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DAVID ARCHULETA

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  • David’s Schedule

    8/21 Performing at Zoo-A-Palooza, Greenville, SC

    *Marylee_DAangel
    *Suzy-Q
    *Jen A

    8/22 DJX Tri-County Ford Bash 2010, Louisville, KY

    *Joner
    *Silverfox
    *emilyluvsarchie

    8/23 David will be interviewed live on Lexington, KY's 106.3 FM at 9:30 a.m. Fans are invited to come to 401 W. Main St. and watch.

    8/27 Six Flags Magic Mountain, New England, Massachusetts, 4:00-8:00pm

    *davidfan4ever
    *fa3ryg1rl
    *Abrra
    *SandyBeaches
    *djbell
    *River

    8/28 Arthur Ashe Kids Day, Flushing, NY, 9:30 am - 4:00 pm (stadium show from 1-4 p.m.)

    8/29 Arthur Ashe Kids' Day performance airs on CBS, noon - 1:30 p.m. EDT

    9/2 Polk Theater, Nashville, Tennessee at 7pm

    *Silverfox
    *SandyBeaches
    *Emifriend

    9/12 Delta Fair & Music Festival, Memphis, TN, 7:oopm

    *Angelica
    *LuvieD

    9/23 4th Annual Pink Ribbon Performance, Wichita, Kansas

    *KathyH

    9/24 Birthday Barn Dance, Penn State York, The Pullo Center, PA

    9/26 The New Albany Classic, Ohio, 12pm - 1pm

    *Thosedangcats
    *Joner
    *emilyluvsarchie
    *Valzee
    *FunnyGirl

    9/28 KLAL Little Rock, AK

    9/30 WXLK Roanoke Radio Show, VA

    10/1 WKLZ Greensboro Radio Show, NC

    10/2 WHTS Grand Rapids Radio Show, MI

    10/05 Official Release The Other Side of Down debut!

    10/8 Mentors International Gala (Salt Lake Marriott Downtown, Salt Lake City, UT, 6 - 9 p.m. MDT)

    *Shawna
    *Pattirae
    *CB

    10/10 Ohio October 10, at 5:00pm Performing at Skate For The Heart and airs Jan. 16, 2011, at 4-6 pm EST, on NBC.

    10/11 Canton, Ohio, Perform at WDJQ (Q92) 'Stripped Down' concert series

    11/? Possible PBS showing of Christmas Special w/Celtic Woman

  • Staff Writers

  • The Other Side of Down-click on “Official” picture to order!

  • Click on picture “Somethin ‘Bout Love” Release Date + Artwork + Album Pre Order!

  • Click on Picture to Pre-order “Chords of Strength” Release Date June 1st

  • Click on Picture to Purchase David Archuleta on iTunes

  • Click on Picture to Purchase CFTH on iTunes

  • Portrait- Most Beautiful Person

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  • Angelica’s Review: Something ‘Bout Love, The Video

    (To read the rest of the review click on the above picture)

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  • Associated Content-Arts and Entertainment

  • David Archuleta – His Taste in Music – Published September 02, 2010 by Pamela Pike

    Promoting All Music

    Arguing about taste is as fundamental as having it in the first place. We take for granted that different people enjoy different things–and that others feel as confident in their judgments as we do in ours.

    Our choices in books, music, art, and design go to the core of who we are. Taste can offer us a doorway into people’s lives.

    Even as a child, David Archuleta’s appetite for exploring music was insatiable beginning with Jazz from his father’s influence and salsa from his mother. Like many who seek out a wide range of art at a young age, David continued to be artistically open-minded. To this day he still seeks out new music.

    David is high in openness, the characteristic of creative, curious, and imaginative people, constantly sampling new music. Openness correlates to a great range of tastes. These individuals have a greater conception of what makes great music.

    He listens to other people’s music and pays attention to what is playing such as Oldies, Pop, Rock, and gives each song a chance. He goes to concerts and checks out opening acts that may not be well-known and recommends to his fans listening to their music.

    His recommendation of Ella Fitzgerald’s “Misty” from his latest blog shows great taste not only in songs but great singers as well. Being a great singer involves the ability to stay on pitch and convey emotion, the message of the song. They also should be as good live as they are recorded. Hearing a performer in concert tells the tale. The voice should be distinctly recognizable.

    Ella could not only make a song come alive, but she brought an element of sweetness to her songs. She was able to make you feel that you were right there with her in the emotion of the song.

