The Man Behind the Moment

Luther Vandross's performance of "One Shining Moment" is played at the end of the NCAA finals to make viewers teary-eyed, and the world has songwriter David Barrett to thank, reports the Fayetteville Observer. Barrett wrote the song after attempting to win over a waitress by discussing the greatness of Larry Bird. She was not impressed.

Barrett's friend Armen Keteyian, then with Sports Illustrated, leaked the song to CBS, and the song debuted in 1987, originally the version sung by Barrett himself. The performer kvells: "I’m flattered because it’s every songwriter’s dream to write something that takes wings and is meaningful to people.” (More 2008 NCAA Tournament stories.)