Music

The Gardiner Brothers will amaze you with their electrifying dance routine to Chuck Berry’s 1958 chart-topping single, ‘Johnny B. Goode!’ Chuck Berry, born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1926 has been called the “Father of Rock and Roll,” because he “refined and developed rhythm and blues into the major elements that made rock and roll distinctive with songs such as ‘Maybellene’ (1955), ‘Roll Over Beethoven’ (1956),...” 

He was also a showman on stage, famous for his guitar solos and his unique “duck walk.” In fact, Tom Taylor wrote that Chuck Berry might well be called “The Duck Walker” because of the one-of-a-kind strutting he did across the stage when he performed. So, when Michael and Matthew Gardiner set out to do a routine to this classic song by an iconic artist, they had their hands full!

But, boy, did they deliver! Positioned at the corner of Broadway and 1st in Nashville, TN, the brothers hit the ground tapping, kicking, and turning, and they don’t slow down! Behind them is Music City’s Hard Rock Cafe, and the Cumberland River runs just a little further from there. It’s an incredible song and an impressive intersection, but the Gardiner Brothers earn that little spot on the road when they dance. With impeccable precision and synchronicity, as well as loads of personality and style, the Gardiner Brothers are a blast to watch!  

Michael and Matthew were born in 1995 and 1999, respectively, in Denver, Colorado to Irish parents. Their parents loved Denver, but they wanted to infuse Irish culture into the upbringing of their children. And, while the Irish music scene wasn’t big in the city, there was a thriving community for Irish dancers. The brothers attended The Wick School of Irish Dance in Denver. After dancing and competing from their Denver home for six years, the family returned to Ireland.

Michael and Matthew have competed and won championships around the globe. They have been lead cast members of Riverdance and have amassed a following of 1.4 million subscribers to their YouTube channel. And, just this month, they made a big move back to the United States.

The brothers announced on May 11 via Facebook that they’d made the move to Nashville to begin another professional adventure. With the goal of building on the social media journey they started back in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, they wrote, “Here’s to growing, evolving, and continuing this amazing ride with all of you.”

Elementary school gym teacher Jamal Roberts wows with ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ on ‘American Idol.’ The 27-year-old’s smooth and soulful version of the hit song had the audience cheering just seconds into his performance. Click the video to hear Jamal’s deep, soul-swinging cover of the classic. 

Jamal’s performance is full of impressive vocals. He absolutely stunned with his bright yellow jacket and matching flared pants as he jammed out to the song. Even ‘Idol’ Judge Lionel Richie was singing along with Jamal, though all three judges had smiles on their faces as they were entertained by his heart-filled performance. 

As Jamal sings and jives, it’s clear that he put his all into his performance and enjoyed it at the same time. He clearly put in a lot of practice and knows how to master his voice like a professional. It's no wonder the singer won the competition. 

Jamal was already on a happiness high before his final and winning performance. Before his win, he got another huge blessing—a baby. His third daughter, GiannaGrace was born just days before he took home the title of ‘American Idol’ winner. 

"I'm going to see my daughter, Gianna," he said after winning. "I've got a lot of making up to do."

Jamal’s peace and contentedness are evident as he sings ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.’ The song’s lyrics also match Jamal’s ethic in the competition; no mountain was high enough for the Missouri native. He’s worked hard, and he deserves the win. 

Jamal said, "I just didn't know I would be here, you know? But just to see my dream come true, it just goes to show you that God is still, he's still in charge of all of our lives, and if you dream and you work hard, you can accomplish anything."

“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37 

In a new clip on YouTube, an extremely talented dad and his kids nail an a cappella cover of Disney’s classic from ‘A Goofy Movie.’ You’re bound to laugh and smile as you watch the dad dance and sing with his son and daughter. Watch the clip to see—and hear—the family love. 