    David has that ability, he understands music, he is young but his voice sounds experienced. He has a smile that will knock your socks off and draws you right into the emotions he is emitting. He also has the ability to enjoy himself when he performs and allows others to share in that pleasure.

    Music is his life, commitment, work, discipline, fun, sorrowful, joyful – it’s just all things in one, it’s the rhythm of life. Music is the link to his dreams. Music is also the thing that brings David the closest to God.

    His pen has been a fountain of joyful songs and I am longing to hear the results of all his hard work and dedication on October 5, 2010.

  • Why the hype? 28-year-old male: Archuleta craze not irrational

  • TONY POTTER apotter@uvsj.com

    Posted: Monday, June 21, 2010 10:57 pm | Updated: 2:03 am, Tue Jun 22, 2010.

    I'm a 28-year-old male. My musical tastes include Keane, U2, They Might Be Giants, Regina Spektor and Broadway soundtracks. I am not what I would have called a typical David Archuleta fan. And even though I have interviewed him twice, and met him twice more, I had never, until Saturday night, heard a single song sung by him.

    I interview a lot of artists and bands, and most of these interviews come with the opportunity to attend their respective concerts, take photos for the paper, etc. I rarely attend these events, mostly due to time. However, I so enjoyed my interactions with Archuleta this past week that I decided to take my wife to his concert.

    "Why did I do this?" I asked myself as I sat through a particularly not enjoyable pre-show. When the screaming started (true to Archuleta's own words, the loudest he's ever heard) I was even more outside of my comfort zone. Thankfully, I was "taking pictures for the paper," which made my front and center position less awkward and noticeable.

    But what was my surprise when this "American Idol" star, an accolade I often scoff at, opened with what I can only describe as a fun, truly enjoyable song. And lo, the second song was even better. My expectations of weak vocals and cheesy, teen-pop lyrics fled, and I sat back to enjoy the show.

    But more impressive to me than his performance were the traits he exhibited in our interaction during the week, the very traits that prompted me to attend his concert.

    Trait No. 1: He's a regular, even humble, kid.

    When speaking of the release of his new book, Archuleta had no assumption of his own great wisdom or experience. Instead, he said the publishers approached him, so he thought maybe, since he has been a teenager, his experience with trials and overcoming might speak to other teenagers and help them out. While I saw for a fact that many nonteenagers were buying his book, Archuleta held no illusions for himself of trying to be profound to an older audience.

    Trait No. 2: He's loyal to his fans. When I asked the manager at Deseret Book how long Archuleta would be signing books last Thursday, he told me it started at 6 p.m.

    "When does it end?" I asked.

    "When all the books are signed," he replied.

    The manager went on to say that Archuleta personalizes each book he signs, something most artists don't take the time to do. From the look of things, Archuleta has a strong enough fan base to get away with just signing books from 6 to 8 p.m. So why go the extra mile? I guess he really appreciates those that have made him who he is today, and hasn't forgotten it.

    Trait No. 3: It turns out he really can sing.

    What's the lesson learned here? I guess it's that hordes of young ladies and women falling over the pop icon with dreamy eyes and a magical voice can't always be counted on to be irrational and lacking in real musical inclinations. It turns out, every once in a while, the hype is dead on.

  • FORBES.com

  • In Pictures: 11 Teen Celebrity Entrepreneurs

    Life as a teenage celebrity has its perks–hobnobbing with Hollywood royalty, traveling the world and free clothes, to name a few. But for those who strive for more, just singing or acting won’t do it. They have to be die-hard self-promoters with albums, theater gigs, TV shows, movies, endorsements and charity work. In short, they have to be brand-building entrepreneurs. Here are 11 who are pulling it off.

    David Archuleta, 18

    Musician, actor, author

    Defeated in the seventh season of American Idol by David Cook, Archuleta went on to release a self-titled album on Jive records that reached No. 2 on the Billboard charts, and a Christmas album in October 2009. He even customized a Christmas singing game for the iPhone and iPod Touch. He has played more than 100 live shows since Idol. This year he released an autobiography, Chords of Strength, and last year toured with fellow teen star Demi Lovato. He's also guest-starred on Nickelodeon's iCarly and Disney's Hannah Montana.

Author Archive

« Previous Entries

Taking Him Seriously

Posted by Angelica on Saturday, September 4, 2010

Photo credit Paula

On September 2, 2010, David Archuleta outshone the luminous candles and Christmas lights on the stage of the prestigious Tennessee Performing Arts Center.

