Music

As wedding season 2024 approaches, brides everywhere will be considering first songs, and the beautiful love song titled “Nothing New (I Do)” by Brandon Lake and friends deserves serious consideration.

In this gorgeous, romantic video, real-life husband and wife Brandon and Brittany Lake give viewers a glimpse of their love. Married on February 5, 2011, the couple has been married for just over thirteen years. 

The song, written by Brandon Lake, Mia Fieldes, Hank Bentley, Cody Carnes, and Jacob Sooter, is performed here by Brandon, and Brittany sings along during choruses. 

Filmed in black and white, the video depicts the couple’s wedding day. We see two dresses hung and worn by Mrs. Lake during the video. One is a white peasant dress with puffy sleeves; she wears a wreath of delicate flowers in her hair with that dress. The other is a strapless dress with a lace corset. With this gown, Brittany wears her long locks in an ornate clip. She looks stunning in both.

Brandon, dressed primarily in a black suit coat, plays and sings at the piano. At other times, he wears a casual, loose, light-colored shirt as he and his bride dance together. White candles light the room, and the couple embraces, smiles, and whispers secrets to one another. They are a vision of what married love should be.

Here are four lines from the chorus of “Nothing New (I Do):”

From the dawn to the dusk of my days

From the depths of my soul

And with all of my strength

Here is my heart in just one phrase      

Brandon and Brittany have three sons. They are Beau, Michael Blaise, and Banner Brave. 

In celebration of the couple’s tenth anniversary, Brandon released Almond Eyes. Almond Eyes is the first extended play by the singer, songwriter, guitarist, and worship pastor. He released the EP on February 5, 2021, without any advance marketing or promotion to ensure it came as an anniversary surprise for Brittany. 

Marriage is an incredible gift from God. May we all treasure and protect it just as Brandon and Brittany Lake appear to! 

“Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives,” 1 Peter 3:1

A delightful a cappella cover of ‘Take It Easy’ by the Eagles will sure to have you humming the tune! In a mesmerizing display of musical prowess, The Virginia Gentlemen from the University of Virginia have once again captivated audiences with their delightful rendition of 'Take It Easy' by The Eagles.

 Clad in their signature bow ties, black blazers, and white pants, these talented gentlemen took to the stage in a performance that was nothing short of spectacular. With their harmonious voices blending seamlessly together, they transported listeners back to the golden era of the song, infusing it with a fresh energy and charm that left the audience spellbound!

Listening to 'Take It Easy' performed as a cappella is a truly unique experience that elevates the timeless classic to new heights. Stripped of instrumental accompaniment, the focus shifts entirely to the rich harmonies and vocal dynamics of the Virginia Gentlemen, allowing the soulful country essence of the song to shine through in its purest form. 

Each vocal layer adds depth and texture, creating a captivating auditory tapestry that draws listeners in and holds them spellbound. The absence of instruments highlights the raw emotion and sheer talent of these incredible gentlemanly singers, transforming the familiar melody into a breathtaking vocal masterpiece. Hearing 'Take It Easy' as a cappella is not just a musical experience; it's a journey that celebrates the power and versatility of the human voice, leaving a wild impression on all who have the privilege of listening.

Experiencing the incredible performance of 'Take It Easy' by The Virginia Gentlemen as a cappella serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact of music on our lives. As we revel in the harmonious melodies and soul-stirring vocals, we are reminded of the beauty and wonder of the gift of music bestowed upon us by our Creator God.

 Music has the remarkable ability to break boundaries, uplift spirits, and unite hearts in a shared celebration of joy and harmony. Amid life's challenges and uncertainties, we are blessed to find solace and inspiration in the timeless melodies, and these melodies often echo the divine presence of Christ within us. If we allow it, it can fill our lives with the transcendent beauty of music and the boundless grace of God. Truly, we are blessed to have music as a gift from God, a beacon of light that illuminates our path and fills our hearts with gratitude and joy.

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song,” Psalm 95:1-2. 

This father and daughter duo sing so well together.

Adrian and Emma-Jean Galliard of Johannesburg perform regularly at corporate and charity events as well as host soirees at their home. Emma-Jean is just 15 years old but she is beyond her years with her musical talent. She has a strong voice that pairs well with her dads. 

The two sing different genres of music, from classical to popular songs. They even have a few originals. 