The ‘A Goofy Movie’ song, ‘I 2 I,’ is fun and catchy with a range of great beats. It is very 90s, and hearing it a cappella is unique and impressive. In the clip, Dad Jared Halley sings most of the song in split frames. His young son, Noah, also lends his vocals, making the music sound all the sweeter. His daughter, Aria, doesn’t join in on the song but does dance along with her dad in one of the frames, and Noah happily dances solo. 

Jared does a fantastic job of maintaining the song’s vibrancy and familiar sound while providing a cool new way for listeners to enjoy the tune. The song is also symbolic. Jared and his son sing together, and ‘A Goofy Movie’ is all about the restoration of a father’s relationship with his son. The meaning of the song shines in its lyrics: 

‘If we listen to each other's heart
(Oh yeah) we'll find we're never too far apart
And maybe love is the reason why
For the first time ever we're seeing it eye to eye’

It’s the perfect song for a father to sing with his son. It is clear that this dad loves singing and loves to jam out with his children, and they like it too. Jared also shares other song covers with his kids, like ‘Holly Jolly Christmas,’ ‘Ghostbusters,’ and the ‘Pokémon Theme Song.’

In a world where a lot of dads are disconnected from their kids, it’s so pure and wholesome to see a father including his children in his passion.

This fantastic ‘I Can See Clearly Now’ cover will brighten your day and lift your spirits. Whether you are watching it or listening to it, you’ll have a guaranteed smile on your face. Click on the clip to hear the fun and feel-good song. 

In a new video posted on YouTube, singer Anne Reburn covers ‘I Can See Clearly Now’ with her gentle voice. It is absolutely perfect for this kind of sweet and optimistic piece of music. It sounds almost like an upbeat lullaby as she sings of a clear sky with no more rain and troubles. The video is also visually pleasing, as Anne appears in several split screens and sings each part of the song in different keys and with different instruments that she plays: a maraca, tambourine, ukulele, and electric guitar. 

The reggae song originally came out in 1972, and it was sung and written by Johnny Nash. It’s such a bright and sunny song of hope—a reminder that there is a strong and brilliant light at the end of the tunnel. Some of the lyrics are:

‘I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright sunshiny day’

As you listen to this song, you might feel like reflecting on the positive things that have happened to you. In Genesis, we learn that it rained for 40 days and 40 nights. It took a year for Noah to find land! But guess what was there after a hard year afloat? A rainbow. What were some times that made your day a little brighter? When did the “dark clouds” lift for you? Reflect and thank God for the “sunshiny” days that he brings you.

Check out this beautiful duet from a pair of musical siblings who perform the timeless classic ‘What a Wonderful World.’ The musicians are Karolina Protsenko on violin and her little brother Leo, who is 7 years old and playing the piano. This is one talented family!

‘I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world’

What a sweet and heartwarming duet! You can feel the love in the music while Karolina and Leo play so beautifully together. And many people on the streets are enjoying the lovely sight of the brother and sister playing together as they stop to admire them and listen to their music. Many people online also shared how much they enjoy listening to the Protsenko perform together.

“‘What A Wonderful World’ always makes me smile and also brings tears to my eyes at the same time. What a beautiful and sweet performance, Karolina and Leo. Bravo!” one person comments online.

“A great Louis Amstrong classic and a very good arrangement for violin and piano. Thank you Karolina and Leo!” writes another person online.

When it comes to Karolina’s background, she is an incredible violin player who is 16 years old and shares videos online of her violin performances. And not only does she bring smiles to the people who watch her perform in person, but she also brings happiness to those who see her joyful performances online in her videos. Her passion and dedication to her craft is a sight to see! 

Her little brother, Leo, also has a passion for music. He is particularly interested in piano, violin, and singing. This family is dedicated to their musical talents, and it is wonderful seeing them use their gifts to bring joy to others!

We hope that this performance of ‘What a Wonderful World’ brightened your day!

The Woodstock, Georgia native Slater Nalley stunned the judges and audience with his moving performance of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” during the first of two Disney-themed nights of ‘American Idol,’ Season 23. At 18 years old, the singer and songwriter demonstrates maturity in his voice and his character!