From her seat at the theater SandyBeaches texted…

“He lit up the stage, lit up the theatre and it amazed us as well as all of the others on the stage…David had command of the stage at all times.  He was the light.”

“For me this is the ultimate experience with David.  Several months ago I wrote the article “The Power of Passion and a Prayer” in which I said that it would be the finest moment for me to see David sing with Andrea Bocelli, but an ultimate experience just as grand is soon to take place here in Nashville.  This is the magnificent, classical side of David’s music, the one that cannot be duplicated by anyone.

Some of the David that we saw last night, has never been seen and that is because of who he was on stage with. He captured my heart all over again if that is anything understandable. He shocked the director, the choir, the orchestra and Orla when he walked out on stage and the audience erupted in applause. I wanted them to stop so that I could hear him sing!

The accompaniment for ‘Pat a Pan’ was exactly like the one on his CD,therefore it was beautiful.  Orla stepped back and became his background singer.

When he came out on the stage to join her in “Silent Night”, (after she sang an Irish verse),  he sang with her as if he had been singing with her for years and and just for the moment he took on an Irish Celtic presence.  This was something that took our breath away.  Their voices gently blended making it a perfect duet and giving them an immediate standing O.

When it was over, she stepped forward with him while the audience applauded continuously as he bowed at least three times while thanking the audience.

An adult audience for the first time in David’s singing career, recognized the fantastic voice that they were listening to even if they had never heard him before.  I believe as I try to look and find the words to describe, I can say that David for once, was given the respect that is rightfully his.  These adults were educated concert goers and David was given one big shot of confidence last night.”

Orla

Meav


And from Silverfox beside her, this…

“..this was more than just a performance! This was something dreams are
made of. Indescribable. I can use every word used in all the highest accolades given David and it still would not describe what we witnessed last night. Something magical took place & David the Artist was elevated to another level. The audio tapes you heard just DO NOT do justice at all to David’s superd vocals or the way he first walked out on stage amid the mist surrounding the stage as Orla was playing the harp. The mist made their performance surreal, so moving & beautiful. For those who may have thought David is not the same league as Orla, this wonderfully talented & beautiful lady and that perhaps the bar was too high for David…let me just say, David met & surpassed the bar! Their voices complimented each other beautifully. It was amazing! And “Pat-A-Pan”..OMG! It was unreal. HE was unreal. Orla sang “background” on PAP & David’s voice was so powerful & strong. I think the adult audience, most of whom were there for Orla & Maev (they have very vocal & faithful fans) were struck dumb when this “little kid from a talent show” started singing in French..struck dumb that is, until they all stood up & cheered, giving David a standing-O! You can’t really get the full impact of how loud the cheers & applause were. The same for Memories of Christmas..just fabulous! The first taping, David was absolute PERFECTION. No “cut” from the director who could not believe, along with everyone else on stage & the crew backstage, the effect David was having on this “adult” audience. I don’t think he counted on three S/O…”

Many more standing ovations await him on the road ahead.  With the arrival of his new pop album, “The Other Side of Down” on October, 5th, he is skillfully navigating a two-pronged trajectory that will inevitably lead to greatness.  Introduced by Orla as “the best young singer in America…” he is officially on his way to garnering the kind of respect that a talent this rare so richly deserves.

Photo credit brandy T09

Special thanks to SandyBeaches and Silverfox who are the real writers of this article.  I was merely the messenger.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: , , | 182 Comments »

This Time, It’s Personal

Posted by Angelica on Wednesday, September 1, 2010

When David Archuleta cut his first CD during the demanding fifty-three show Idol tour, it was pretty much a corporate affair.  There was a minimum of input from him and precious little time to offer it up anyway.  Often he must have been given a song and expected to learn it quickly in order to get it recorded on his next rare day off.  In interviews promoting the album, he frequently injected the caveat that it was all done in a hurry.

Despite such time and artistic restraints, he delivered a jewel in the eponymous album, “David Archuleta,” which by the alchemy of exquisite vocals and ecstatic fans, was transmuted into gold shortly after its first single became platinum.

Fast forward to 2010 and a completely different scenario:  his new album titled “The Other Side of Down” was produced in a period of several months, months that were devoted almost entirely to its creation and are much the work of David himself.  Of the twelve songs that made the album, ten were written by him.

