Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center off to great start 

John Miller - Executive Editor  THE EXPONENT TELEGRAM | Jul 26, 2018

Wow. 

We don’t know what’s more impressive: The Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center landing talk show host/comedian Jay Leno and legendary rock band Guess Who as lead performers for their grand opening or selling out that Oct. 20 concert in less than two hours. 

Yes. Two hours.

Granted, the Robinson Grand has limited seating of 1,010. But that’s the perfect size venue to see comedians like Leno and Bill Engvall, of Blue Collar Comedy Tour fame, who will play the theater Nov. 17. 

And the theater is perfect for hosting the Grand Performance Series, a four-concert slate that opens Sept. 30 with Maureen McGovern, a Grammy-nominated singer and Broadway performer. 

It will also be a great place to listen to Paul Cardall, a gifted pianist who works across several genres, but serves to inspire not only with his music but his story of overcoming health conditions. He will play the Robinson Grand Nov. 16, fittingly as a benefit for Healthy Harrison. 

Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center Executive Director Ryan Tolley and Clarksburg City Manager Martin Howe, both driving forces in the theater’s great start, should be applauded for their performance. 

What has been accomplished thus far is fantastic, and the buzz around the region is that people can’t wait to see the new and improved Robinson Grand, an iconic theater that has long been a part of Clarksburg’s downtown allure. 

The potential is nearly endless, from touring Broadway stage shows, to top-flight comedians and concerts from a variety of genres, including gospel, contemporary Christian, country, rock and classical. 

When you team the Robinson Grand up with the Clarksburg Amphitheater, which has also enjoyed great success, Clarksburg finds itself with two top-flight entertainment venues which should be able to draw people to the area.

The hope is that the Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center will help spark further development by increasing foot traffic. And thus far, Tolley and his staff have done well in setting up an impressive lineup of events, from star-studded concerts to Sunday afternoon movies. 

From its Aug. 4 “soft opening,” which is open to the public for the nominal fee of $10 and includes several performers, to May 19, 2019, the theater has already scheduled 19 events, which do not include private events. 

And we’re sure that Tolley isn’t done lining up more performances as the area native appears to have a knack for this business. 

Maybe its our great hope for the Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center’s success, but we truly believe the renovated theater can make a huge difference for Clarksburg — and North Central West Virginia. 

That’s the overwhelming feeling that we’re sensing with the Robinson Grand. It has that something special, that certain appeal. In the entertainment world they call it that “wow factor” that guarantees success. 

All we can say is wow, wow, wow.

Read the Article

THE CHRISTIAN BEAT

Wednesday, 20 June 2018 | Written by Herb Longs

Recording artist and producer Paul Cardall has chosen to use his voice to speak out on behalf of Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), a non-profit organization that takes a very unique approach to battling child-trafficking worldwide. The group was founded in 2013 by Tim Ballard, a former Special Agent for the Department of Homeland Security who spent time working undercover for the Child Sex Tourism Jump Team. O.U.R. partners with law enforcement around the world to help with the extraction of children caught in the trafficking situations. 

Cardall was recently in Washington D.C. for the launch of the George Washington Museum of American History, of which Ballard is a part. After the two spent time meeting about O.U.R., Cardall felt an urgency to be a part of the solution to this massive issue. 

“As I listened to Tim talk about his work, and watched an upcoming documentary about the No. 1 problem of our generation, I was sick to my stomach,” Cardall explains. “I consider myself an abolitionist and I want to do everything that I can to help rescue these children. My wife Tina and I have gone twice to Thailand, on mission trips to rescue girls who work as sex slaves in clubs, and after speaking with Tim, I’m learning that it happens in the United States. 73 million children under the age of 12 are slaves for the purpose of sex, labor, and illegal organ harvesting. As a father, and an organ recipient, this is absolutely unacceptable in our lifetime, and it’s pure evil.” In support of the cause, Cardall launched a fundraiser via his Facebook page. The goal of $10,000 was raised in less than 7 days, but donations continue to accrue. The significance of the $10,000 target is that, according to O.U.R., it is the price to buy a child on the black market. The money will be donated directly to O.U.R. to fund their next extraction.

