I've mentioned Jon Schmidt and Steve Nelson before, but I wanted to do it again. Because this is my blog, I can! :)
I knew both back in my high school days, as Jon was my Sunday School teacher, mentor and friend, while Steve was in my Orchestra class (can you guess what he played?). I don't know exactly when the two of them got together and began creating beautiful music, but the combination of two such fun, talented, inspiring musicians has truly been a gift from our Heavenly Father above.
They are now a part of The Piano Guys, though I think they may actually have formed it. I can't be certain. In any case, they have brought many fantastic videos of Jon and Steve, both separately and together. Their latest video on YouTube features Alex Boye, a brilliant artist.
I admire those who can create beautiful music. I envy them as well. Music has always been a major part of my life, though I'm not proficient in any instrument, nor even in singing. Fortunately for me, that doesn't hinder my ability to enjoy, be inspired by, and feel thrilled when a brilliant piece of music comes my way. This is one of those pieces.
Thank you Jon, Steve, and Alex, for sharing this incredible talent of yours.
Coldplay - Paradise (Peponi) African Style (Piano/Cello) Cover - The Piano Guys ft. Alex Boye
If you'd like to see more, click on The Piano Guys on YouTube for their YouTube page where you can access all their videos. If you like what you see, please pass this along. You can also visit their homepage at ThePianoGuys.com.
More from Jon Schmidt
More from Steven Sharp Nelson
More from Alex Boye
Showing posts with label Brushes with Fame. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brushes with Fame. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Thursday, May 28, 2009
"Love Story" Meets "Viva La Vida"
Once again I want to share with you something from UTube, but have to post the link as I'm not yet Internet savvy enough to figure out how to post the actual video.
I first met Jon Schmidt years ago when he and his wife moved into my neighborhood. He was my Sunday School teacher for a few years and his wife was my youth leader. The two of them loved and supported an insecure, awkward teenager and gave me more than they can possibly know.
Jon has been building a remarkable piano career. I own most of his cd's. His brilliance on the piano is loved not only by me, but by my children as well. I've had many an extraordinary experience happen while listening to his musical creations.
Paired with him is Steve Nelson, another long-ago friend of mine. We were both in high school orchestra together, where I listened to him make magic with his cello. Recently he's come out with two cd's of his own, and has made quite a fantastic name for himself in the musical world as well.
Listening to the two of them play, I find myself both humbled and grateful to be able to claim I knew them when. I hope you enjoy their creation as much as I do.
LOVE STORY (Taylor Swift) meets VIVA LA VIDA (Coldplay) - piano cello - by Jon Schmidt
I first met Jon Schmidt years ago when he and his wife moved into my neighborhood. He was my Sunday School teacher for a few years and his wife was my youth leader. The two of them loved and supported an insecure, awkward teenager and gave me more than they can possibly know.
Jon has been building a remarkable piano career. I own most of his cd's. His brilliance on the piano is loved not only by me, but by my children as well. I've had many an extraordinary experience happen while listening to his musical creations.
Paired with him is Steve Nelson, another long-ago friend of mine. We were both in high school orchestra together, where I listened to him make magic with his cello. Recently he's come out with two cd's of his own, and has made quite a fantastic name for himself in the musical world as well.
Listening to the two of them play, I find myself both humbled and grateful to be able to claim I knew them when. I hope you enjoy their creation as much as I do.
LOVE STORY (Taylor Swift) meets VIVA LA VIDA (Coldplay) - piano cello - by Jon Schmidt
Monday, December 8, 2008
Michael Phipps - Artist Extraordinaire
My hubby and I were recently talking about all the amazingly talented people we know. One of those people finally seems to be getting a start of the recognition he deserves. Though I may only reach a few people with my humble little blog, I want to help in the effort to get his name (and his beautiful work) out there.
I first met Michael when we both worked as night custodians, and was immediately charmed by his quick wit and sense of humor. If you get the chance to read his blog, The Art of Michael Phipps, you'll see what I mean.
Michael was recently commission to paint a scene from the life of Jesus Christ. It revolves around the moment Christ reveals himself to be the Savior to the woman at the well, and is titled "I That Speaketh Unto Thee Am He." This work was entirely out of his comfort zone (his words), but I'm a firm believer that sometimes we have to be stretched to see what miracles can be made.
While this is one of the biggest works he's done, he's certainly not new to the business. According to his profile Michael has painted "book covers, album artwork, playbill covers, posters and more," many of which can be seen on his official website: The Art and Illustration of Michael Phipps.
Michael recently branched into the world of screen printed T-shirts, all personally designed and made in his own home. He was even featured, with a few others, about this side business in a recent article in Deseret News on the popular website Etsy.com ("Etsy Does It..."), where he sells the T-shirts along with many of his other works of art (Screen Printed T-Shirts and Art by Michael Phipps).
Take a look at the links provided. I promise you won't be disappointed. Please feel free to pass the links on to others you feel might be just as inspired by his incredible talent. If nothing else, drop him a line to let him know what you think. Every artist loves to hear their work is appreciated.
I first met Michael when we both worked as night custodians, and was immediately charmed by his quick wit and sense of humor. If you get the chance to read his blog, The Art of Michael Phipps, you'll see what I mean.