The release of his sophomore album on October 5th of this year may well presage a release of something more.  In performances of two preview songs that will be on the album, “Something ‘Bout Love” and “Elevator,” he has shown an expansion in confidence and a more liberal use of runs and vocal improvisations.  In these works he had a sizable hand in creating, we sense an unmistakable pride in ownership and a joy that comes from connecting deeply with his work.  These are songs that matter to him.  They are in a very real sense, his heart and soul laid bare, his unique, quirky personality, desires, and dreams exposed.  The act of creation is not reserved to procreation alone.  For an artist, his works are his children and the connection to them is very real and personal.

Those who have followed his career and attended his concerts know that besides his voice, David possesses another gift, equally extraordinary.  He has the ability to literally go into a song, tap into the emotion that lays beating at its core and convey that message back to the listener.

In a recent interview with Fox News he talked about writing his own songs and the importance of connecting to the music and ultimately, to the listener

“It’s made a really big difference in allowing myself to come through into the music and being able to talk about what is important to me and what I feel represents me…as an artist and as a person and…I feel like people will be able to connect a lot more with what I’m singing about because I’ll be able to connect to it.  I feel more like this means something to me and it’s my story and this is my personality and me that’s in here.”

In short, he will “tell it to us and make us understand” who he really is inside.  If the old saying, “to know him is to love him,” is true, then we must also understand this:  whatever release in artistic expression this means for David, there will be no release for us, his fans.

With the unveiling of his sophomore album and the tour to follow, we will find ourselves even more connected to him than we already are.

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: , | 213 Comments »

International Supah Stah!!!

Posted by Angelica on Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Let’s talk about something.  How bout LOVE!!!!!

And 2,000,000 views!  Click on video and go get him some mooaar!

Or stay here and watch my happy dance.


Or these guys.

Your choice.  What the random?  lol


It’s all good.



Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: , | 66 Comments »

Review: Something ‘Bout Love, The Video

Posted by Angelica on Saturday, August 7, 2010

There is so much I love about the new Something ‘Bout Love music video.  The first two videos he did for Crush and ALTNOY were fine, but they didn’t move me.  This video does.  It expands my heart.  It has depth and meaning and subtle messages to intrigue and make one ponder and wonder.  In a world of videos that are shallow, empty, and heartless, I just find that altogether wonderful.

The video begins with the camera taking in just his shoes as he strolls a sidewalk littered with crushed petals.

We are invited to walk in his shoes, to understand a little more of who he really is inside.  The next moment reveals a full-on face shot and it’s not the smiling face to which we have become so accustomed.  It is the face of a man who is intensely engaged in a purpose.  The stride is confident and relaxed but very deliberate.  It is as though David is saying right from the start…“I will be taken seriously as an artist and I am not all rainbows and sunshine.  Deal with it.”   Yet despite this, light refracts into rainbows before him even while shadows play against his face and the tera cotta wall beside him.  This kind of subtle dichotomy is present throughout the film.

Before the video was made his answer to a tweet requesting he make this into a dance video was:
“The message in the song isn’t really about dancing though lol.  It’s more heartfelt.  Kind of odd how they are different.”

It is odd and he plays on this theme of dualism, light/dark, left/right, pain/pleasure, despair and yet the over-riding truth that love is worth all we suffer for it.

“The video and the song are about people who are feeling a little down and a little alone … and just feeling a little frustrated with love or their situation in life. Even though you might feel down with love, there’s something about it you shouldn’t give up on.

aceshowbiz

The camera soon pans to a wide shot and there is a huge white arrow painted on the wall beside him that is pointing in the direction he is walking.  The message here is that moving forward is the only way past the pain.

A boy meets the barrier of a tall fence, and without hesitation, surmounts the obstacle and moves on.  A train speeds forward.

David wears his watch on his left wrist when he is outside alone which he  curiously switches to his right wrist when we see him later that night at the party.   He is asked about this on twitter and replies “Yep it actually was intentional.”

It is interesting that in his seven minute Ramblin’ Man vlog, posted shortly before the release of the video, David is wearing a titanium bracelet, called an Equalibryum.  On the website it claims these bracelets are more than a silicon band but, “like armor for the soul,” designed to “regulate the body’s bio-electrical energy flow giving you an edge.”

equalibryum

I wonder if his wearing the titanium bracelet in the vlog was a clue to the meaning of the intentional switching of the watch across the body.  To clue us in to the message that positive energy has a healing effect.