READ THE ARTICLE

Faith Filled Family Magazine June 2018 Issue

by Vernita Simmons

When you listen to the musical selections on Worth of Souls, you know this is not just another contemporary Christian album. is is a selection of chosen psalms to stir your heart and encourage your soul. “ is album is a tool—a med- ication—to help people feel something hopeful,” Cardall states. And without a doubt, this project is that and so much more. World-renowned pianist, com- poser, and producer, Paul Cardall have done an exceptional job in presenting an album that will sure to prove how music can help others overcome hardships and recognize you are of substantial worth.

His roles as an award-winning lm composer, musician, and producer, have found him collab-orating with such stellar artists as CeCe Winans, Audrey Assad, The Piano Guys Ellee Duke, Kenz Hall, and more. He spans many genres including Classical Crossover, Contemporary Chris-tian, and New Age, and in doing so has garnered 3 #1 albums on the Billboard charts. 

The star-studded project has already hit #6 on the Amazon charts and on iTunes has hit the Top 10 out of 150 new releases. Now with more than 2 BILLION lifetime digital streams, he cur-rently averages over 25 million streams monthly. Released on April 27 of this year and Co-pro-duced by Trevor Price which is being released on Cardall’s Stone Angel Music label, Worth of Souls, is sure to reveal to lis-teners that they have a huge value—that they have worth. Please give a heartfelt welcome to Paul Cardall. 

Among Paul Cardall many ac- complishments, you are also a speaker and philanthropist. You are originally from Salt Lake City, Utah. Tell us more about who you are. 

Born and raised in Salt Lake. My ancestors came from England, Denmark, and The Netherlands. My parents recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary so I’m one of the fortunate ones to have been raised in a very supportive and loving home. I have 8 siblings who are all mar-ried with children. Because I was born with a complex congenital heart defect, doctors told my parents I wouldn’t survive.

Fortunately, a surgeon opened my infant chest and corrected some of the deformed heart. I had numerous surgeries grow-ing up and was drawn to music over sports. 

During college, I established a music career signing with Vir-gin Records and later going in-dependent. My congenital heart disease and my talent led me speaking by invitation to hun-dreds, if not thousands of med-ical related events as well as church testimonies. 

My career was put on hold when I was listed for a heart trans-plant. I waited 385 days. During that time friends did a fundrais-er for our family and after I sur-vived, received numerous invi-tations to share my story in all kinds of venues; from Nursing medical conferences, American Heart Association conferences, to Youth conferences and much more. I observed a lot of heart patients forgo college because medical bills take the place of tuition. So, we created an en-dowment at Salt Lake Commu-nity College (SLCC) and offer full tuition waiver scholarships to students affected by congen-ital heart disease. It’s been a joy to see these students continue on with their education after the scholarship expires. We chose SLCC because it’s more afford-able than the Universities. 

Please share your journey in becoming a music composer and producer? 

As mentioned above, I was drawn to music from an early age. All of my paper-route mon-ey went to buying records and cassettes. I spent hours at the record store sampling. Piano music became popular in the 80s and 90s and I was drawn to the style of George Winston, Yanni, and Enya. I liked how pop and classical music were com-bined to make a catchy tune. I sat at the piano and tried mim-icking, discovering I could create my own music. 

The piano was a puzzle and ev-ery day as a teenager I spent hours putting the pieces to-gether without any formal train-ing. A friend mine passed away shortly before graduation and I was led to the piano. I wrote my rst song. At that moment God put on my heart that all was well. I shared the music with my friends’ parents and their friends. It was like a calling, God leading me to create music, to help alle-viate suffering and pain. My mu-sic is a tool or a resource to help people access God’s love. Music doesn’t heal us. God heals us. I’m trying to help people get in the right frame of mind with the music so their thoughts turn to Him. 

You say this album will be a “prescription for people who are struggling with depression or a feeling of being lost.” Tell us more about the purpose of Worth Of Souls? Why do you have such a deep concern for those are suffering from depression? 

Depression is growing problem in our society. Suicide continues to plague us. I’ve lost a handful of friends and, ironically, the heart beating in my chest after the transplant came from a young man who signed up to be an organ donor and then took his life. Families are so deeply affected when there is sadness, grief, de-pression, and when those they love give up. Music has clinical-ly been proven to change our mood, our thoughts, and thus how we behave. Each song on Worth of Souls was handpicked because the lyrics and the music counter negative feelings and restore con dence by anchoring our hope in Jesus, for He is Wor-thy of it all, and He wants to heal us. 