On their YouTube channel, you can find songs such as ‘When I Fall In Love,’ ‘From a Distance,’ and ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina.’ In this video, they are singing ‘Up Where We Belong.’ 

‘Up Where We Belong’ was first recorded by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes for the 1982 movie, An Officer and a Gentleman. Then, in 1984, BeBe and CeCe Winans recorded a religious variation of the song.  

“Love lift us up where we belong

Where the eagles cry

On a mountain high

Love lift us up where we belong”

From just this one video you can already tell that Emma-Jean will have a long career in music. So many in the comments love the music they make together. One commenter says, “Beautiful voices harmonize together so good. Beautiful song. Love does make a big difference in lives of people and animals. God bless you.!” and another, “You blend your voices so well together - like it was meant to be! Emma-Jean is growing up before our very eyes and papa Adrian is the perfect accompaniment to complete this pairing of vocal charm! Well done as always, you two! And thanks for sharing and touching my heart yet again!”

It is lovely that a father and daughter have music in common and can work to make a career out of it using their natural talents. 

“Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.” Proverbs 17:6

There is something special about a daughter following in her father’s footsteps. 

In this video, Ashley Campbell pays tribute to her father country music legend, Glen Campbell, by singing ‘Highwayman’. She performed with Carl Jackson at Larry’s Country Diner, a variety show set in a southern eatery to pay tribute to Glen’s classic song.

Ashley Campbell, 37, is a country music singer and songwriter and the 2nd youngest child of Glen Campbell with his wife, Kimberly Woollen. Ashley and her siblings in the band Instant People performed in her father’s final concert tour, Glen Campbell: The Goodbye Tour from August 2011 to November 2012. While Ashley played the banjo and keyboards, her brother Cal was on the drums, and her brother Shannon was on the guitar. 

Ashley released her debut single, ‘Remembering’ in 2015 which is about her father, and his struggles with Alzheimer’s Disease. Her debut album, The Lonely One, came out in 2018. 

The song, ‘Highwayman’ was written by singer and songwriter Jimmy Webb, influenced by the highwayman, Jonathan Wild. The song was first recorded by Jimmy in 1977, and Glen Cambell recorded his version in 1979. 

In 1985, the new group Highwayman was formed with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson. They picked the name because of this song. 

“I was a sailor. I was born upon the tide
And with the sea I did abide.
I sailed a schooner round the Horn to Mexico
I went aloft and furled the mainsail in a blow”

This performance by Ashley would make her dad proud. She has an amazing voice and together with Carl, makes for a powerful rendition of this song. What a beautiful tribute to her father who did pass away in 2017. 

“Honor your father and your mother: and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” - Matthew 19:19 

The following lyrics are popular and catchy and are a part of this performance of an ‘I'm Into Something Good/Happy Together’ medley. 

“Me and you, and you and me
No matter how they toss the dice, it had to be
The only one for me is you, and you for me
So happy together” 

This 4-woman quartet called Spicy is performing at the 2024 Next Generation Barbershop Junior Varsity Quartet Contest in this video. This contest was presented by the Barbershop Harmony Society in New York City on January 11, 2024. 

This contest gives young singers a platform to make music together in a peer-ranked environment. All participants need to be age 18 or under. 

According to the Barbershop Harmony Society, “Barbershop is a style of arranging in close, four part, a cappella harmony; it is not an era, style of music, or genre. The melody is usually in the second voice with harmony above and below. The arranger harmonizes every melody note with few passing tones or doubles, and creates more harmonic movement by adding secondary dominant chord progressions. The baritone part functions in a unique way, filling in the missing note of each chord.”

These four young women sing a medley of ‘I'm Into Something Good/Happy Together’ and it’s lovely. Their voices flow together well and make beautiful music together. This medley is popular with Barbershop quartets. 

‘I’m Into Something Good’ was made famous by Herman’s Hermits in 1964. ‘Happy Together’ was recorded by the Turtles in 1967. Both are popular songs loved by many and are a great choice for this musical performance. 

Good luck to these young women of Spicy as they continue to make music together. 

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” - Ephesians 5:19

This cover of Elvis Presey’s ‘Fever’ will blow you away and make you look twice at this Elvis lookalike. 

Elliot James Reay brings his Elvis-like looks, strong vocals, and charm to each of his performances. 