From an article by Victoria Anisman-Reiner, “Wear Your Watch on the Right Wrist
Protect Your Heart: Common Sense and the Left-Handed Heart Meridian”  dated Apr 4, 2007:

“If you’re right-handed, you probably wear a watch on your left wrist. You might consider switching, however, when you consider the impact that your watch’s battery can have on the health of your heart meridian and, ultimately, on your heart.  The heart is one of the 14 major organs and systems in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Each of these organs has a corresponding meridian, a line of energy flow through the body that becomes strong or weak in tandem with that body part. In healing a weakened organ, the energy of the related meridian is used both to diagnose the health of the body and as a means to begin to strengthen it“.

naturalmedicine

Perhaps these two events are unrelated and as someone later tweeted to the person who received the reply from David that it was “intentional,” it may simply be that “my guess about @DavidArchie and the watch switch – He always Chooses The Right – like CTR”
Yet it is telling that immediately after we see the change of the watch to the right wrist, there follows a girl painting a heart on paper that, with the addition of time and help, becomes by its very largeness, a strong visual statement, the image of a strong heart.

It is at least a possibility that in a video about strengthening weakened hearts and spirits that these “intentional” symbols are meant to convey the message that healing can occur if one avoids negative energy and stays positive and hopeful.

At any rate I love that he has made a video that encourages this kind of thoughtful speculation.  I love that the video is not all romantic, bubblegum fluff.  When I read the advertisement for the cast of the video: roller bladders that are capable of astounding feats, an ethnically ambiguous, edgy girl, I thought it would be just that.  Somehow I think David may have exerted his will a bit to make this video reflect what he feels about the song, which is quite different from mere youthful, summer fun.  I have noticed that in his own quiet way he gets respect, simply because he won’t give or accept anything less.  It was only a matter of time before this same quiet insistence on validation, on being valued and respected, would carry over to his vision for his work.

Two examples that have David’s signature all over them is the scene with the small, lonely boy who is invited to play basketball by the bigger boys.  The other is the young girl stooping to help an elderly woman who has dropped her belongings.  Romantic love is not the only kind that is missing in people’s lives.  Loneliness is not confined to only those who have loved and lost romantically, but is a daily part of many lives and if you are human you have experienced these feelings at one time or another.  The moral is clear:  It often takes very little to gladden a heart.

Poof made a very insightful comment about the video:  “To me, David is not looking sad, but intense.   He seriously wants us to listen to the lyrics and his mood fits the lyrics.  The contrast in the happiness and pain in relationships goes back and forth quickly in this song. I think David does a great job of expressing those two sides. I especially love the “look straight in your eye” when he is talking about the “scared in the night” part of the song. (One my all time favorite, IMPORTANT, lyrics I have ever heard) David was, I say it again, stunning.”

There is so much more.  The light bulb at the end of the dark alley, the alleyway itself where he stands alone with one hand on a ledge, the exuberance he displays when hope rises in the end,

the celebration and finally, a smile when someone hands him a cell phone that literally delivers “Joy” in the form of his dear friend.  The smile makes its return and is more welcome for being lost to us for a little while.  Only for a little while.  That is the real message of the song, that our joy will be with us “in a bit” if we will only hang in, hang on; it’s gonna be alright.  From those first slow steps to the ramped up passion in his expressions and movements to that last heart-stopping smile, he takes us with him for the ride of our lives.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: , | 234 Comments »

Cords of Love

Posted by Angelica on Wednesday, August 4, 2010

“Every time I would think about my purpose, the answers seemed to come in sounds.  In melodies.  In feelings.”

~ David Archuleta, COS, pg 91

I perceive the world through the wide range of emotions that whirl all around in it.”

~David Archuleta, COS, pg 193

From early childhood he sang all the time, alone in his room or in the backyard.  He sang for family and friends and at various functions just for the love of singing.  He would sing random verses that came into his head at odd moments, a habit he has never lost.  He sang even though he was painfully shy, even though he hated the sound of his voice.  He didn’t believe it when people told him he could sing, thinking instead that they were, “just feeling sorry for me because I was little.”  I marvel at the kind of love for one’s art that can conquer even the belief that you have no gift, or as he describes it in the early days of it’s development, “…my so called gift.”