The project features per- formances by an array of award-winning artists such as Kenz Hall, Jordan Moyes, Ashley Hess, Ellee Duke, Charley Jenkins, Sierra Lauren, Jor- dan Moyes, Jim Daneker, Trev- or Price, Ashley Hess, Justin Williams and Emily Bea. What was it like working on this al- bum with such artists?. When choosing artists for such an incredible project what exact- ly do you look for? 

This was an altruistic project. Each of these artists is unique. They are pop, country, and sing-er/songwriters. Most of them have never written Christian mu-sic although they are Christian. So, it was a beautiful challenge for some of them like Ellee Duke who was recruited to be on Amer-ican Idol and turned it down be-cause she was writing in Nash-ville and already touring with LeAnn Rimes. Her tune, “Lift Me Out” is a hit song. Wow! The lyric she gave us describes the battle we all go through... “The war in my mind that I couldn’t nd my way out of and you were stand-ing there with all of Your love.” It’s beautiful... Kenz Hall and Justin Williams were on Ameri-can Idol and did very well on the show. Charley Jenkins worked in Nashville on Music Row as a country artist and writer before leaving to carve out his niche playing rodeos, fairs, festivals, opening for everyone from Tay-lor Swift to Jason Aldean. Emily Bera, Ashley Hess, Jordan Moy-es, and Sierra Lauren are great singer/songwriters and have such a love of the Lord that it was a no-brainer to ask them to be part of the project. Not one of the artists ever questioned the pur-pose—-everyone was on board throughtheproductionprocess, excited, anxious to share God’s love through music. Trevor Price produced the project with me and performs on the album. Jim Daneker is Michael W. Smith’s musical director, who not only is producing my personal Christ-mas album for this year, but he contributed a beautiful piano piece called “The Homecoming.” Everyone was exceptional, and each had a powerful experience with God doing this project. 

This album project features 13 handpicked contemporary Christian songs, to convey a heartfelt message to each listener. Among such songs are How Can It Be, Oceans, Come As You Are, and the ti- tle track, Worth Of Souls. Why did you choose these partic- ular songs? Who do you feelwould bene t the most fromhearing the message in these songs? 

Half of the album are original songs. I wrote “Lay It Down” and “Worth of Souls.” Jordan Moyes wrote “O Glorious Day.” Ellee Duke wrote, “Lift Me Out.” Emily Bea wrote “Push & Pull.” We also wanted some songs that have already proven powerfully effec-tive at helping people feel God’s love. “How Can It Be,” “Come As You Are”, “Redeemed”, “Tears of The Saints”, and “Oceans” are beloved worldwide. Our version of “Oceans” feels like an original tune because it’s fully orchestrat-ed with a gentle acoustic guitar and the voice of Jordan Moyes, whose music feels and sounds like John Mayer (if Mayer sang for God). The lyrics are the main reason we chose these songs. When we listen to music, the messagesinksintooursub-con-science. Lyrics that preach and teach the word of God changes us and makes us better people. 

In 1999, you founded Stone Angel Music: a label provid- ing services in artist devel- opment, merchandising, and recording. And you have nine signed artists and has re- leased over 50 instrumental and compilation albums. Now, that’s impressive. Tell us more about your record label? What do your genres include?

Stone Angel Music began in 1999 when I decided to leave Virgin Records and go indepen-dent. The problem was that there is this genre of music called “New Age” and the new agers sort of hi-jacked that genre and it became associated with their form of spirituality. I’m a Chris-tian. I love Jesus. The heart of my music and all I do is God. The artists who we would sign to the label were artists who per-formed with me on stage or I was familiar with their values. Steven Sharp Nelson, a cellist, was per-forming with me and a handful of other Christians from the Rocky Mountain region. We released a cello album, Sacred Cello, fea-turing some hymns and originals and he never thought it would sell. Not only did the album de-but on the Classical Billboard chart above Yo-Yo Ma, but Steve has gone on to create “The Pia-no Guys” who perform arenas all over the world and have music videos seen by hundreds of mil-lions. Overall, our goal at Stone Angel Music is to create albums, which are resources for people to use to create an atmosphere where the fruits of the spirit are felt. 