Michael was recently commission to paint a scene from the life of Jesus Christ. It revolves around the moment Christ reveals himself to be the Savior to the woman at the well, and is titled "I That Speaketh Unto Thee Am He." This work was entirely out of his comfort zone (his words), but I'm a firm believer that sometimes we have to be stretched to see what miracles can be made.
While this is one of the biggest works he's done, he's certainly not new to the business. According to his profile Michael has painted "book covers, album artwork, playbill covers, posters and more," many of which can be seen on his official website: The Art and Illustration of Michael Phipps.
Michael recently branched into the world of screen printed T-shirts, all personally designed and made in his own home. He was even featured, with a few others, about this side business in a recent article in Deseret News on the popular website Etsy.com ("Etsy Does It..."), where he sells the T-shirts along with many of his other works of art (Screen Printed T-Shirts and Art by Michael Phipps).
Take a look at the links provided. I promise you won't be disappointed. Please feel free to pass the links on to others you feel might be just as inspired by his incredible talent. If nothing else, drop him a line to let him know what you think. Every artist loves to hear their work is appreciated.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
That's Right - It's an Embarrassing Laurie Moment
Typically when someone puts up a question saying, "What's your most embarrassing moment?" I struggle. It's not because I'm so amazingly self-aware that I never do anything to embarrass myself. In fact I'm quite happy to make a bit of a fool of myself. Of course I wasn't always so.
I've always been a people pleaser. I'm more apt to say what someone wants to hear rather than what I'm really thinking. This is one of those moments.
I was about 16 or 17. My Sunday School teacher was named Jon Schmidt. He's a fantastic redhead (redundant? tee hee), who has made quite a name for himself with all his piano doings. I find him quite remarkable. Of course it has so much more to do with the man (and his amazing wife) who helped mold my spiritual outlook on life during those awkward years.
One particular evening his wife was out of town. My best friend and I took him some spaghetti dinner, because, naturally, there was no way he could take care of himself and it became our self-inflicted duty to provide him with sustenance. After providing him with dinner I realized we forgot dessert. I know. And that's not even the embarrassing part!
Upon arriving to his downstairs apartment I found a note saying he and a friend had gone over to our church building to practice the piano. I found him and this totally cute guy named Paul Cardall playing a bit of music. Jon invited me to stay for a moment and listen. I've always been fantastically moved by music in so many forms and wholeheartedly agreed to stay (it didn't hurt that I got to sit and stare at the cute guy a while, too). Paul played a self-written variation on a song originally written by a man whose name eludes me, a song I was very familiar with and dearly loved.
After Paul was finished Jon asked me which version I liked better. I could see it in both their eyes: they wanted me to say Paul's version. I was flustered. I was scared of saying something stupid. I blurted out, "I like your version better." Then I felt like a fool. Why?
Well, first was the sly look the two men had, a look that screamed, "I think she's crushin' on you, man!" I began to blush furiously at the thought (and blushing really clashes with my hair!). My second thought was how I so wished I'd told them exactly how I really felt.
I'd wanted to say I loved the original, as it had captured my heart long ago. I also really like Paul's version as it brought something new to the picture and evoked so many emotions in something I already enjoyed. That's what I wanted to say.
Instead I came out sounding like a dumbstruck, moony teenager who couldn't get past a cute face and nimble fingers. Grrr. The day a time machine is officially on the market I'm heading back to that day and saying exactly what I thought!
I've always been a people pleaser. I'm more apt to say what someone wants to hear rather than what I'm really thinking. This is one of those moments.
I was about 16 or 17. My Sunday School teacher was named Jon Schmidt. He's a fantastic redhead (redundant? tee hee), who has made quite a name for himself with all his piano doings. I find him quite remarkable. Of course it has so much more to do with the man (and his amazing wife) who helped mold my spiritual outlook on life during those awkward years.
One particular evening his wife was out of town. My best friend and I took him some spaghetti dinner, because, naturally, there was no way he could take care of himself and it became our self-inflicted duty to provide him with sustenance. After providing him with dinner I realized we forgot dessert. I know. And that's not even the embarrassing part!
Upon arriving to his downstairs apartment I found a note saying he and a friend had gone over to our church building to practice the piano. I found him and this totally cute guy named Paul Cardall playing a bit of music. Jon invited me to stay for a moment and listen. I've always been fantastically moved by music in so many forms and wholeheartedly agreed to stay (it didn't hurt that I got to sit and stare at the cute guy a while, too). Paul played a self-written variation on a song originally written by a man whose name eludes me, a song I was very familiar with and dearly loved.
After Paul was finished Jon asked me which version I liked better. I could see it in both their eyes: they wanted me to say Paul's version. I was flustered. I was scared of saying something stupid. I blurted out, "I like your version better." Then I felt like a fool. Why?
Well, first was the sly look the two men had, a look that screamed, "I think she's crushin' on you, man!" I began to blush furiously at the thought (and blushing really clashes with my hair!). My second thought was how I so wished I'd told them exactly how I really felt.
I'd wanted to say I loved the original, as it had captured my heart long ago. I also really like Paul's version as it brought something new to the picture and evoked so many emotions in something I already enjoyed. That's what I wanted to say.
Instead I came out sounding like a dumbstruck, moony teenager who couldn't get past a cute face and nimble fingers. Grrr. The day a time machine is officially on the market I'm heading back to that day and saying exactly what I thought!
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