‘Fever’ was written by Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell. The song was released in 1960 by Elvis on his Elvis is Back album. Originally ‘Fever’ was recorded by Little Willie John in 1956. Many others have covered the song including the popular version by Peggy Lee in 1958.

“Never know how much I love you
Never know how much I care
When you put your arms around me
I get a fever that's so hard to bear”

This version of ‘Fever’ has Elliot standing in front of a microphone, giving it all he's got. However, Elliot blew up on TikTok by singing covers at home, while doing normal everyday things. 

You can catch him singing ‘Great Balls of Fire’ by Jerry Lee Lewis while making coffee or ‘Pretty Woman’ by Roy Orbison while cleaning his counter. You can also find covers of songs by The Penguin and the Righteous Brothers on his YouTube channel.

Elliot doesn’t just stick to the classics. You can also find covers of more modern artists such as Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, and One Direction. However, Elvis is a favorite, not only because of how many covers he does of his but also his Elvis-like style. 

Many in the comments have much to say about this young man’s music. One commenter says, “A little bit Elvis, a little bit James Dean.” and another comments “This young man has the IT factor in spades. I would love Elliot to do JAILHOUSE ROCK. What do you think, folks?”

Clearly, he has found his audience. 

“Sing to the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.” - Psalm 98:5

In this clip from Larry’s Country Diner, we start off by watching Hannah Miller, Dan Miller’s daughter, playing the fiddle. Dan, Hannah, and Wendy Corr make up Dan Miller’s Cowboy Music Revue. They are singing a cover of Suzy Bigguss’ hit song, ‘Aces.’

Hannah starts with the vocals and her voice is mesmerizing. Dan and Wendy join in to make for a beautiful performance. 

Dan Miller’s Cowboy Music Revue has been performing around the world for 19 years. In addition to Larry’s Country Diner, they have also been featured on the Travel Channel, ESPN, and the Great American Country Network. 

After college, Dan went to LA to pursue his dreams. He found jobs in acting, radio, and television and that led to performing on stage in places like Reno and Lake Tahoe. He moved to Nashville to pursue a recording career. 

When he and his family moved to Cody, WY, he continued to host television shows. Fellow musicians from Nashville started to come and perform as part of Dan’s “Cody Wild West Shows.”

Hannah started performing on stage with her Dad at the age of six. She started to play the fiddle at the age of nine and later added her harmony vocals and became a full-fledged member of the band as well as adding in the mandolin. 

Wendy joined the band in 2008 as a bass player and harmony vocalist. She had performed in community theater productions and sang for local events. 

Larry’s Country Diner is “the wholesome, down-home, nationally-broadcasted variety show known for its spontaneity, impromptu dialogue and live-to-tape performances by the best country music artists of yesterday and today.”

The performance by Dan Miller’s Cowboy Music Revue is an example of the amazing talent you can find on Larry’s Country Diner. 

“My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to you; and my soul, which you have redeemed.” - Psalms 71:23

An incredibly talented children’s choir, the PS22 Chorus, turned in a stunning cover of a Bob Dylan classic, “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go.”

The legendary Bob Dylan is routinely considered one of the greatest songwriters ever. His voice is certainly unique and is not for everyone. However, his gift for songwriting is hard to dispute. His songs, even those decades old, continue to be performed and covered by other musicians. 

Now, the PS22 Chorus can be included in that long list of musicians who have covered and performed a tune written by Bob Dylan. In a clip posted on YouTube, the youngsters put their immense musical skills and gifts on full display when they sang out the classic from 1975. 

Of course, the classic folk song from the 70s is all about being deeply in love with another person. The lyrics paint a picture of someone so in love that they will continually long for that individual as soon as they leave. 

“Dragon clouds so high above 
I’ve only known careless love
It always just hit me from below
But this time ‘round it’s more correct”

In addition to sounding terrific, the young men and women of the PS22 Chorus seem to genuinely enjoy performing. All of them sway back and forth in their seats, some even pantomime the lyrics originally penned by Bob Dylan. 

This is far from the only song the kids have sung. On their YouTube channel are hundreds more performance videos. They have sung other classics such as “Let It Be” by The Beatles, The Beach Boys’ “Fun, Fun, Fun” and just about every Christmas tune imaginable. Plus, you never know who may pop up in their videos as the kids often sing with some of the biggest names in music.

Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”

“So darlin', darlin' stand, by me

Oh-oh stand by me
Oh stand, stand by me, stand by me”

The song, ‘Stand By Me’ is a popular song many of us know the words to. These dads make great music together as they sing ‘Stand By Me’ to their kids in this clip from Dad Harmony. 