If there is one takeaway from this album what do you hope it would be? Can you share a testimonial of how listeners have been impacted by it? 

I heard a sermon at Nashville Life by Alvin Love, the son of Grammy-winning Gospel art-ist CeCe Winans. He asked a great question. He said, “May-be the reason people don’t seek the kingdom, or the reason they don’t seek God, is because they don’t feel valued.” He said, “Do we know how valuable we are to God?” We want people to lis-ten and know they are, as Jesus said, “Pearls of great price....” 

We hope music leads them to a restoration, a new life, renewed hope and con dence in trusting God. People are being affected by this message and our artists particularly are affected. Ellee Duke is open about how she was doubting her faith and tempted to abandon the church. Her uncle committed suicide incidentally during this process. Ellee gave the word, “Lift Me Out” which I 

believe should be sung in ev-ery place that does epic worship anthems. It’s that good. Justin Williams, from American Idol, a recovering addict, was given the song “Redeemed.” The testimo-ny he gives in the music video we created for him says it all. People can watch that on our website after April 27th. I’ve been changed, strengthened, and re-committed to Jesus through this process. We want to make Him famous because He is Worthy. 9. You have many projects in play. What’s next on the hori-zon for you? 

I’m wrapping up a Christmas album that’ll be released later this year. Jim Daneker, musical director for Michael W. Smith, is producing the album. It’s like Mannheim Steamroller meets Ludovico Eunaldi. I’m so bless-ed because the beloved Chris-tian artists Audrey Assad will be featured on the album along with the legend CeCe Winans. The Christmas album will be a cele-bration of God’s gift. 

Paul Cardall, what more would you like to share with our readers? How can we purchase this beautiful album; “Worth Of Souls?” Can you please give us your social media contact (as live links for the magazine)? 

We not only have the album on our website, but we have re-sources on depression and a suicide prevention line. We have articles that help educate on this subject. We link to powerful ser-mons that teach us our value to God and to one another. So, we encourage people to visit www. worthofsoulsproject.com and learn more. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Paul Cardall, I am very grate- ful for your candor. It’s been an honor speaking to you. It is won- derful to share our faith and give God glory for such an inspiring album. If you are looking for an album that speaks of how valu- able you are, anchor your hope in God and bring you into His presence, look no further. Worth Of Souls has this and so much more. Within these incredible songs, you’ll see you are God’s Precious Treasure and is worth more than all the gold in Fort Knox. And a BIG Shout Out to Alison Auerbach for facilitating this wonderful interview. I could not have completed it without your assistance. You are a Gem.

Herb Scribner@HerbScribner  | Published: June 7, 2018 11:39 am

SALT LAKE CITY — On Thursday morning, award-winning folk artist Eric Dowdle, former federal special agent and author Tim Ballardand nationally recognized composer Paul Cardall were all at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., to announce Utah's new George Washington Museum of American History. 

The nonprofit initiative will be the largest American history museum west of the Mississippi. The 18-acre location — currently projected to be in Highland along state Route 92 in north Utah County, museum officials told the Deseret News — will be a replica of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Virginia, estate. 

The site will also house "two large museum buildings, a working farm, barns, retail cottages, greenhouse, gardens, office and ticketing buildings, and on-site parking facilities," according to the museum's website. 

Museum officials hope to have the project operational by July 4, 2026 — the 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States. 

In 2016, then-President Barack Obama created a commission to oversee celebrations of the country's 250th anniversary in 2026, charging each of the 50 states to find ways to mark the occasion. Utah is the first state to follow through on the initiative. 

“Utah wanted to do something special for 2026 because President Obama as an initiative asked every state to do something to unite the States,” Cardall said.

Utah Sens. Mike Lee and Orrin Hatch, former Salt Lake Chamber President Lane Beattie, former state Sen. Alvin Jackson and several other Utahns were on hand for the announcement in Washington D.C. 

More than just a museum, officials also plan to put together a touring exhibition that will visit all 50 states leading up to July 4, 2026.

“We’re inviting the country to come to Utah and … the museum, but also engage in their own states,” said Dowdle, who is known for his folk art jigsaw puzzles. Dowdle is the museum's founder and Chairman of the Board and invited both Ballard and Cardall to be involved in the project. 

