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Singer John Legend a greeting card writer?

Grammy winner and his father produce cards to honor dads, other ‘men of impact.’

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By Andrew McGinn, Staff Writer 10:07 AM Friday, June 19, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — Behind every Legend is a dad.

And in time for Father’s Day, John Legend and his dad, Springfield portrait artist Ron Stephens, have joined forces to give Hallmark a run for its money.

They’ve collaborated on a series of locally produced cards to honor dads and other “men of impact.”

The oversized cards — you get a pack of three for $30 — feature a collage of Stephens’ art out front.

Known for his pencil portraits, Stephens has rounded up a who’s who of iconic male leaders for the front of the cards — everybody from Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy to Martin Luther King Jr. and President Barack Obama. (It might just be the first time Malcolm X has been featured on a Father’s Day card.)

One card is blank on the inside and the other two feature poems by Stephens and his Grammy-winning son.

Legend wrote his quickly. Kind of.

“It didn’t take him as long as it took to get him to write it,” Stephens said.

To order, call Stephens at (937) 342-0341.

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