The kids love the song as you can see from the video. The three little boys in superhero costumes dance to the song and even the baby gets in on it. The two girls on the couch also appear to be loving the song. 

‘Stand By Me’ was originally performed in 1961 by singer-songwriter Ben E. King. The song was also written by him as well as Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and together they called themselves the pseudonym, Elmo Glick. 

According to Ben E. King, the song was inspired by a spiritual song written by Sam Cooke and JW Alexander titled ‘Stand By Me Father.’

You have probably heard a cover of the song as it has been done at least 400 times over the years. 

This sweet rendition of the song sung by a bunch of dads is heartwarming to listen to. The dads all sound so good together and the kids will remember this for years to come. 

So many in the comments loved this video as they left comments such as, “ You are all such great examples of dads that care for their children. You have great talent and watching you with your children dancing and smiling is great. I hope that this carries on through their generation” and “One of my favorite songs made even better with beautiful harmonies, dancing superheroes and the beautiful smile from the young lady near the end of the video!”

“See, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” - Psalms 127:3

Four immensely gifted young men showed off their beautiful voices when they gave an outstanding and stunning a cappella rendition of The Beach Boys’ classic hit “Surfer Girl.”

The Beach Boys produced dozens of classic songs about enjoying the beach, the sun, California and the ocean. To change things, the guys from California also sang about cars. But for the most part, having “Fun, Fun, Fun” in the sun was their topic of choice. 

They say to write about what you know. In the case of The Beach Boys, I guess the same could be said about singing too, right?

In a clip posted on YouTube, a group of young men gave a stunning performance of a song from The Beach Boys about what else but the beach and the water: “Surfer Girl.” While standing in an empty stairwell, the four talented young men show off their beautiful harmonies as they belt out the lyrics to “Surfer Girl.”

“Little surfer little one
Made my heart come all undone
Do you love me, do you surfer girl
Surfer girl, my little surfer girl”

The Beach Boys are a group known the world over for their fantastic, pitch-perfect and dazzling harmonies. Mike Love, Brian Wilson and the rest of The Beach Boys had some of the best harmonies you’re likely to hear. 

No one will ever top a tune originally written and performed by The Beach Boys. They are an iconic group that has been around for decades, since the 1960s. Their tunes are still heard today, covered by other musicians and considered classics for a reason. 

But the four gentlemen in the short clip demonstrate their angelic voices, vocal skills and talent. It may not be at the level of The Beach Boys, but it’s pretty darn close!

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

The incredibly talented Kodi Lee left the studio audience and the judges stunned at his outstanding cover of Queen’s iconic hit song “Bohemian Rhapsody” on America’s Got Talent. 

There are a handful of musicians and songs so well-known and beloved that they are nearly impossible to cover. One slight screw-up, a single missed note or a flubbed lyric and everyone will instantly be able to pick up on it. For less polished and experienced performers, it may be best to stay away from songs by The Beatles, Elvis Presley or The Rolling Stones.

The iconic rock group Queen is another one of those groups so beloved and well-known that messing up one of their songs could be disastrous for a performer. However, Kodi Lee has proven that he is always up for the challenge and always rises to the occasion.

In a clip posted on YouTube, Kodi beautifully performed the song “Bohemian Rhapsody,” made famous by Queen. It’s a magical moment that leaves everyone in the room, including the judges, on their feet, giving the young a well-deserved standing ovation.

“So, you think you can stone me and spit in my eye?
So, you think you can love me and leave me to die?
Oh, baby, can’t do this to me, baby
Just gotta get out, just gotta get right outta here”

The talented musician does change the song slightly, playing with the tempo and rhythm or, as Howie Mandel called it, he “Kodified it.”

Following his performance, all four judges showered the young man with compliments. Howie and Simon Cowell both gave Kodi high praise.

“You’re a star,” Howie said. “You always deliver. I’m so proud that I could be the mentor of your dream team.” 

“You’ve just got better as an artist,” Simon said. “You’ve never given up, and the final just wouldn’t be the same without you in it this year.”

Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”

This YouTube video by Cotton Pickin Kids is a catchy rendition of the song, ‘Rocky Top.’

