026) – His most celebrated release, featuring “Lean on Me” and “Use Me.” Ranked #333 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Includes a reflective poem by Kevin Powell.
That’s a lot of vinyl for a man who once walked away from it all. But Bill Withers was never about the machine. He was about the feeling. And these releases — like the book — are about preserving that feeling for people who weren’t even born when “Lean on Me” first hit the airwaves.
Kori Withers – screenshot
Kori Withers Takes the Stage
Three days after the book signing, on Monday, April 20, Kori Withers will perform at the NYC benefit gala for SAY (Stuttering Association for the Young). The organization, which supports young people who stutter, was deeply important to Bill, who struggled with stuttering until early adulthood. Marcia Withers serves on the board. Fox TV host Meredith Vieira serves as Co-Chairperson.
It’s a fitting tribute. Bill Withers found his voice despite the odds. Now his family is helping others do the same.
How to Be There
The Barnes & Noble signing takes place Friday, April 17 at 12:00 PM ET at 555 Fifth Avenue (46th Street), New York, NY. Tickets are available via Eventbrite. Don’t wait — space is limited, and this is the kind of event that sells out.
For those who can’t attend, the book and the vinyl are available online. But if you can be there? Stand in that line. Meet the women who loved Bill Withers. Hold a copy of Grandma’s Hands in yours.
Some songs don’t fade. They just find new hands to hold them.
Tickets: www.Eventbrite.com | More information: Barnes & Noble Fifth Avenue | Bill Withers vinyl reissues: Music on Vinyl (Sony)
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