Vlogging in Vegas

A short video blog about my St. George concert and more!

Fantastic Weekend!

I had a great weekend in Arizona. It was so good to see my friends again in Tucson on Friday. Thank you Kandee and Latter-Day Cottage for putting on such a great event. As always, Corbin was fantastic and had an amazing performance. He has such a grasp for intriguing lyrics and melodies.

On Saturday, I was fortunate enough to be a part of the Music and Arts Festival in Mesa. Thanks to the Allen family for being so kind. You guys did a great job. I hope to be a part of it in the years to come.

I got to see Alex Boye and Cheri Call perform. Not only are they fantastic musicians, they are fantastic people. I also had the chance to catch up with Peter Breinholt and Ryan Shupe. I am such a big fan of all of these guys. If you would have told me 10 years ago that I would be casually conversing with these musical heroes, I wouldn't have believed you. I am so fortunate to be able to associate with such great people.

Thanks to everyone who continues to support me. I am very grateful.

Click here to see more pics from my weekend in AZ!

September Schedule: Concerts and Appearances -- UT, AZ, and CO

September will be busy for me. I'll be in UT, AZ and CO. Here's the schedule:

Saturday, Sept 8, 5:00 - 6:30 PM
REFLECTIONS BOOKSTORE
Meet and Greet
47 South Main Street
Brigham City, Utah 84302

Saturday, Sept 8, 8:00 PM
BRIGHAM CITY PEACH DAYS CELEBRATION
FREE Concert
Main Street Stage
43 North Main Street
Brigham City, Utah 84302
Information on Peach Days

Friday, Sept 14, 2 - 4 PM
LATTER DAY COTTAGE
Meet and Greet
7012 East Broadway Blvd.
Tucson, Arizona 85710
(520) 885-2635

Friday, Sept 14, 7:30 PM
CATALINA FOOTHILLS HIGH SCHOOL
Concert
4300 East Sunrise Drive
Tucson, Arizona 85718
Tickets: $8 - $12
Purchase tickets online

Saturday, Sept 15, 1 - 3 PM
PIONEER BOOKS AND GIFTS
Meet and Greet
2820 East University Drive #102
Mesa, AZ 85213
(480) 832-8433

Saturday, Sept 15, 7:30 PM
MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL
Concert
2700 E. Brown Road
Mesa, Arizona 85213
Tickets: $10 - $15
Purchase tickets online
OR at
Pioneer Books and Gifts
2820 East University Drive #102
Mesa, AZ 85213
(480) 832-8433

Friday, Sept 21, 2:00 - 3:30 PM
MORONI BOOKS AND GIFTS
Meet and Greet
344 East Foothills Parkway
Fort Collins, CO 80525
(970) 493-4895

Opportunities and Happiness

February was a great month. I had two concerts in Utah: one at BYU and the other in Brigham City. Thanks to everyone who attended and laughed. Thanks to the organizers. I really felt taken care of at both shows.

When I meet new people, I love to hear their stories of how they are making their lives better. I am inspired to learn more and to do more. A good friend completed a huge task this past month. In the face of doubters and cynics, she was able to learn something brand new and make her project a huge success. The human spirit can do anything. It is powerful and wants to succeed. It gets angry when our laziness says, "I can't do it."

As I was traveling on a plane to do a concert recently, I read an interesting article in a magazine about being happy. People complain about being in a rut or being dealt a bad hand. When you find yourself in a difficult situation, ask yourself, "Why me? Why here? What can I learn? What can I do to make this an opportunity?"

We make our own opportunities. We create our own happiness.

Ten Things

Ten things I learned this weekend while visiting Tucson, Arizona:
1. Even if your tube of toothpaste has only one ounce of paste in it, they won't let you carry it on a plane if it is in a tube that says "4.2 oz."
2. If there is a problem getting an item through security, it is better to just let it go and smile. You might have a logical argument about something weighing "one ounce," but it's not worth losing flying privileges for the rest of your life.
3. Listening to Cyndi Lauper's "All Through the Night" while walking through the airport helps to alleviate anger and tension about having to "surrender" cavity-fighting toiletries. (That's what she really said, "Sir, are you willing to surrender this toothpaste?")
4. Kandee & company at Latter Day Cottage inspire me to be a better person.
5. Once I start talking, I tend to talk, and talk, and talk...
6. Everything good happened in 9th grade.
7. During a concert don't tell the audience how hairy you are. You might think they'd laugh, but you'd be wrong. They mostly wrinkle their noses in disgust and say "ew."
8. 8, I forgot what eight was for.
9. There is something in the water in Arizona that makes the locals really, really, ridiculously good looking.
10. Water and a toothbrush don't really get all the gunk off of your teeth. If only I had an ounce of toothpaste...

Friends and Brothers-- BYU Idaho

So I found a cheerleader outfit backstage during the Friends and Brothers Concert at BYU Idaho and it kept screaming, "Put me on! Put me on!" I didn't want to hurt its feelings, so I did as I was told. Needless to say, I had a great time at the concert.

Marvin Goldstein, Billy Dean, and Thurl Bailey are amazing men. I am better for having spent the day with them. I love Billy's deep voice and his touching lyrics. He is a genuinely nice guy. Thurl's heart is as big as he is tall. I remember being in Jr. Jazz and having him come and visit our team to show us how to do lay-ups. The circle has now come to a close. Marvin, Marvin, Marvin. I never have a dull moment on stage with Marvin. When we are together, we have more fun than the audience. I feel like I've accomplished something if he lowers his head to laugh at some dumb thing I do or say. If every show could be like this one, I would be in heaven.