“We believe the future will bring more and more people to our state,” Dowdle said. “We believe Utah can act as a hub for a Reader’s Digest version of the Smithsonian.” 

A team of artists, historians and musicians will collaborate on the project, which will include a multimedia exhibition that displays the first 250 years of American history. Ballard, Dowdle and Cardall will contribute in unique ways.

Continue Reading

FRIDAY JUNE 8, 2018 03:16 PM

An artist, a composer and a historian have a plan to open a George Washington Museum of American History in Utah in time for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence 

WRITTEN BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — An artist, a composer and a historian have a plan to open a George Washington Museum of American History in Utah in time for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. 

The Deseret News reports that artist Eric Dowdle said Thursday in Washington, D.C., that their replica of Washington's Mount Vernon, Virginia, estate could be open by July 4, 2026. 

The Daily Herald reports possible sites include 18 acres in Highland, This is the Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City and Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. 

Dowdle, composer Paul Cardall and historian Tim Ballard outlined the plan for Utah's congressional delegation, museum board members and the head of the USA250 Commission. 

The commission was created in 2016 to invite the 50 states to mark the anniversary.

Paul Cardall is a poster boy for the modern music industry. This truly independent artist - he owns all of his own publishing and masters - is a three time No. 1 Billboard New Age chart topper with more than 2 billion lifetime digital streams of his catalog of over 300 songs and averaging 25 million monthly streams on Pandora alone. 

This recent Music Biz Association panel features indie artist Paul Cardall and his team discuss his wildly successful business, the process he went through to build a sustainable career in the streaming era and the model for other artists to find sustainable income on the streaming platforms. 

The panel: 

Garrison Snell (Team Gyrosity) https://gyrosityprojects.co/ 
Chris Robley (CDBABY) https://diymusician.cdbaby.com/ 
Jonathan Barnes (PANDORA) http://www.pandora.com/paul-cardall 
Paul Cardall - http://PaulCardall.com

By Chris Robley | DIY Musician

May 18, 2018

Music with a clear purpose + talent + Pandora = Paul Cardall’s independent success. 

I just got back from the Music Biz Conference in Nashville where I recorded an episode of the DIY Musician Podcast in front of a live audience, co-hosted a session about Star Wars — I promise it was relevant to the music industry — and spoke on a panel that examined the career of independent pianist and composer Paul Cardall. 

Who, by the way, is a super nice guy. Always nice when success comes to kind people. 

The importance of Pandora in Paul Cardall’s music career. 

I interviewed Paul a few years back about his repeated success hitting #1 on Billboard’s New Age chart, and it was great to reconnect and take a closer look at his activity on streaming services, particularly Pandora. Not only has Pandora allowed Paul to create and strengthen his connection with his core listeners, it’s also a platform on which he’s generating impressive royalties. 

Leading this panel discussion was Garrison Snell of Gyrosity, the Nashville-based agency that has taken Paul Cardall on as a management client. Garrison asked me to assist with aspects of the discussion relating to distribution and DIY release strategies, and he asked Jonathan Barnes of Pandora to provide specific details about the Music Genome, how music is surfaced on the platform, and how to use Pandora AMP to connect with listeners.

Read More and Watch the Panel

By Markos Papadatos     May 12, 2018 in Music 

On April 27, Christian music artist and pianist Paul Cardall has released his inspirational new album "Worth of Souls" via Stone Angel Music. 

The collection opens with "Come as You Are," which features the crystalline voice of Kenz Hall. It is followed by the soothing tune "Oceans" by Jordan Moyes and Ashley Hess. 

Ellee Duke lends her crisp vocals on "Lift Me Out," and equally impressive is "How Can It Be" by Sierra Lauren. Jordan Moyes' voice on the acoustic guitar-driven "O Glorious Day" is smooth as silk. "The Homecoming" is pure ear candy, while "Tears of the Saints," sung by Trevor Price, has a haunting vibe to it. 

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/music/review-paul-cardall-will-melt-your-heart-with-worth-of-souls-album/article/522060#ixzz5GCdz2UMv

Carmen Rasmusen Herbert 

Published: March 12, 2018 | Deseret News

Who can tell the value of a soul? Only God, and he has declared that “the worth of souls is great” in his sight (see Doctrine and Covenants 18:10). He created us, his children. He has made it his work and glory “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (see Moses 1:39). 

