Meet Old Man River

At the St. Paul missionary Baptist church in Memphis, 76-year-old Jim Hyter sings through his repertoire, CBS News Correspondent Harry Smith reports.

The retired insurance man has a voice that at once can rattle the foundation of a building -- and lift your spirits at the same time.

Hyter, known to Much of Memphis as "Old Man River," may very well be the most beloved person in this city.

With 21 years in a row with the Memphis symphony behind him, tens of thousands of people crowd the banks of the Mississippi to hear him sing for which he was nicknamed.

Why does he do it?

"No one knows the feeling I get to see those people reach out for each others hands, or lock arms swinging for a common cause -- black and white," he says.

One year he sang twelve encores. They wouldn't let him sit down.

He says he only wishes his parents and grandparents could have lived to witness his success.

Not long ago, Hyter announced that his professional singing career was coming to an end. He thought that perhaps he had sung the anthem enough. But judging from the reaction of the crowd when he begins his tune -- he was wrong.

Next year when the symphony sets up on the banks of the great river they will surely play the song.

Will Hyter be back to sing it?

"I will sing as long as it means something to this community," he says.

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