I love meeting new people. The day before the concert, I hung out in a common area in front of the bookstore and talked and talked and talked. So many nice people.

The students in charge of "handling" me were so kind and accommodating. They didn't even bat an eye when I said I needed sliced deli turkey, wheat bread, and Gala apples with my initials peeled into them in large 3-D cursive letters. Thank you Nathan and Tara (or Tera or Tarra or Terra). You guys made everything run smoothly. The apples were delicious.

I have finished the Christmas album and it is being duplicated this very minute. It is called "Merry White Tree in the Night." I have never been happier with an album. I could sing praises to Nathan DeVore day and night and never praise him enough. He is an insane genius. His originality, vision, and talent are miraculous. Yes, miraculous. He makes miracles.

I will be visiting a lot of places over the next few months. If I'm in your area, stop by and talk for a while.

August- Utah Concerts

I had a great time in Brigham city, Utah on Friday. I met a lot of nice people at the Reflections Bookstore. Thanks to everyone who came to visit.

The winners of the free concert, Gracia and Lindsey, had an enjoyable party/barbeque. I played songs, told stories, and hung out for a few hours. Thanks Gracia. Tell Friend the burgers were awesome. And Dan, you are one of the best!

On Saturday, I played at the Highland Fling in Highland, Utah. The event planner, Emily, was a joy to work with. The entire day was filled with entertainment, parades, and activities. Great Job! As far as the concert goes, all I can say is that I miss 9th grade. Thanks to everyone who listened to the songs and stuck around afterwards to talk.

New CD Release!

It has been a while. Tomorrow is the official release date of my new album "Braver Days." The CD will then be available in most stores. I will be in Utah for the whole week and promote "Braver Days" as well as the film "Take a Chance", which will also be in stores tomorrow.

Here is my current schedule in case you want to come and say hi:

Monday, May 1, 6:30 PM:
THANKSGIVING POINT BARN
Premiere of "Take a Chance"
3003 North Thanksgiving Way
Lehi, Utah

Wednesday, May 3, 12:30-2:30 PM:
SEAGULL BOOK AMERICAN FORK
Meet & Greet
218 West State Road
American Fork, Utah
801-492-0818

Thursday, May 4, 5-7 PM:
MISSIONARY EMPORIUM
Meet & Greet
7110 South Redwood Road
West Jordan, Utah
801-556-1467

Thursday, May 4, 8 PM:
COMEDY SPORTZ
Improv Comedy
36 West Center Street
Provo, Utah
801-377-9700

Friday, May 5, 12:30-2:30 PM:
SEAGULL BOOK FAMILY CENTER
Meet & Greet
5720 South Redwood Road
Taylorsville, Utah
801-969-7747

Friday, May 5, 4-6 PM:
ACRES MARKET
Meet & Greet
2645 North 400 East
Ogden, Utah
801-782-7800

Friday, May 5, 7:30-8:30 PM:
CLEANFLIX OREM 800 NORTH
Meet & Greet
167 West 800 North
Orem, Utah
801-224-1496

Friday, May 5, 9:00-10:30 PM:
CLEANFLICKS OREM STATE STREET
Meet & Greet
908 South State Street
Orem, Utah
801-434-4497

Saturday, May 6, 10 AM-NOON:
SEAGULL BOOK WEST JORDAN
Meet & Greet
1625 West 9000 South
West Jordan, Utah
801-568-0444

Saturday, May 6, 12:30-2:30 PM:
SEAGULL BOOK SALT LAKE CITY
Meet & Greet
1720 South Redwood Road
Salt Lake City, Utah
801-972-2429

Saturday, May 6, 3-5 PM:
DESERET BOOK LAYTON HILLS
Meet & Greet
1096 Layton Hills Mall
Layton, Utah
801-546-3391

Saturday, May 3, 6:15 PM:
TAHITIAN NONI RIVERBOTTOMS
Live Concert (free admissions)
333 West River Park Drive
Provo, Utah
801-234-1404

An Evening of Entertainment and Inspiration

I'll be back in Utah this week for "An Evening of Entertainment and Inspiration" on Saturday, February 25, at 7:00 p.m., at the Timpview High School Auditorium in Provo.

The event is hosted by Steven Kapp Perry and features Jessie Clark Funk, Marvin Goldstein, Michael Dowdle, Sam Payne, Dave Tinney, One Clear Voice, and me.

Tickets are $8 in advance, or $10 at the door. Go to www.localeventtix.com to buy tickets online.

Saturday, February 25, 7 PM:
TIMPVIEW HIGHSCHOOL AUDITORIUM
An Evening of Entertainment and Inspiration
3570 Timpview Drive
Provo, Utah
801-225-7219

Where I've been. Where I'll be.

I just came back from the premiere of "Pirates of the Great Salt Lake" in San Francisco. It was great to see the finished film. My song "Chances" is featured in the film and I play three or four different pirate characters in the movie.

On Friday, February 17 at 7 p.m., I will play a concert with Marvin Goldstein at the Huntington Beach Central Library in California. Tickets are $5 each (or free with a $25 purchase at The Bookport). You can also meet me between 4 and 6 p.m. at The Bookport in Fountain Valley. I'd love to see you there.

Friday, February 17, 4-6 PM:
THE BOOKPORT
18641 Brookhurst
Fountain Valley, California
714-963-4889

Friday, February 17, 7 PM:
HUNTINGTON BEACH CENTRAL LIBRARY
A Farewell Tribute to Carl and Paulette Schmidt
7111 Talbert
Huntington Beach, California