We learn from the scriptures that to have eternal life means to live forever with our Father in Heaven. He gave his Only Begotten Son to die for us, so that his beautiful promise may be fulfilled through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He, the God of the universe, wants to be with you and with me. 

Life is hard. And there are so many distractions that keep us from remembering what our Father in Heaven wants so badly for us to never forget — that we, as his literal spirit sons and daughters, have immeasurable worth.

But for so many, that is not an easy thing to accept or believe. We live in a time when who we are seems to depend greatly on what we are, or how others feel about us. And it is causing anxiety, depression and feelings of inadequacy to the point of giving up. Comparison is stealing our confidence. 

Paul Cardall, an accomplished Billboard pianist, producer and artist, is seeking to change this way of thinking and to fight against these feelings that freeze us with self-doubt and insecurity by counteracting the dark surge of suicidal thoughts through what he knows best: music.

“Last October,” he told me, “while in Nashville working on my upcoming Christmas album, my manager invited my wife and I to attend ‘Nashville Life’ to meet multi-Grammy-winning gospel artist CeCe Winans and her husband. Her son Alvin Love III preached a beautiful sermon about seeking the kingdom of God … and then he asked this powerful question: ‘Do you think people aren’t seeking God’s kingdom because they don’t realize just how valuable they are to God?’ 

"I knew I needed to put aside my Christmas album briefly and focus on producing an album of songs that directly influence the way we think and feel about ourselves," he said. "God put on my heart the desire to organize a team of artists, genuine people of faith who had been through hard things, and produce an album of songs so sincere and honest that the music would counter negative feelings and help the listener restore confidence in God and themselves.”

The result is a stunning album called "Worth of Souls," full of uplifting and encouraging songs that are meant to help bind up broken hearts and turn thoughts to God. 

“We wanted an album that appealed to every son or daughter of God regardless of their denomination,” Cardall said. “It’s for the pilgrim, prodigal, sinner and saint. Our artists attend a variety of churches, and so the lyrics and language is a universal Christian message.” 

Music is sometimes the only thing that can pull me out of a confusing, stalled place and bring clarity to what my purpose is here. And we all have a purpose! 

I have had the great blessing of being raised by a father who works in the mental health profession as a psychiatrist. Because he sees people at their lowest points, he has been able to teach us invaluable lessons about the value of life and how we can work to overcome feelings of hopelessness.

“There is always hope,” he says. Suicide is heartbreaking and difficult to understand. It’s absolutely life-shattering for the loved ones left behind. The heartache and guilt they carry for always wondering what they could have done can be a weight almost too heavy to bear. 

This is where Christ comes in. 

Our loving Savior knows us all perfectly. He knows our darkest thoughts and our hardest days. He knows how to care for us and teach us and walk with us through the hurricanes raging inside as we fight to hold on. And he knows how to embrace his children who let go. 

My father-in-law, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, recently put together a task force whose mission is to provide support and information through programs and resources combating teen suicide. 

“We believe every life is important and has worth,” he said. “Suicide is sometimes difficult to talk about. But suicide is something we need to talk about and see what we can do to make things better. All of us have a role to play.” 

Whether through counseling, programs or even music, the mission of people like Cardall and Herbert and countless other people across the nation is to provide hope and prevent suicide.

However, for those who have walked that path with dear ones, President M. Russell Ballard, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, says this: “As I think about the worry and agony of those whose loved one has taken his or her own life, I find deep comfort and faith in the Lord’s promise and blessing to us who remain in mortality: ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid’ (John 14:27).” 

The worth of your soul is great. Believe that! If you have been suffering with feelings of hopelessness, please don’t give up. We need the unique perspective and talents and impact that only you have. God loves you. 

“Where words fail, music speaks,” Cardall said. 

And I believe it is through music that speaks of him that we can hear his voice speaking to us, as well. 

Listen.

By DR. JOHN BOSTON

Aug 11, 2017 | Frontiersmen

Challenges can be devastating, but they can also lead us to discover what is most important in life, and give us the opportunity to lean on the comfort and strength of the Lord.