Slater calls himself a ‘Lovett Lifer,’ referring to the school he attended from kindergarten through his senior year. The Lovett School in Atlanta gave Slater the opportunity to perform in musicals and explore his interests, while offering a holistic approach to education which “inspires curious minds, cultivates joyful spirits, builds strong bodies, and shapes good character, all while fostering compassion and empathy.” It also brought him and Mrs. Davis together. 

Mrs. Michele Davis was a teacher at Slater’s at The Lovett School. She is also the parent of Carter Davis, who was killed at the age of 17 in a random shooting in 2016. Slater had heard about Carter long before meeting Mrs. Davis, and, when they did get to know each other, Michele asked Slater to read a poem she’d written after her son’s death. Slater took the poem and wrote a song in honor of Carter. 

It was that song, ‘Traces of You,’ that Slater performed during his ‘American Idol’ audition, and it was Mrs. Davis who introduced Slater to the panel of judges. Slater’s moving audition performance of the original song earned him a ticket to Hollywood, and, weeks later, he performed ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’ from Disney’s 1994 animated feature film ‘The Lion King.’ 

While his rendition of ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’ is entirely different from the one we remember from the movie, his fans loved it. Commenters wrote: “his voice is mesmerizing” and “Slater just gave Elton John his country twang and I love it” and that Slater is like “some Bob Dylan mixed with a sprinkle of Joe Cocker.” Wow!

On the second Disney night, Slater sang—without his guitar—’You’ve Got a Friend in Me.’ And, though he did not continue on to the top three, he posted a gracious goodbye on social media, saying, “American Idol, thank you for giving me this opportunity and the fans, thank you so much for bringing me such joy, so much joy, getting me this far. I never thought I’d make it this far. I really just appreciate you all, so grateful for this.”  

“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Psalms 9:1

You may have a new favorite artist when you hear the beloved hit, ‘Drift Away,’ given new life in this fantastic, soulful cover by Dave Fenley! The singer-songwriter, according to his website, “meet[s] at the intersection of Country and Soul,” and, with this performance, demonstrates his incredible vocal gifts!

Born on October 15, 1979 in Lufkin, East Texas, Dave has been on a musical journey for a while. As a kid, he sang in the children’s choir of the Southern Baptist Church in which he was raised. He began writing his own songs when he was 15 and picked up the guitar when he turned 18. While much of his childhood was spent in Texas, his family moved to Canada when he was a teen, and, there, he was exposed to new music and influences. 

Dave dropped out of college to pursue music full-time, and he landed spots on two of the most famous talent shows on television. He competed on  America’s Got Talent (Season 8) in 2013 and ‘The Voice’ (Season 15) in 2018. He made it to the semi-finals on ‘AGT’ and was eliminated just before making it into the top 8 spots on The Voice.   

These days, the Texas native performs concerts in North America and Europe, has 604K subscribers to his YouTube channel, has recorded albums, and delivers stirring covers of classics—all with the motto of “spread love like peanut butter.” That’s not a bad way to live!

Here, his vibe and singing match the lyrics of ‘Drift Away,’ written in 1970 by Mentor Williams and first recorded by Mike Berry in 1972. The song discussed how music helps us deal with stress in our lives, and Dave’s rendition is incredibly soothing and relaxing, though not lazy nor lacking in any way! 

Here are four lines from ‘Drift Away’:

‘And when my mind is free
You know a melody can move me
And when I'm feelin' blue
The guitar's comin' through to soothe me’

Boy, aren’t we blessed to have good music and talented men and women to share it with the world!

 “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.” Psalms 62:5

American Idol contestant Thunderstorm Artis captivates with an enchanting ‘Colors of the Wind’ cover on Sunday’s ‘Disney Night’ on American Idol. It’s the most gentle and sweet version of the ‘Pocahontas’ song you’ll ever hear. Watch the clip to see how he earns a standing ovation from the judges. 