Yet in spite of this lack of confidence in his ability, he worked hard to improve his voice.  He practiced and studied persistently to increase his range and knowledge of music, taking every opportunity that came his way to overcome his shyness at performing in public (he was much more comfortable singing alone in his room). Just when all of his labor began to pay off and he could see some real progress, came the awful diagnosis of vocal paralysis.  What was that like, I wonder, to work so hard and overcome so much and then suddenly lose the dream?  I think it must have broken his heart.  He could have become rebellious and bitter.  He could have railed against God.  Instead, he accepted His will and his fate and continued to persevere.  He struggled with his vocal exercises, even, as he recalls in his book, Chords of Strength, A Memoir of Soul, Song, and the Power of Perseverance, there were days he felt the whole thing was, “a waste of time.”  In the intervening years till the miracle of his voice returned to him, he learned to face life philosophically with the fervent belief that, “everything happens for a reason.” He learned so much about faith, hope, courage, gratitude, humility, and the very real power of prayer.   Quoting again from his memoirs he says, “From the moment I got the diagnosis, life quickly went from Star Search to soul search.”

On AI he was scoped by the same doctor who had treated him for vocal paralysis years before.  In “Chords of Strength,” David relates how the two pictures were totally different, so different that at first he thought it was, “scary.”  Then he writes:

“….I still had a paralyzed vocal cord, but…my cords had found a way to work around the condition because by some miracle, they were vibrating despite what medically wasn’t supposed to be able to happen…The one vocal cord, it seemed, had actually grown up over and around the weak one in order to adjust for the other not working.”

The one strong cord “grew up over and around the weak one”…reached out and gathered the other cord so that when the working muscle vibrated the one, it caused the other to vibrate too.  In other words, the physical mechanism that produces the sound of his voice is literally an embrace.  It is an act of reaching out and lifting up, causing the weak to stand, and that which was unresponsive to feel again.  How like a metaphor for David’s view of life and the effect his music has on so many.

What had seemed like a curse had in fact turned out to be a blessing, giving his voice a breathy, velvety quality and an emotional power born from the ashes of a refining fire.  There is a pain and heartache in his voice that is genuine.   It is a sound that one feels as much as hears.

Once I stood at a barricade in the noon day sun

And looked up into gold-flecked eyes that sparkled

Brighter than sunlight

And rested in his resting voice to feel

In that eternal moment the peace of unconditional

Acceptance.

Once upon a dream I stood at another barricade,

This time at night and David sang

One song after another while I,

Bathed in moonlight (his voice was the moonlight)

Felt him reach out and gather my soul in an embrace.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: , | 178 Comments »

A Triumphant Fourth of July

Posted by Angelica on Saturday, July 3, 2010

Filed by Bebereader and Abrra

“Hallowed be the day, forever bright its memory in the heart of the Nation.  Sing to it, poets; shout to it, freemen; celebrate it with bonfires, parades, and triumphant assemblies.”

Daily Alta California, 4 July 1855

The 30th Annual broadcast of “A Capitol Fourth,” celebrating our nation’s birthday on the Fourth of July, will have the honor of David Archuleta’s presence, as he performs “The Star Spangled Banner” and “Stand By Me.”  This event will air live in High Definition TV at 8 PM EST on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.

David said he has never sung before such a large live audience.  Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to be in the audience for this event, with millions more at home.  Our troops around the world will be able to witness this milestone occasion on the American Forces Network.  It can also be heard live in stereo over national public radio stations across the country.

Being invited to perform at The White House for the Fourth of July is an honor David surely will never forget.  To be asked to share the stage with seasoned entertainers like Gladys Knight and Reba McEntire indicates that David is respected as a serious artist who can deliver a solid performance.  Darius Rucker and the National Symphony Orchestra are scheduled to perform as well.  The event will end with the traditional 17-minute spectacular fireworks show over the Washington Monument set to Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.”

Among the parade of superstars who have performed at this event in previous years include Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, Gloria Estefan, Aretha Franklin, Natasha Bedingfield, Little Richard, Tony Bennett, the Bee Gees, Barry Manilow, Huey Lewis and the News, Ray Charles, Faith Hill and Kenny G.

It comes as no surprise that David Archuleta is repeatedly asked to sing the National Anthem for major events.  His humble, powerful style of singing this song makes it more special than most other renditions.  We are never sure what he will do with it, but we know he will make it shine!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: , | 218 Comments »

Divine Frequency

Posted by Angelica on Monday, June 21, 2010

Sometimes the truth comes shining through with a clarity and brilliance that is humbling.  Suddenly it comes to you in a plaintive voice and you know exactly why you are still here.  This is the face of a real man, a man of incredible courage and strength, a man after God’s own heart.  Who are we to deny him ours?  On September 13, 2008, at the final concert of the AI tour, I drove nine and a half hours to attend the show and to get him to sign this.