The six kids range from ages 13 up to 21. Savio, 21, plays the mandolin, Thérèse, 20, plays the fiddle, Cecilia, 17, plays the guitar, Rosalinda, 16, the fiddle, Gianluca, 15, the banjo, and Giovanni,13, the dobro. They are all from the Cipollari family, who are from Alabama and make bluegrass music together. 

The song starts with a fast tempo and the kids dive right into it. This group has talent and they all know how to play an instrument to make lively music together. What an exceptional family band! 

‘Rocky Top’ is an American country and bluegrass song that was written in 1967 by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant. The song was first recorded by the Osborne Brothers in the same year. 

The song is also one of the 10 official songs of the state of Tennessee and is associated with the University of Tennessee’s team, the Tennessee Volunteers. 

“Wish that I was on ol' Rocky Top
Down in the Tennessee hills
Ain't no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top
Ain't no telephone bills”

The song laments the loss of a way of life as the singer is longing for a place, Rocky Top, Tennessee. If you have ever moved somewhere new and missed home, you should be able to relate to some if not all of the lyrics in the song. 

Many have made covers of the song including famous artists such as Dolly Parton, John Denver, and Rascal Flatts. You can even hear the song at Walt Disney World.

‘Rocky Top’ is quite the hit and a great choice for the Cotton Pickin Kids to use as a song. 

“Therefore, as you abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that you abound in this grace also.” - 2 Corinthians 8:7 

This Barbershop Quartet may be young but they have talent as you can see from this YouTube video. 

Performing ‘Blue Moon of Kentucky’ at the 2024 Next Generation Barbershop Junior Varsity Quartet Contest through the Barbershop Harmony Society, the young group, Blue 4 U, has the a cappella voices and perfect facial expressions to impress an audience. 

The Barbershop Harmony Society provides programs and resources in music education, publishing, performance, and community outreach. This includes this contest where quartets under the age of 18 can complete with their Barbershop Harmony music. 

Barbershop music has its beginnings among young African American men as early as the 1880s. The music was also very popular between 1900 and 1919. You can sometimes see modern quartets dressed up in the boaters and vertically striped vests that were used at the time. 

‘Blue Moon of Kentucky’ is a waltz written in 1945 by Bill Monroe, a bluegrass musician. It was then recorded by his band, the Blue Grass Boys. The song has also been recorded by artists such as Elvis Presley and Paul McCartney. ‘Blue Moon of Kentucky’ is also the official bluegrass song of Kentucky. 

“Blue moon of Kentucky, keep on shining
Shine on the one that's gone and proved untrue
Blue moon of Kentucky, keep on shining
Shine on the one that's gone and left me blue”

The tone of the music of the version of ‘Blue Moon of Kentucky’ recorded by Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys is a little different than the Barbershop version done by Blue 4 U, but both versions bring life to the song, and you can see why it is so popular. 

“What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.” - 1 Corinthians 14:15

A 5-year-old young man showed off his amazing and awe-inspiring musical talent on the piano by playing a piece from Mozart.

God has blessed all with skills, talents and gifts. Those will differ from person to person. As no two people are 100 percent, no two people have been given the same abilities and talents. Some may be skilled in public speaking. Others may have a natural aptitude for woodworking. Still, other individuals may have an unexplained musical ability. 

How we choose to use those gifts is ultimately up to us. But God has a will and a plan for everyone’s life. Our gifts and talents are intended to bring glory and honor to His name. But also to fulfill His will for our lives. 

A video posted on Instagram shows one young man, a musical prodigy, expertly tickling the ivories in front of an adoring crowd. His hands move up, down and back and forth with rapid-fire speed as he plays one of Mozart’s works. 

To see someone so young play a piano that well is incredible. It’s captivating to watch his hands dance around on the keys and listen to the sound he produces. 

The young man wowing on the piano is Alberto Cartuccia Cingolani, according to the video’s caption. The caption adds that while the child has been blessed with talent, his dazzling performance is not solely the product of natural ability. It required the young man to spend countless hours sitting at and practicing on the large musical instrument.

That’s another point about skills, talents and abilities. Yes, people may have areas they excel in naturally, but talent will only take you so far. Furthering those gifts requires work. God expects us to spend the time necessary to develop the talents he has blessed us with to reach our full potential. 