In a clip shared on YouTube, the 29-year-old musician stands on a large stage, guitar in hand. A grayscale ‘Pocahontas’ portrait is cast over the stage as he begins to sing. He’s accompanied by the violin, cello, and some other instruments. As he sings with his unique, strong, and gentle voice, the gray stage gradually comes alive with colors and beautiful images matching Pocahontas and the song’s lyrics. The setup perfectly matches the meaning of the song. 

Some of the ‘Disney’ classic song lyrics are:

‘Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon?
Or asked the grinning bobcat why he grinned?
Can you sing with all the voices of the mountain?
Can you paint with all the colors of the wind?’

Thunderstorm’s amazing voice mixed with instruments and stage effects results in an incredible performance. He had the audience standing and waving their hands back in forth to the music. The song is a great choice. ‘Pocahontas’ is one of the older and less-talked-about ‘Disney’ animations, but it has some really wonderful music. Thunderstorm more than proved that on the American Idol stage. 

Though the movie highlights a different kind of religion, for those who believe in God, the song can serve as a reminder of how beautiful and mysterious his creations are. 

“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.” Ecclesiastes 3 :11

Check out this beautiful rendition from singer Lucy Thomas of the song ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You.’ Her voice is incredible, and this is such a lovely tribute to the wonderful Oliva Newton-John. We hope you enjoy this amazing performance!

‘Guess mine is not the first heart broken
My eyes are not the first to cry
I'm not the first to know
There's just no getting over you’

Lucy really hit this one out of the park! Her voice is so angelic and full of warmth. When it comes to her background, Lucy Thomas is 21 years old and from Wigan, Lancashire, in England. She shares a lot of recordings online of both covers and original songs, and many people love seeing her videos.

“Lucy, you have the voice of an angel. You embody everything that is pure and divine. You have been destined to bring peace and happiness to millions through the power of music. Each new performance from you sets a new benchmark. Never ever stop singing!” comments one of her fans online after seeing this video.

“It is difficult to put into words how I feel when I hear you singing this song. It takes me to a different time. I thank you for what you do. Beautiful last note!” writes another person online.

Lucy has used her beautiful voice to record multiple albums. Most recently, she released her fifth studio album titled ‘Beyond’ following the release of her first four albums ‘Premiere,’ ‘Encore,’ ‘Timeless,’ and ‘Destiny.’

As for the hit song ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You,’ it was written and produced by John Farrar and originally recorded and performed by Olivia Newton-John for the film version of the musical ‘Grease’ in 1978.

We hope you enjoyed watching Lucy Thomas sing her amazing rendition of ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’ today!

Check out American Idol contestant John Foster wow the audience and judges with his rendition of Bonnie Raitt’s 'Something to Talk About.' His smooth voice and confident stage presence make for a great performance. And the audience and judges couldn’t help but clap and dance along to John Foster’s singing!

‘People are talking, talkin' 'bout people
I hear them whisper you won't believe it
They think we're lovers kept undercover
I'll just ignore it, but they keep sayin' we’

What a great song choice for John Foster! He is very talented, and the judges – Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie – were clearly pleased with this performance. They all had big smiles on their faces the entire time!

Many people online also shared how big of a fan they are of John Foster.

“Talent off the charts! He is the complete authentic package! Love him!” comments one person online.

“That was another great performance. John has been consistent and makes borrowed songs his. That deep chest voice and baritone vocal treats are his sweet spots, and his tones are wonderful, sounding so country. I think he’s heading for the finale,” writes another person.

The song ‘Something to Talk About’ that John Foster performed was one of Bonnie Raitt’s biggest hits. The song was written by Canadian singer-songwriter Shirley Eikhard and recorded by Bonnie Raitt in 1991 for her album Luck of the Draw. The song became popular on multiple formats of radio and peaked at number five on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, number 12 on the Album Rock Tracks chart, and number five on the Hot 100. ‘Something to Talk About’ became Bonnie Raitt's highest-charting hit and her only single to reach the top 10 on the chart.

We hope you enjoyed watching this fun performance from American Idol contestant John Foster today!