I will always cherish it just as I will always cherish him as a gift bestowed by a loving God.  I am not worthy.  But every day I strive to be a fan of David.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: | 144 Comments »

National Treasure

Posted by Angelica on Thursday, June 10, 2010

June 9, 2010, David Archuleta, by invitation, met with the President of the United States.  More importantly for him probably, he met with some very special kids who have risen above adversity most of us can not even imagine.

“The Children’s Miracle Network Champions program honors remarkable children from the United States, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Australia who have triumphed despite severe medical challenges.”

Go here to:

http://www.childrensmiraclenetwork.org/content.aspx?id=140

The Children’s Miracle Network is only one of many causes he has lifted his voice in song or exhortation to promote.  He sang “Lean on Me” to the the children in the East Room of the White House.  He meant every word.

Lean on me when you’re not strong

And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on.

“For me, the best songs are about getting through challenges:  your basic “triumph of the human spirit” type of stuff, which is a common theme in music, (and in life) that inspires me tremendously.”

Chords of Strength, pg 228

Whether he is singing our National Anthem for a packed stadium or as happened last night, for a sparse crowd, he delivers the same level of emotion and pride.  He doesn’t just sing the song, he feels it and believes it and means it.   He is an Eagle Scout who loves this country and its people, is a champion for children in distress and who just wrote a book straight from his heart to ours.

“As I said, I strongly believe that fame brings with it the opportunity to help other people.  You can use your name for the purpose of doing good, as opposed to just being tabloid material all the time.  You can actually make a difference.  I feel that all celebrities should take this responsibility seriously and take advantage of their position to spread positive messages.  I hold this as a top priority as I move further along in my career; whatever “status” I have will be as much for others as it is for myself, because fame is nothing without generosity and kindness. “

Chords of Strength, pg 236.

Some people think us strange to love him so much.  What they don’t realize is that what we love, what attracts us and keeps us fixated on this star is not just the unparalleled beauty of his voice.  It is a beauty of spirit that we recognize as a triumphant return to the values of honor, self-sacrifice, goodness, and integrity.  The values this land was founded upon, the values we were raised to believe in and cherish.  And so we cherish him and everything for which he and this nation and the people who lived and died for it stands.  Being a fan of David Archuleta is a daily reminder of the better angels in us all.

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From A to Z: Archiesfan4life and Zoe

Posted by Angelica on Saturday, June 5, 2010

Archiesfan4life getting the full treatment.

I have been to four of David’s concerts and have spent countless hours these past two years indulging my ODD, yet I was totally unprepared for meeting him face to face.  It was a moment I will never forget and when I recall times in my life that have touched me deeply, this will be one of those memories.  It was an extremely emotional moment for me because of all that has changed in my life these past two years, and I will write that story soon I promise.

I had three books to be signed so I had a few precious extra seconds to stand in front of David.  I always remember something I read once and I am not sure I have the wording exact, but it went something like:  “People may forget what you said, but they will NEVER forget how you made them feel.”

David has the VERY rare quality – in a crowd of people, hundreds of cameras focused on him, young girls screaming their love for him, and his peeps trying to keep him on schedule –of being able to make you feel like you are the only person in that room.  Yes, I may forget what he said to me or what I said to him, BUT I will NEVER forget how he made me feel!

David redefines the word genuine IMHO.  He is genuinely interested in what you say to him – even though he has heard it all a million times; he truly cares about people and it shows – maybe that is why he seems to glow – and he does!

What makes this journey we are on all the more special is the bond we have – and continue to develop – with other fans.  What can I say about sharing this unbelievable experience with Zoe, Bebe and Mr. Bebe and getting to say hi to fans I have met before from FOD and meeting new ones that day!!!  I love all of you and I look forward to creating many more memories for a loooong time to come.

Archiesfan4life~ AF4L

Hi Folks,

The onset of our trip felt like a mad comic caper as AF4L and I had several issues with my GPS suddenly not working and our printed maps not entirely easy to read.  Neither of us are great navigators on the road, and the NJ road systems are not the easiest to understand.  After several stops to ask for directions we finally arrived safe and sound at the bookstore at about noon, where there were already about fifty people sitting in a line of chairs outside the  front entrance.  We bought our copies of COS, checked out the location where David would be signing, had some lunch, then headed to our hotel to check in.