1 Peter 4:10 “As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.”

One young man put together an epic and stunning lip-sync video to one of Queen’s most beloved and classic tunes, “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Some bands and songs are so iconic that even attempting to cover or do anything with them is essentially setting yourself up for failure. Everyone is incredibly familiar with songs from The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Simon and Garfunkel, Bob Dylan and others. One slight slip-up or flubbed lyric, and everyone will be able to point out the mistake instantly. 

Queen, the legendary English rock band from the 1970s and 80s, produced a string of hits that have since become classics. A few of those timeless tunes are “Another One Bites the Dust,” “You’re My Best Friend,” and “Under Pressure.” However, without question, the song most closely associated with Queen is their 1975 song “Bohemian Rhapsody.” It’s so unique and unlike anything you’ve ever heard before or since. 

Well, in a clip posted on Instagram, one man put together a clip of him lip-syncing “Bohemian Rhapsody.” It’s such a simple but incredibly creative and entertaining clip. It consists of him lip-syncing into a bathroom mirror, and that’s it. 

The portion of the song he lip-syncs is, of course, the segment everyone knows. It’s the section where the band members sing at a rapid-fire pace. But to pull it off, to make it appear that other people are singing with him, the young man pulls and moves the mirror. It catches different angles, making it appear to viewers that multiple people are singing along with him.

The precision and timing involved in creating such a clip is mind-boggling. If he is too fast or slow with his movements, the entire video doesn’t work, and the illusion is destroyed. 

What a fantastic show of talent and timing! 

He must really enjoy the musical stylings of Queen or at least “Bohemian Rhapsody” to know the song that well!

Psalm 105:2 “Let your voice be sounding in songs and melody; let all your thoughts be of the wonder of his works.”

This music video of ‘Checking In’ by for King + Country and Lee Brice begins with someone using a rotary telephone to make a phone call. Throughout the rest of the video, you can see different versions of telephones, including cell phones. But when you read the lyrics you can tell this is quite an emotional song. 

‘Checking In’ is a song about the emotions that someone can feel after a loved one passes away. In the case of this song, it is a son missing his father. The father first leaves the son a voicemail message to check in with him. 

After the father’s death, the son continues to listen to the message and even responds to it with updates. The song also talks about how much he misses him and how it is without him there. 

“There's no telling how many times I've let that message play
He's been gone a while but it still feels like yesterday
I even call him back sometimes
Wishing he'd pick up again”

‘Checking In’ is a beautiful song about loss, and how we can miss someone no longer here. Even if we know that they are in a much better place, it is missing the everyday that can be difficult to process. And when someone leaves us, all we want is to be able to check in with them, like before. 

The song is from the upcoming soundtrack for the movie, Unsung Hero, which comes out in April. The movie follows the Smallbone family who moves to the United States from Australia in the 1990s. The movie follows Rebecca, whose stage name is Rebecca St. James, and her brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone who make up for King and Country, as they become Christian recording artists.  

“But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.” -  1 Corinthians 2:9

The talented children who make up the PS22 Chorus turned in an enchanting performance of the beloved folk song “Shenandoah” that will leave you in awe.

There are some songs that no matter how many times you’ve heard them, you still love every time and never become tired of them. That’s how you can tell if a song is an actual classic – whether it has stood the test of time. Classic tunes cover all genres, musicians, styles and tastes. The many classic songs go from patriotic to religious to more of a secular variety. 

Classic songs all also have a bit of nostalgia and meaning attached to them. Those lyrics and melodies make us feel something from the moments of the tune’s opening notes. Whether it’s “Amazing Grace,” “Yankee Doodle” or “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles, you’ll immediately feel something when those beloved songs are played or performed. 

In a clip posted on YouTube, the PS22 Chorus, in another outstanding performance, sang a song many would consider a classic – “Shenandoah.” The kids’ beautiful vocal delivery of the memorable lyrics is spot-on, creating a most enjoyable listening experience.

“Oh Shenandoah
I long to see you
Away you rolling river
Oh Shenandoah”

The children sound terrific as they perfectly blend their voices. Also, they sing with such emotion and feeling, expressing themselves as they perform the old folk song. Most of the children in the chorus, as they sing the lyrics, even add hand motions to accompany the words. 

Right before the clip ends, soon after the children finish singing, the young man playing the piano perfectly expresses what most will likely feel when listening to the kids singing “Shenandoah.” He says, “Wowzah,” while looking at the camera.

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

A young woman put her stunning and awe-inspiring voice on display during a dazzling performance of the classic song “Beauty and the Beast.”