This teen’s violin rendition of ABBA's ‘Waterloo’ wows and amazes, drawing onlookers from a bustling city street. The young lady dazzles as she spins on her violin, playing ABBA’s ‘Waterloo.’ Watch the clip to see how she amazes the crowd with her talents. 

In a clip posted on YouTube, 16-year-old Karolina Protesenko smiles at the camera before she begins her cover of ABBA’s ‘Waterloo.’ She dives in right away, full of energy, twirling and swaying as she plays in the busy street. Many American onlookers soon surround her, watching, clapping, and videoing her performance, and it’s easy to see why she’s stunned the crowd. The talent she displays is tremendous. 

Karolina, who was born in Ukraine before moving to America, also attempts other challenging covers on her YouTube channel, with songs like Queen’s ‘We Are The Champions,’ The Beatles’ ‘Twist and Shout,’ and Alphaville’s ‘Forever Young.’ At just 16, she has an impressive track record; her cover of “Pirates Of The Caribbean” has garnered nearly 4 million views. 

‘Waterloo’ is a daring cover—it’s an unusual song to hear on the violin. The original song, which came out in 1974, features upbeat vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, bass, piano, drums, and an array of brass instruments. It has a range of beats that make it hard to keep up with, but Karolina makes it look easy. To hear the pop song on a delicate string instrument like the violin is something pleasantly uncanny to behold. 

“This song is full of energy and fun, and I loved bringing it to life with my violin 🎶,” Karolina said. “Hope it makes you smile and dance a little today! 😊💃✨”

Performing a song like that, which few violinists dare to attempt, is no small feat. Her practice and hard work have turned into a wonderful thing of beauty for us to see and hear. What an inspiration she is!

A young woman dazzles with her cover of The Carpenters' song, ‘Close to You,’ in a new YouTube video posted this month. She makes singing look easy, but the way she controls her voice to carry such a beautiful melody is no small feat. Watch the clip to hear her cover of the timeless love song. 

Singer Connie Talbot originally shared her voice with the world on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ at the age of 6, when she sang ‘Over the Rainbow.’ She holds two Guinness World Records: for being the youngest UK artist ever to reach the charts and the youngest ever to have a gold record. Now at the age of 24, she’s still a singing phenomenon, as she shares her music at performances across the world and covers songs like ‘Close to You’ and ‘Slipping Through My Fingers’ on her YouTube channel. 

Connie does not try to put her own spin on the classic romance song. She simply sings the familiar tune with her dazzling voice, but the result is nonetheless enchanting. You’ll instantly recognize the tune when you hear it. Connie sings it slowly and with emotion. She honors the original hit song by keeping the tone slightly melancholy and full of longing. 

The song ‘Close to You’ was originally written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and sung by The Carpenters duo in 1970. It’s all about seeing the beauty of the one you love and that feeling of being magnetically drawn to them. The lyrics are thoughtfully written and very elegant. Some of the lines are:

‘Why do stars fall down from the sky
Every time you walk by?
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you’

“My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.” Song-of-Solomon 2 :16

A sweet busker delivers a beautiful, smooth ‘My Girl’ cover that will leave you smiling. It was just an ordinary afternoon in Dublin. One of those golden, slow-moving days where the cobblestones seem to hum with old stories, and the sky holds the kind of light that makes everything look a little more like heaven.

You were out for nothing in particular—just breathing in the city, wandering through windows full of books, vintage dresses, and tucked-away bakeries. A sip here, a nibble there. The kind of day you tuck away in your heart like a secret prayer. And then you heard it.

The first few notes of a familiar tune curled into the air, warm and full like honey melting in sunshine of ‘My Girl,’ by The Temptations. It’s an old favorite song that carries timeless moments in its chords, the kind of classic that sneaks into your soul and stirs up memories like wind through tall grass. There she was—Vicka.

