Deseret Books Mormon Night at Dodger's Stadium

A couple days ago I got my letter that states that I will not be one of the finalists for the National Anthem in LA for the Deseret Book's Mormon Night at Dodger's Stadium in August. I was thrilled that I made it through the qualifying round, but I will not be going any further then that.

I know that many people would expect me to be disappointed, and I know others that are disappointed that I am not one of the finalists, but I wanted to point something out to you guys.

As you all know, the economy is a bit difficult right now, and this competition is set up differently then I thought it was from the application and other materials that I had read on it before I entered it.

From the letter that I was sent, I learned that there will be 6 chosen to go to Dodger's Stadium, and then the winner will be announced there, and they will get to sing. I know what my personal situation is. I just started a new job and it would have only been worth going to LA if I knew that I was 'the one'. The reason being that the winner gets prize money that would have off set the cost of going. I know that there are other cash prizes as well, but it just would not have been worth it to me personally to have taken that financial risk, plus the date the performance is on is also the same day that I would have been in teacher training for my other job that will start this fall.

I do love to sing, and I am glad that there are so many that do appreciate it, but for some time, it has not been the center of my life. My family has been, and I have sung for church and political events. I like it that way. I like my freedom. I entered because I was encouraged to do so, and would have gone through with it, but only if it was clear to me that it was what God wanted me to do.

There was a time when I knew singing was exactly that, and then later it was clear to me that working with grassroots politics was what He wanted me to do. Educating my children at home for 3 years was also one of those things that was clear to me. Now it is having them attend the private school that they love, and sacrificing so that they can. I feel a strong desire at this time to provide for and to protect my children, to make sure that even though I am in school and now working, that they are safe, feel loved, and are able to still have their testimonies develop. With the world we live in, that is essential for them.

I look forward to the day when I am able to have saved enough and have rebuilt all that I have lost in storage, that I can go back home and be there for them. And the job that I have now, that is the way that can happen, and although it is difficult to work full time and go to school full time, I know that there are blessings in this.

So, those of you who are feeling bummed out that I did not go on further, it is ok, really it is. I really do not need the praise of the world to be happy. :)

A Moment of Reflection

With the news of my making it through the first qualifying round for the Deseret Book 'Mormon Night" competition, it has brought back memories of one of my performances in Branson Missouri at the Tri-Lakes Center.

Many of you will remember that night too because you were there. I sang the National Anthem then as well. I shared the stage that night with Congressman Ron Paul, State Representative Jim Guest, and Candidate Jeremy Cady. It is definitely a night I will not forget. Jeremy's speech was very moving, and the energy there contagious.



What I also remember is my friend Stephanie helping me get ready and making sure that every little detail was taken care of. Her husband Michael filmed the event for me, and did a very good job considering the size of the crowd.

That night, prior to performing, I also introduced Sarah Steelman, who was running for Missouri State Governor at the time, to many in the crowd that I had met over the months previously at several events. It was a time in my life that so much was happening in my life that I never had imagined ever being part of. I am so glad that I was.

I wish I still had that video to share with you all, especially Jeremy's speech, but it was lost when my youtube account was deleted. I have a new one now, but I hope that I can find someone else that has them.

Here's to remembering great times, with great friends.

Charity Angel Flies Through First Qualifying Round

Charity Angel Flies Through First Qualifying Round

Independent Christian singer Charity Angel has made it through the first qualifying round for Deseret Book's "Mormon Night" competition to sing the National Anthem at Dodger's Stadium in LA on August 6th.

"This is a pleasant surprise," Charity Angel stated as she excitedly showed her family her name on the list of those who made it through the first round. "I am number 30 out of 250." Charity then started to text some of her friends and extended family with the news. "I have to let the bishop know that I made it this far." She stated, as she selected another recipient.

The Deseret Book 'Mormon Night' competition will narrow it down to Fifty semi-finalist's for a round in Salt Lake City Utah or LA in July, and only one will go on to perform the National Anthem in Los Angelos at the Dodger's Stadium on August 6.

When asked about how she would feel if she didn't make it pass this point, Charity replied, "I am just thankful to have made it to this point. I understand how tough the competition is, when I was in the top 40 for Ozark's Idol in Missouri, the competition was tough, but it was a great experience. I look forward to where ever this takes me."

Charity just recently returned to Utah in March of this year, the previous 6 years she lived in Missouri, which she states that she loved it there. Charity released her first CD shortly after moving to Missouri called "Only Prayers Away". Her songs did really well when they were first released on independent internet music sites. Some of them even made it to the number 1 and number 2 position on the charts on several websites. There are only a few copies of her first CD left that are still available to the public.

You can hear her two A Capella entries for the competition in the player below:

From Deseret Book:

Over 500 entries were received, 250 listed qualified for the first round. Letters are being mailed out to notify those participants who have been selected by our professional panel of judges to compete in a semi-final round.

My song Charting

Hey everyone, it has been a very long time since I kept track of how my songs are tracking. Here is the highest charting my songs held formerly:


A Moment in Time
# 14 in Country. Total songs: 44,027
# 2 in Christian Country. Total songs: 5,500

In Whom I Have Trusted
# 419 in Pop. Total songs: 100,934
# 88 in Contemporary Christian. Total songs: 12,493

Just a Little Girl
# 210 in Country. Total songs: 44,027
# 39 in Christian Country. Total songs: 5,500

Love IS Medley
# 28 in Classical. Total songs: 28,067
# 7 in Contemporary. Total songs: 6,109

My Lord, My God
# 39 in Country. Total songs: 44,027
# 8 in Christian Country. Total songs: 5,500

Only Prayers Away
# 322 in Country. Total songs: 44,027
# 74 in Christian Country. Total songs: 5,500

Standing on the Outside
# 19 in Pop. Total songs: 100,934
# 1 in Contemporary Christian. Total songs: 12,493

I now have some songs that are starting to hit the charts, and as of today, this is where they are:

Though I Stumble and Fall
# 302 in Pop (highest position was 173). Total songs: 100,934
# 51 in Contemporary Christian (highest position was 32). Total songs: 12,493


The Star Spangled Banner
# 424 in Acoustic (highest position was 424). Total songs: 119,999
# 64 in Acoustic Vocals (highest position was 64). Total songs: 7,765

Daddy
# 985 in Country (highest position was 372). Total songs: 44,027
# 159 in Christian Country (highest position was 66). Total songs: 5,500

I Feel My Saviors Love
# 3,048 in World (highest position was 27). Total songs: 55,378
# 722 in World General (highest position was 4). Total songs: 14,181

Please help my songs rise in the charts by using the wiget below to listen:

Remembering the Springfield Missouri Nationwide Tea Party

So, when my life blew up, I deleted my entire YouTube account. I have decided to go ahead and remix some things and post them again. Hope you enjoy them!