Book by former TCU football player honors Cliburn winner who shocked the world

In 2016, J.W. Wilson and his wife Andrea were attending a charity event. One of the silent auction items, which they won, involved a cellist coming to the winner’s home to give a private performance.

“When she arrived months later, a unique lady with pink hair and a very seasoned cello showed up,” Wilson recalled. “As she performed, the room was mesmerized by her deeply emotional and gorgeous music we heard.

“Afterward, I asked who she was, and she told me a story.”

That cellist was Dace Abele, the widow of young Soviet piano prodigy Alexei Sultanov.

“I then invited her to coffee the next week where she detailed her story, at which point I asked if she would consider letting me write this story,” Wilson said.

Nine years later in 2025, TCU Press published “A Final Encore,” Wilson’s third book. It unveils the life of Sultanov, his upbringing behind the Iron Curtain, studying at the Moscow Conservatory, and his wild romance with Abele.

At 19, Sultanov found his opportunity to leave the Soviet Union for the United States to compete in the 1989 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth. He shocked the world and won.

However, Sultanov could not cope with the success accompanying his victory. He suffered a series of strokes, leaving him partially paralyzed and no longer able to play the piano.

Through rehabilitation and support from Abele, he returned to play, but his time on the world stage was over. He died in 2005 at his home in Fort Worth, one year after he became an American citizen. He was 35.

“The story is incredible in all the ways. I was just lucky to get to tell it,” Wilson said.

Jon Wilcox and his wife Susan have hosted participants in the Cliburn competitions, including Sultanov.

“This book provides another connection to an artist whose career was much shorter than we had hoped for,” Wilcox said. “To us the book explains the life and death struggle behind the creation of music.”

Wilson told Sultanov’s story through the eyes of many of the pianist’s loved ones and friends. Among those closest to Sultanov was Denise Mullins, his Cliburn manager.

“It gives great insight into the world of performing artists, their challenges, their difficulties and their triumphs,” Mullins said.

‘Great justice’ to Alexei Sultanov

Abele remembered of meeting Wilson.

“He was so fascinated with the different stories,” she said. “He said to me enthusiastically, ‘I want to write a book!’” Abele remembered of meeting Wilson. “He did such great justice to Alexei with the way he told the story.”

Abele said she could tell quickly when she arrived to play for Wilson and Andrea that this was not just another performance.

“I finished and he asked if I’d keep playing. He added another hour,” she said. “I was happy to. It led to something special.”

She recalled the day she got her copy of the book.

“Life goes on, of course, but memories stay with us. When I received the book I said to myself, ‘It really did happen,’” she said. “I am so proud to see Alexei’s story down on paper.

“Now, sometimes when I perform somebody will say to me, ‘I read the book and it’s amazing how incredibly realistic it is.”

TCU 1988 Sun Bowl victory a turning point

Wilson is a Fort Worth native and graduate of TCU. He was a nose tackle on the Horned Frogs football team, enduring one of the worst seasons in school history (1-11 in 1997) before experiencing a magical turnaround under new head coach Dennis Franchione in 1998.

Wilson noted that it’s special to him that the Horned Frogs wrapped up this season against USC in the Alamo Bowl. They defeated the Trojans in the 1998 Sun Bowl, 28-19, to finish a 7-5 season.

He compares the Horned Frogs’ victory to his own life, the beginning of an upward projection that propelled them to long-term national respect and himself to a powerful business career.

“It was and remains incredibly special to those that were part of that Sun Bowl team,” he said. “People still today talk about how the Sun Bowl team marks the turning point in the football program.”

The success of TCU football has grown substantially, including a 13-0 season and No. 2 national ranking in 2010 and playing for a national championship in 2023. However, Wilson said that win over USC proved to the college football world that they belonged.

“There have been many teams after us that were more accomplished, but it is amazing to know we had a part in the resurrection of TCU football,” he said.

Wilson said that time taught him many things he employs today in business and life.

“I have a hard time taking no for an answer and have always believed in finding creative ways to make difficult things work,” he said. “I have utilized my TCU network so many times, which has been a big part of my success.”

Wilson remains heavily involved with TCU. He serves on the board of directors for the TCU Board of Visitors-College of Fine Arts. He co-owns Roxo Media House, which produces “Frogs Today,” covering every sport TCU offers. He hires many TCU students as interns.

He hosts the weekly streaming “State of the Frogs” with football coach Sonny Dykes. Roxo Media House has partnered with the TCU’s Ralph Lowe Energy Institute for media projects. They produce Chancellor Daniel Pullin’s podcast called “Only Here.”

“I am a longtime supporter of every sport on campus. I have numerous friendships with many of the leaders within the university,” he said.

Wilson said he has several more books in the works, with a few being fictional projects.

“Writing these books isn’t easy and it’s getting harder to find time with the pace of life,” he said. “I find time to write late in the evenings when others are asleep.

“Honestly, I am easily inspired and always am looking, which I try to use these inspirations in some of my projects.”

This story was originally published December 31, 2025 at 5:00 AM.