A young woman, guitar in hand, eyes dancing, a smile blooming wide as she tapped her foot and strummed the first bars. She didn’t just play—she became the music, so sweet and smooth. Her joy of playing lit up the street. And just as she sang that first sweet line, she smiled and rocked her guitar—right there on the sidewalk—as if every note had been written just for her to sing in that very moment. You stopped. Because how could you not?

That melody—oh, it pulled you back, to porches in the heat of July with bare feet propped on painted rails. To moments of swirling hand in hand with your sweetheart, laughing between lyrics. To long summer drives with the windows down and the radio up, the song echoing across endless stretches of road and time.

And maybe for a second, your eyes welled up. Not with sadness, but with something deeper. That ache that comes when your heart recognizes joy. The sacred kind. The kind that says, You’ve lived. You’ve loved. And you’re still here to remember. That’s the blessed gift of music.

It has the power to lift us up and gently carry us back to the sweetest chapters of our story. To make our hearts dance all over again. In the middle of an ordinary afternoon in Dublin—or wherever you might be.

So if you were lucky enough to hear Vicka today, singing like the streets were a stage built just for her, we hope it wrapped you in a melody of memories. We hope it reminded you of love, laughter, and the simple joy of being fully present in one beautiful moment. Isn’t it sweet?

Zephaniah 3:17  “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

“Pure Imagination” has received the makeover treatment, getting a beautiful, jazzy cover. You'll want to listen to this version of the song from the beloved film “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” repeatedly. Watch the short clip to hear the delightfully smooth, jazzy cover of “Pure Imagination.”

Musicians covering, reinventing and building upon the work of other artists is a tradition that has been around for some time, likely since the beginning of music itself. So, it’s a practice that will almost certainly continue long into the future. As long as musicians are creating, writing and recording original music, others will no doubt cover those tunes.

In a clip posted on YouTube, a pair of musicians covers a well-known and loved song: “Pure Imagination.” Instead of simply covering the song, Postmodern Jukebox makes the tune their own and takes it in a different direction from the original version. It’s a lovely, smooth jazz rendition.

The woman, Tawanda, singing the tune, has a lovely voice, giving those iconic and familiar lyrics an entirely new sound and feel. You can almost see Willy Wonka leading those children and their parents on a tour through his candy factory as she sings. The song and that movie undoubtedly bring up a lot of nostalgic feelings and memories for many.

“Come with me and you’ll be
In a world of pure imagination
Reach out, touch what was once
Just in your imagination”

Even those who are huge fans of the original song and the film from which it comes, “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” starring the late Gene Wilder, are still likely to enjoy this new version of “Pure Imagination.”

This is a delightful and really unique cover of a song that is beloved by many.

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 Gaither Vocal Band dazzled with their cover of “I Just Called to Say I Love You.” The group’s live rendition of the Stevie Wonder classic is not to be missed and is likely one you’ll want to listen to multiple times. Watch the short but delightful clip to hear the guys perform “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” a tune near and dear to the hearts of many.

Love songs are a dime a dozen. It’s a subject that has kept singers and songwriters busy and employed for hundreds of years. Nearly every song you hear on Spotify, Apple Music or the radio has to do with love in one way or another. There is no way to get away from love songs. If you’re listening to music, chances are good that the tune is a love song.

Of course, we all know there are different kinds of love, and therefore, different kinds of love songs. When it comes to songs that express romantic love, few are more iconic and memorable than Stevie Wonder’s 1984 hit “I Just Called to Say I Love You.” It’s a simple song, but the beautiful lyrics get stuck in your head. Hear it once and you’ll be humming it the rest of the day.

In a clip posted on YouTube, the Gaither Vocal Band gives a marvelous cover performance as they sing the song originally performed by Stevie Wonder. Their stunning harmonies, combined with those lyrics, make their rendition of the classic literal music to the ears.

“I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart”

As the song’s lyrics state, gifts and presents might be nice, but all anyone really wants to hear is “I love you” and how much someone cares for them.