One of the happiest moments of my life was when my wife Brenda and I found out our life was about to change:  we were expecting our first child.   As we had more children our joy increased—we now have four wonderful children and a granddaughter.

When our third child was born both Brenda and our baby had significant complications.  Brenda ended up in one hospital’s intensive care unit and our baby in another hospital’s newborn intensive care unit.  I had no idea if they would ever return home with me.  I remember watching TV that night and turning into a pile of crumpled emotions.  I was overwhelmed, visiting Brenda and our infant daughter in different hospitals, being sleep deprived, trying to be a father to my other two preschoolers, and working during my medical residency.  My emotions were close to the surface and raw.  I was blessed to work with wonderful colleagues who would pull extra shifts so I could be where I was needed.  I prayed consistently and fervently, and read scriptures often.  I found comfort in John 14:5-6:  “Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest and how can we know the way?  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:  not man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  Thomas learned a valuable lesson: that Christ is the way and His light and love will be around, even if we don’t know the way.

My infant daughter was released from the hospital two days before my wife, and they both healed well.  I was grateful for modern medicine and technology that allowed my family to live in spite of dire circumstances. 

A few years ago I became friends with a man who has experienced his own serious health challenges yet these challenges have deepened his heart, and helped him to lean on the Lord. 

Paul Cardall and I became friends when Paul traveled to Alaska in 2007 to perform.  His story touched my heart. 

I am sure Paul’s parents were excited when he was born, yet Paul was born with a congenital heart defect that limited his ability to process oxygen.  He had a temporary surgery that allowed him to live, but his life was expected to be short.  Paul outlived the original time limits, and he learned to play piano at age eight.  Throughout his youth he played the piano for fun, and he also had two more heart surgeries. When Paul was 17, his close friend died.  Paul turned to his piano music to express his sorrow and his deepest feelings. 

Paul served as a missionary for his church in California, and then attended college and earned his bachelor’s degree.   To earn money for college, Paul played the piano for tips at Nordstrom’s department store in Salt Lake City.  One day Richard Paul Evans, the author of the The Christmas  Box, heard Paul play and invited him to transform The Christmas Box into piano music.  Paul’s musical rendition of the book was highly successful, and Paul traveled and performed with Evans.  Paul’s music career was launched in ways he never imagined. 

Paul’s music touched many lives, for example his music was played at memorials for the Oklahoma City Bombing victims in 1995.  At the same time, however, his heart continued to deteriorate. 

In August 2008, Paul was placed on the transplant list.  On Christmas Eve, he received the call that was an answer to his prayers.  He went to the hospital for his transplant.  His soul felt the weight of accepting the heart from someone whose family was feeling tremendous pain at the very moment Paul’s family was rejoicing.

Paul’s high hopes were soon dashed.  Since Paul’s heart was damaged from previous surgeries, the donor heart needed to be perfect, and this one wasn’t. 

Paul went home on Christmas Day with an oxygen tank and pills.  He continued to pray for his miracle.  Adding to this difficult time of sorrow for Paul, his brother Brian died in a tragic accident soon after. 

Nine months later, Paul received his new heart.  The transplant was successful.  Paul had a new lease on life. 

Paul has gained comfort from this verse in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4:  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 

Paul recently completed his 15th album.  He has had several number one albums on the Billboard New Age Album charts. He has his own Pandora Channel with over 15 million subscribers, as well as his own record label (Stone Angel Music) and has built one of Salt Lake City’s premier recording studios.  Paul has been awarded an honorary doctorate for his community service. 

Surprisingly, Paul’s goal is not to make best-selling music.  “My goal is to make great music that helps soften and heal the heart,” Paul says. 

It’s not hard to admire a man who had every reason to fail, but has chosen to rise against adversity.  Life has sometimes been difficult for Paul and he has known his share of pain and struggles.  Paul says, “Out of pain, you are able to create, and to find a purpose.”

Paul will be performing in Rome and Milan in September and in Nashville this November, but before that he will be in Wasilla on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, on Bogard Road, next to Wasilla High School. 

He is a man of faith courage who has overcome incredible odds to be where he is today.  Come for a free concert, age 8 and older, and hear the music, the story, and feel the soul of one who knows what it is like to be on borrowed time. 

 John Boston is a Valley physician and is also the assistant director of public affairs for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Wasilla.