You know those people who are (semi) professional singers/ actors/ actresses/ performers who sing all loud and dramatically in Church? Yeah, I find it pretty obnoxious. You’re not on stage or at an audition, so tone it down a bit, wouldja? And seriously, we all know you’re into performing. No need to brag or marvel at the sound of your own voice. Please stop immediately. Learn to blend in a bit.
…
Sing out pretty, and sing out clear, But you’re not the only one I wanna hear!
…
PS: I am friends with plenty of musical/theater people who don’t do this. They know when to turn on the Broadway, and when to be more subtle. This isn’t a diss to those kind of people. Just a diss to the annoying people.
Yes they do! These boys are the REAL DEAL. Ain’t no sell-outs wearing cowboy hats singing with some ugly fake twang (I ain’t naming names, but ya’ll know who I’m talkin’ ’bout) . Expect to hear more about ZBB on this blog. The night I saw them in concert with Renae was one that has influenced me to this day. Don’t know where to start musically because it’s ALL amazing, but here’s an all-time favorite:
(best part is 3:00-3:30)
Seriously, that voice gives me chills, and it’s even BETTER in person.
Great memories 🙂 Of the concert, and also of my hair looking that beautiful.
No beatin’ around the bush on that title (figuratively OR literally)! I had my NEW friend Kemp and my OLD friend Carlos help me out. Check it stat (and please excuse my being a little dance happy. I’m not as smooth/subtle as my friends):
And if you think that was entertaining (probably mainly because Katherine was making a fool of herself), it actually wasn’t anything compared to what these guys can do for real. Here’s just a taste of their INSANE TALENT. And yes Mom, the following is improvised.
(I changed the gender pronouns. I do that kind of thing a lot.)
Readers, what do you think?
PS. Wayne, I love and respect you no matter what (not really, but just didn’t want to come off as judgmental and also wanted to soften this next part), BUT your body is a temple…why would you want to put graffiti on it? Join the LDS Church and I’ll help you pay to get rid of those tats (but readers FYI you don’t have to do that if you want to become a Mormon-just thought I’d clear that up)…
PS I appreciate these songs for their honesty and even finding gentle humor in controversy. However, I’m not into music that glorifies certain things, say immorality, drugs, violence, or suicide. Fine line of propriety again.
I was just 18 when I recorded this. It was a pretty cool experience at a time in my life when I needed expression and creativity (kinda like now!). There is a tension, though, as I wanted to sound stylish and slur my words just a little, but then that is at the sacrifice of enunciation. The Sophie’s choice of singing, I guess. Take a listen:
Oh, and here’s the email that my guitar teacher, Frank Keim sent me. I feel comfortable sharing his contact info because he IS still in business.
I wouldn’t be the musician that I am today without him. Truth!
These guys Dan & Ben Tenglesen are from BYU (made it big in Guitars Unplugged) and are SO talented. This is such a great song. Even if you don’t usually listen to music I post, don’t miss this one. I’m talking to you, Tricia Thomas!
The following song is of course not Mormon, but I adore it as it speaks in eloquent Biblical poetry (written by Bob Dylan!) of Christ, hope, salvation, redemption, and joy. Also, the song itself is in no way sacrificed at the expense of quality music. In other words, the lyrics don’t stand alone (this is very, very important to me)! Listen to it please:
Oh, ring them bells for the blind and the deaf Oh, ring them bells for all of us who are left Oh, ring them bells for the chosen few Who will judge the many when the game is through…
So yes, I feel at peace with this song(and some select others as well)on Sundays,
although it is not standardized in theLDS hymnbook.
If thou are merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of Thanksgiving.
Just so you know, I am cautious about this line of propriety. I (usually) don’t perform on Sundays, and I also am not going to any Marilyn Manson concerts on Sunday (or ever). Furthermore, I am careful in helping my friends and neighbors feel comfortable with the sweet melodies I play and the words that spill from my honey lips.
READERS!
What kind of music do you find (in)appropriate for Sabbath worship?
Ring them bells St. [K]atherine from the top of the room…
Don’t think I didn’t catch that reference, Mindy! Nothing flies past my Natasha radar. Haha, she inspires a lot of us I guess 🙂 I’m not too familiar with your stuff, but I guess I’ll have to check it out sometime….and I’m TOTES up for collaboration. Just sayin’
(that’s not really my goal, anyways), but if I ever do achieve any level of fame, it won’t be because I’m showing lots of skin, know what I mean? No judgment intended for other artists, but this girl is talented/classy enough to keep her clothes on and still connect with people. And that’s just how it is.
I have seen Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband in concert three times. They are excellent musicians, creative songwriters and also very, very funny guys. I distinctly remember Ryan saying that this song was inspired by text message exchanges between himself and his wife. Awesome! So that’s just another plug for what I talked about earlier concerning saving your text-messages. Who knows, maybe you have a great hit in the making. Do it, ya’ll!
(me and my girls with some of the boys from the band)
And I know I should let the song speak for itself, but I just can’t help but give a little commentary. First of all, the chord structure is the same as Cannon. And I’m loving the trumpets/brassy sound of it all. And finally the lyrics? So cute 🙂
has never sung the melody to the hymns in Sacrament Meeting in her life! She’s just too musical and aware of harmonies that she couldn’t even if you paid her. And from time to time, she’s even sung harmony to rap songs. True story.
Even if you are slouching, look a little like an equestrian, and have navy blue tights instead of black because you got dressed in a hurry, it was still a good day 🙂
True story. Probz should have actually cleaned myself up a little, huh? Oh well. Ya’ll know I’m beautiful, even if not everyday. But I digress. This kid Oba is the real deal.
And boy can break it DOWN!
This stuff is good enough to be on the radio. Too good. Puts Chris Brown and Jason DeRulo to shame. This song is another literary gem, teachers. Can you believe this kid is giving up music for 2 years to go on an LDS mission? Now THAT’S dedication. You know homeboy will be winning Grammys in no time when he gets back. Oba if you ask really nice, I GUESS I’ll be your date although it’s such a terrible bother to get a pretty dress and have your makeup and hair all done up and stuff….. 🙂
Gender confusion?
And he liked some of my Natasha mash-up ideas. DON’T HATE THAT!
#those drinks are “Arizona” brand, but they’re not tea! Promise!
I am a better singer than Taylor Swift (whom I absolutely ADORE by the way), and my guitar skills are prob about the same if not better. Other than the whole song-writing thing (I merely dabble while girlfriend churns out hit after hit), why am I not selling out world tours? Taylor rocks it to millions……..
and Katherine just sits in the woods and plays to the trees 🙂
#kinda kidding, kinda not…
#couldn’t we have photoshopped out that weed so you could see my fingers better?
#I still wanna share a stage with Natasha Bedingfield…
Just giving an impromptu serenade to the nice folks making my feet pretty 🙂
#i sure have that beautiful chocolate man’s attention, don’t I? 🙂
#natashabedingfield #whoelse? #signaturesong
there is a video but I can’t figure out how to embed it quite yet. So here’s a screen-shot….hopefully I can get someone to help me embed it soon..to be continued