1 Corinthians 13:13 “But now we still have faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”

You’ll be amazed how this Elvis cover wows, earns a golden buzzer, and sparks an emotional reaction with the ‘Ireland’s Got Talent’ crowd. Barry Darcy, 38, has a nearly identical baritone to the legendary '50s singer, and it’s remarkable.  In a clip posted on ‘Ireland’s Got Talent’s’ YouTube, Barry can be seen tearing up before his performance of ‘The Wonder of You.’

When asked why he was there, he struggled to keep tears back, saying, “I thought I’d never sing again. So, I’m here.” Darcy previously had a herniated disc that impacted his nerves from the waist down. There was a 50% chance that he’d never walk again. 

But he did walk again. He stood tall on the stage, prepared to share his awe-inspiring gift with the world. When he sang the first note, the judges looked immediately pleased and impressed. A minute later, they all had their hands up, waving them back and forth to the sound of Barry’s deep voice. At the end of the performance, the judges gave a standing ovation, and judge Louis Walsh slammed the golden buzzer, guaranteeing Barry’s passage to the live semi-finals in the competition. 

Barry’s motivation for sharing his voice was his family—his wife and two sons. 

“It means a lot to me now ‘cause I sat back in that wheelchair and I saw what they were doing for me,” Barry explained, “and having to carry on with their own lives while dealing with what was going on with me and the words in that song… When no one else comes, comes family and they did understand, and they understood very well what was going on with me, and ‘The Wonder of You’ [expresses] how wonderful you people are to me.”

His cover of the song is an incredible wonder in itself. Regardless of any emotional attachment, Barry’s performance is astonishing. But isn't his experience a great reminder of how God turns difficult situations into something beautiful?

During a class performance, a young man surprised many with his jaw-dropping dance moves. From the crowd's reaction, it was clear no one was expecting to see those types of dance steps during the school performance. Watch the short but stunning clip to see the youngster’s fancy footwork and hear how the audience responded.

Dance is one of the toughest, if not the most difficult, art forms. Some people study and practice dance for years and still may only be a passable dancer. It requires many hours of intense, highly focused practice and determination. It also doesn’t hurt if you have some natural athleticism and talent.

When dance is done poorly, and someone clearly has no idea what they are doing on the dance floor, it’s easily one of the worst sights in the world. However, when someone possesses some talent and knows what to do on the dance floor, it can be one of the most impressive, captivating sights. That was what happened when one young man unexpectedly demonstrated his fancy footwork during a school performance.

In the video posted on YouTube, the young man and his class were on stage singing and dancing when he did something unexpected. The little ones were performing “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors. Everything was going as planned until the song reached the chorus. That is when the young man in the front row decided to bust a move and add something extra to their performance.

Soon after the young man began demonstrating his smooth moves, the crowd let out a handful of laughs and giggles. They were clearly not expecting to see someone move about the stage with such skill.

He was definitely enjoying his time on stage and took full advantage of his moment in the spotlight.

Psalm 149:3 “Let them give praise to his name in the dance: let them make melody to him with instruments of brass and corded instruments of music.”

When Thunderstorm Artis stunned the ‘American Idol’ judges and audience with his stirring rendition of ‘Fire and Rain’—well, it felt super appropriate! With a name like his, the Oahu, Hawaii native seemed destined to deliver an incredible performance of James Taylor’s 1970 hit song! 

Thunderstorm is the name that the 29-year-old singer and guitarist was given at birth. He told Carrie Underwood, during his ‘American Idol’ audition, that his mother had expected twins and planned to name one Thunder and the other Storm. When there was only one baby, she combined the two into one very powerful name. 

Having landed in third place on ‘The Voice’ back in 2020, Thunderstorm auditioned for ‘American Idol’ when he was 28. With a cutoff age of 30, he decided to take one last chance at winning a national talent competition. Thunderstorm shared, “Now five years later, I just feel like I’m a different man and a different artist, and I’m looking forward to saying, ‘Hey, America, do you remember me?’ and just showing them who I am.”  

