Brad Paisley OMG

HOW is it possible that I didn’t know about him before today???  I heard one of his songs on the radio and was completely swept off my feet.  (The song, FYI, is “Welcome to the Future.”  I’ll post the lyrics at the end of this post.)  I LOVE this singer/songwriter!  When I downloaded his album onto my iPod, I realized that I had his version of “Never Leave Harlan” (which I also love).  This man rocks.  Not only is he an amazing guitar player with a honey baritone, his lyrics…OMG.  He’s funny, he’s sweet and he’s sharp.  (Check out a song called, “The Pants.”)  This is a person I wish I could meet.

When I was ten years old,

I remember thinkin’ how cool it would be,

When we were goin’ on an eight hour drive,

If I could just watch TV.

And I’d have given anything

To have my own Pac Man game at home

I used to have to get a ride down to the arcade;

Now I’ve got it on my phone.

Hey!

Glory glory hallelujah.

Welcome to the future.

My grandpa was in World War II,

He fought against the Japanese.

He wrote a hundred letters to my grandma;

Mailed ‘em from his base in the Philippines.

I wish they could see this now,

World they say has changed you know.

Cause I was on a video chat this morning

With a company in Tokyo.

Hey!

Every day is a revolution.

Welcome to the future.

Hey …

Look around it’s all so clear

Hey …

Wherever we were going well…we’re here.

Hey …

So many things I never thought I’d see…

Happening right in front of me.

I had a friend in school,

Running-back on the football team,

They burned a cross in his front yard

For asking out the homecoming queen.

I thought about him today,

Everybody who’s seen what he’s seen,

From a woman on a bus

To a man with a dream.

Hey!

Wake up Martin Luther!

Welcome to the future!

More from “A Christmas Carol”

We are popping our buttons about our son!  He is doing so well in this production!  We are thrilled that he is having this experience.  His director and assistant director have said lovely things about him.  “He’s got great acting instincts.”  “He’s a very smart actor.”  “I’ve worked with some children who make me want to hang myself–he is a BREEZE.”  We had the auditions in October and he’s been doing 3-4 rehearsals a week and now, 9 performances.  And yet, his grades have gone UP.  He’s bringing home all B’s and A’s now!  Oh, theatre!  The drama breeds success!

I went to the show again last night.  People were ooohing and ahhing over everything.  They rave about the set, sigh over young Scrooge and his love of Belle, gush over little Tim, cry and laugh with old Scrooge and gasp when the 10 foot Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come comes on scene.  It is such a pretty production.  I don’t know about my son, but *I* will be very sad when it’s over.

In any case, I was a bad stage mom, breaking the rules last night.  I took my camera and brazenly recorded most of the scenes my son was in.  (BAD, BAD!)  I’ve uploaded them to youtube for you to see.  Again, they are not the best quality (ok, ok, I wasn’t THAT brazen), but you can get the idea.

The first scene is one that I particularly like, but it needs some explaining.  It is during an AWESOME party scene at the Fezziwig house.  Truly, I should record that scene because Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig steal the show.  There is a great dance number for the ensemble and they really have fun with it.  At the top of the run, my son’s character (Boy Caroler in this scene) was just supposed to help decorate the house and then stand on the catwalk, watching the scene.  About the third show, we noticed he was mimicking the dancers, following all of young Scrooge’s moves.  I asked the director is he had told my son to do that.  He said, “No, it looks like he’s doing his own thing now.”  Last night, at intermission, I talked again with the director and he said, “I’d never really watched him dancing on the catwalk up there.  He’s so good.  It’s really quite charming.”  Well, of COURSE *I* think so!  So, here is that scene for you to watch.  It is strangely taped, since I’m aiming for my son and not the regular dancers, but I also wanted to get them in a little, so you can see what he is mimicking.  No one taught him the dance.  He just did what any curious boy would do and watched and then copied.  I think that’s probably why it works so well in the scene.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDIqAqF58Us

The next scene is Tiny Tim riding home on his dad’s shoulder.  I like it because the entire cast is so outstanding, I like to watch Bob Cratchitt because he’s AMAZING and they sound so good!  I think this is where you can tell I’m not supposed to be recording in the theater, because I put the camera down without turning it off (what a dork!).

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zU25REwr_Y

The next scene is the Cratchitt children singing the song “Little Jack Horner” for their parents. 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eO4PVPhNFeI

The big moment!  Our son’s big line (he has five).  “God bless us, every one!”

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvnOTRC7gDc

And finally, the last scene and curtain call.  Dang!  This cast can SING!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7BQD_eRMtU

We are so proud of Tiny Tim!

Our son recently landed his first role in a play.  He’s “Tiny Tim” in “A Christmas Carol.”   It is a gorgeous production and the reviews have been outstanding.   We are so proud of our son and the hard work he’s put into the show. 

Our son as Tiny Tim

Here’s a contraband video.  It’s poor quality, but hopefully, you can hear him…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5P5DFcgmkQ

Ode to Joy

ode to joy trumpet

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Someone is teaching himself to play the trumpet!