When we came back about 5pm the line was now down the block, around the corner, and for several blocks beyond.  Guess there were several hundred fans lined up by that time.  Mostly teens and twenty-something gals and guys, but certainly a fair share of middleagers like us.

We had to first find a place to park and after driving around the town, took a peek at the parking lot in the back of the bookstore, and found a space not too far from the back door entrance.  That was a huge deal for us, and we quickly gathered our chairs, books, food, and, since the sky looked a bit unsettled, our umbrellas.  As soon as we started to walk to the end of the line, the skies suddenly opened up, so we ran back to the car, threw everything inside, (heaven forbid if our books got wet!!) and stayed put till the storm passed.

As we waited, there were a few fans who were hanging out in the lot, and they informed us that David would be coming into the store around 6pm through the back entrance.  We were so excited at the prospect of seeing his car pull into the parking lot, that we decided to wait till he got there.  And since Bebe and her sweet hubby were parked by the front of the store, we decided to all gather in my car and WAIT FOR DAVID to arrive!

When he finally arrived, none of us were really able to get a good look at him as he scooted through the back door (love that Ninja David!)  The three of us then walked around to the front of the store and AF4L will hopefully tell you about the poor woman who was not feeling well and to whom she provided some assistance.  Her good deed and Mr. Bebe’s crafty plan allowed us to get into the store relatively quickly.

As we headed downstairs there was suddenly a sense of electricity in the air, a buzz of excitement that was like a shot of adrenaline to my body.  Lots of chatter, cameras everywhere, fans laughing and singing as they stood in line…and towards the back, somewhat elevated and standing behind a table was our darling David!  We couldn’t take our eyes off him as we moved through the line, he was lit up like a firecracker, all smiles, laughing, grinning, chatting with each fan as he signed his or her book.  I’ve already commented about his stunning good looks and won’t belabor that point, as I believe I am sounding a bit too fangirly about that aspect of our dear David James.

His Royal Aspect

When it was my turn to step forward, I suddenly forgot most of what I had practiced for so long!!

“Hi David, so great to finally meet you, I’m a big fan.”  was probably something like my oh-so-typical greeting.

“Aw thanks!”  His typical reply…

“Is your hand getting tired yet?”  (GOOD GRIEF, where did that come from?  It was never in my plan to say!)

“Oh no, I’m fine” said he.

By that time the book was signed and as I turned to go I said something typical like…”Your music has enriched my life.  Thank you, David!”

And that was it.

And I still haven’t completely settled down from the experience.

I’m so grateful that I could share it all with AF4L and Bebe, and Mr. Bebe too!  Who knew that among the many blessings that David has brought to my life, I would be meeting and becoming dear friends with the loveliest people!

And who knew that typical could be so extraordinary!

Zoe

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Memorial Day

Posted by Angelica on Monday, May 31, 2010

To ensure the sacrifices of America ’s fallen heroes are never forgotten, in December 2000, the U.S. Congress passed and the president signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act,” P.L. 106-579, creating the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance. The commission’s charter is to “encourage the people of the United States to give something back to their country, which provides them so much freedom and opportunity” by encouraging and coordinating commemorations in the United States of Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remembrance.

The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation. As Moment of Remembrance founder Carmella LaSpada states: “It’s a way we can all help put the memorial back in Memorial Day.”

US Department of Veterans Affairs

Taps

Day is done,

gone the sun,

From the hills,

from the lake,

From the skies.

All is well,

safely rest,

God is nigh.

Go to sleep,

peaceful sleep,

May the soldier

or sailor,

God keep.

On the land

or the deep,

Safe in sleep.

Love, good night,

Must thou go,

When the day,

And the night

Need thee so?

All is well.

Speedeth all

To their rest.

Fades the light;

And afar

Goeth day,

And the stars

Shineth bright,

Fare thee well;

Day has gone,

Night is on.

Thanks and praise,

For our days,

‘Neath the sun,

Neath the stars,

‘Neath the sky,

As we go,

This we know,

God is nigh.

Listen to TAPS:  

If  you are able, please take a moment at 3pm today to think of those who gave their all for all of us.

Evanescence-”My Immortal”

This next video is by Abrra-”Save the Day” by David Archuleta.  At the very end of the video is a picture of Betsy’s son who served two tours in Iraq and is, thankfully, safe and well and home.

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