Thunderstorm’s voice has a nice rasp, and his version of ‘Fire and Rain’ is more dramatic, soulful, and intense than the original we all know and love. And, while it is different, Thunderstorm’s performance is striking! The judges, poker-faced, watch Thunderstorm’s performance intently, but standing ovations by Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan confirm their approval. 

Thunderstorm admits that he was “terrified” of competing on a second reality competition show, but he has now secured his spot in the top 8 of this season’s ‘American Idol.’ As he sings, Thunderstorm shares a smile like the sunny days that Mr. Taylor wrote about in his song’s chorus. It seems not to end! And, why not? The ‘American Idol’ competitor told Parade, “I have two kids now, I have a wonderful wife, and I am in a different season of life.”

Whether Thunderstorm becomes ‘American Idol’s’ next winner or not, there’s no doubt he’ll continue to bless Nashville, which is where he now lives with his family, and other far-flung places with his music!  

“The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.” Psalms 29:3

The Gardiner brothers lit up the dance floor to “Old Time Rock and Roll.” The two supremely talented dancers showed off their impressive moves once again, this time to the Bob Seger classic. Watch the short but immensely enjoyable clip to see the two brothers strut their stuff to “Old Time Rock and Roll.”

Dance is easily the most demanding and most challenging art form. It requires hours and hours of highly focused, determined practice, and even after all that, someone may still only be a passable dancer. Walking out on the dance floor and moving around to music does not make someone a dancer. Many people may attempt to dance, but only a few really can.

The award-winning, five-time world champion Gardiner brothers are two people who can most certainly dance. They have demonstrated their moves in dozens of videos posted on social media, with the next one more delightful than the last. In yet another showcase of their fancy footwork, the guys strut their stuff to the Bob Seger classic, “Old Time Rock and Roll.”

In the clip posted on social media, the guys begin their dance number in a very familiar and recognizable way. They both slide into frame as the song starts, just like Tom Cruise in the 1983 film “Risky Business.” From that point forward, it’s an enchanting display of talent and skill. The dancing duo moves and kicks their feet and legs at a frenetic, unbelievably fast pace. It’s an absolutely mesmerizing display.  You are simply unable to look away!

As impressive as their speed is, the most remarkable part of their routine is how in sync they are with one another. Yes, they are moving at an impressive rate, but there is never a moment when one makes a false move or falls behind.

What an incredible display!

Psalm 149:3 “Let them give praise to his name in the dance: let them make melody to him with instruments of brass and corded instruments of music.”

An 11-year-old brought the house down with a rockin’ Golden Buzzer performance on Britain’s Got Talent. The youngster displayed his immense, mind-blowing musical talent with a medley of some of the most beloved, iconic rock songs of all time. Watch the short but awe-inspiring clip to see and hear this little guy’s outstanding performance on the Britain’s Got Talent stage.

No two people are the same. God creates originals, not replicas and duplicates. Everyone has been gifted with a different set of skills and talents. Some may be more apparent than others, but everyone has been given something. Shows like American Idol, The Voice, America’s Got Talent and Britain’s Got Talent have given these often-overlooked, ignored people a platform to show off their skills and gifts for decades.

Those programs even give some of the youngest, most disregarded people a chance to show everyone what they’ve got. Despite their young age and limited life experience, children have a knack for rising to the occasion and surprising when the bright lights are on them. That was most certainly the case when one young man, 11-year-old Olly, took the stage.

In a clip posted on YouTube, the miniature rocker lit up the stage, putting on a show that you aren’t likely to forget for some time. The little guy absolutely owned the stage. He shredded on the guitar, playing a medley of some of the biggest rock songs ever. He kicked things off with AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” and quickly transitioned into Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and finished up the fabulous performance with Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.”

The little rocker had everyone on their feet applauding, unable to believe what they had just witnessed. It was a fantastic display of talent. Simon Cowell loved Olly’s performance so much that he wasted no time slamming the Golden Buzzer, causing confetti to rain down onto the stage and sending the young man into the finals.

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.”