Celine Dion has one of the best, most powerful and most recognizable voices in history. That beautiful and unmistakable voice has earned her worldwide fame and won her five Grammy Awards. She is also one of the best-selling musicians of all time. In her career, which has spanned decades, she has sold more than 200 million records, according to Forbes.

Celine is a world-class, legendary singer. Someone with Celine’s level of talent does not come around every day. She belongs to an exclusive group of singers that includes Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Adele and Aretha Franklin. Those women could and do sing as few others have before them, constantly astounding with their impressive vocal performances.  

So, whenever someone takes on a song made famous by the legendary Celine Dion, it’s always going to be a tall task. That’s just what one young woman did when she beautifully performed “Beauty and the Beast,” the song from the Disney animated classic of the same name.

In the clip posted on YouTube, the young woman sits next to a young man who plays the iconic tune on the guitar. She begins belting out the memorable lyrics, demonstrating her outstanding and awe-inspiring voice. Her level of talent is mind-blowing!

“Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends unexpectedly”

The entire performance is outstanding. God has blessed her with an angelic voice that must be heard to be believed. How is a voice like that coming out of someone so young?

In addition to the two talented musicians, the video also features a second young man who didn’t want to be left out of the video. Throughout the clip, he shows off his impressive dance moves and jumps up and down, attempting to touch the garage door.

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

What an outstanding performance by the bluegrass band, Southern Raised!

Southern Raised is a family band from the Ozark mountains made up of members, Emily Clayton, Lindsay Killingsworth, Matt Reith, and Alex Clayton. 

In this performance, we find Matt on vocals and the guitar, Emily on vocals and the mandolin, Alex on the banjo, and Lindsay on vocals and bass. Together they create a lively rendition of the classic song, ‘16 Tons.’ 

The song begins with the banjo, then the mandolin and guitar join in, with the bass. Matt’s deeper voice harmonizes well with Lindsay’s and Emily’s voices to create a perfect bluegrass performance. 

The lyrics start with, 

“Some people say a man is made outta mud
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood
Muscle and blood and skin and bones
A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong”

‘16 Tons’ was first written by Merle Travis about a coal miner and based on life in the mines of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. It was first recorded in 1946 and released in 1947. 

In 1955, Tennessee Ernie Ford recorded the song and the song started to get popular, hitting the Billboard country music chart and the pop music chart. Many in the comments even brought up Tennessee Ernie Ford, remembering how he made this song the classic that it is.

One commenter says, “I can’t help but think, that somewhere in heaven, Tennessee Ernie Ford is smiling as a single tear rolls down his cheek. Beautiful!!!” and another, “Being from Tennessee, I sure did enjoy hearing this one.  Plus, Tennessee Ernie Ford is smiling!  Thanks!  It never grows old.”

This song is a favorite among many people, whether they first heard the song years ago, or this Southern Raised version was their first experience with it.  

“That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music, like David;” - Amos 6:5

A couple of incredibly gifted musicians put a decidedly different spin on a beloved classic from Celine Dion, giving “My Heart Will Go On” a metal makeover.

The Academy Award-winning film “Titanic,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, is one of the biggest, most profitable movies in cinema history. Similarly, Celine Dion’s tune from that film, “My Heart Will Go On,” is one of the most popular, widely recognized songs ever. From the first few opening notes of the song, most people will instantly recognize it. 

Additionally, the song is performed by Celine Dion, who possesses otherworldly, God-given talent. Her voice can reach, hit and hold notes that other musicians can only dream of. She is easily one of the best singers of all time. Even if you’re not a big Celine Dion fan, the woman has an angelic and awe-inspiring voice. 

So, since the song is so beloved, widely recognized by the masses and originally performed by one of the best singers of all time, why not try covering it, right? No pressure in undertaking that endeavor.

Well, that’s just what a couple of musicians did. In a clip posted on YouTube, Dan Vasc and Garrett J Peters performed a metal version of “My Heart Will Go On.” And it’s outstanding, giving the tune an entirely different sound and feel.

“Every night in my dreams
I see you, I feel you
This is how I know you go on”

Surprisingly, it’s a cover that could and should be listened to repeatedly. It’s that good! Not saying that it’s an improvement of the original because that would be impossible to do, but this one is so much fun.

Dan is a super-talented singer and puts his musical ability on full display here. What a voice!

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”