Music & Friends, and "Rawrly's" Show!

This Sunday, we had some very special people come and visit us.

But let me start at the beginning.

Back about 5 years ago, when Rachel was in the 5th grade, she and a friend performed in a talent show. I knew what song they were going to sing, but I didn't know how it was going to turn out. Rachel would not practice it at home for me. But, it was good enough at the tryouts to get her a spot, so I tried not to worry too much. But how could I not worry, a little? I had never really heard her sing by herself.

I need not have worried. She and her friend came out and sang their song and they blew me and everyone else away that day.

About six months earlier, the Baileys - a really great couple - had moved into your ward. They and their visiting adult children were soon asked to perform a hymn. I was in the mother's room at the time, nursing my newborn Tanner. This little boy usually paused for nothing while eating, but that day during that song, he did. He turned his head toward the music coming from the speakers while the family beautifully harmonized, and was completely silent, and only resumed nursing once the song was done. All I can say is it was just like angels had just sung. Oh, the power of music.

So after the talent show, I took Rachel to these wonderful people for some vocal training. They had taught all of their children to sing - and had recorded several CD's amongst them. This was a great opportunity, but it wasn't Rachel's cup of tea at that time. But a couple years later, we visited them in Utah after they had moved, and she sang for them there. And their son, J. Michael Bailey, sang for us and gave her his newest CD. And Rachel was blown away by his talent, and they were very complimentary and encouraging of hers.

This weekend we got a call from them. They were traveling up from Utah to pick up their 5th wheel, which they had left behind when they moved. So we invited a bunch of our friends over for our informal annual music night. We had the greatest time.

I wish that I could have posted a video of everyone singing. But for some reason it wouldn't load.

So the next day, this Monday, Mark was helping them get their truck ready to make the trip, and they got to talking. The subject of Rachel's guitar came up, how her sound would improve so much if she had a better instrument. The one she had been using that we had purchased at Costco was great for her as a beginner, but now that she has been performing in public a little bit, it was time to upgrade. (And we had promised her a new guitar at some point, in reward for the massive amount of babysitting that she has always done for us).

So Mark and the Baileys were down to the music store and picked out an awesome Taylor for her.

What a thrill to have her instrument picked out for her by someone who really knows guitars.

And when we brought it home and she started to play it, the sound was so much better that I just burst into tears! Just sobbed, because I wish that we had gotten it for her sooner.

Here is J. Michael Bailey playing on the instrument that he picked out for her.

The next night, Rachel had another performance in Spokane.
(Her stage name is "Rawrly")

Here she is, singing Marilyn Manson's "Dope Show". (Let me do a little mom-gag here)

In her intro she paid me a little tribute about our adventure together.

(Sorry, but I can't figure out how to flip the video)

Here is the song she did for an encore. . . "Linger" . She was totally not prepared to sing this one, but -

I may be slightly biased, but I think she did great!