April 29, 2006 5:55 PM
Vote for Maddy
Maddy was in a local singing competition last night called Loudoun Teen Idol. I was so proud of her!
There were 24 contestants - 23 girls! - 13-18. Maddy dressed in a very modest, unassuming way and unlike the other contestants, most of whom chose popular songs by singers like Alicia Keyes (we don't even know these songs in our house), Maddy sang "You Raise Me" Up by Josh Groban.
Okay, you have to picture this - in the center of a noisy, echo-y mall, they have a stage set up. The seats were filled and standing room only. At the second story level, there is a huge circle cut out so people are all standing there and looking down at the stage too.
As on the American Idol auditions, very few of the kids - maybe only five - can really sing halfway decently. Some have the idea that if you yell the words and hold the notes long enough, that's singing. Still, I admire their courage in getting up there at all. There was a three-judge panel modeled after the judges on AI, who commented on each performance. At first they seemed to feel somewhat uncomfortable since the singers were mostly pretty bad. But they didn't offer any false flattery, and they got meaner as the contestants went on and on, saying things like "You should have chosen a shorter song!" Sometimes they couldn't help looking put upon that they had to sit through another terrible performance.
Finally they announced Maddys' name and she came on stage with her little smile and dimples. No makeup, the second youngest performer - just turned 13 10 days ago. The judges looked like "Here we go again." There was steady chattering and noise from the audience and the mall in general.
There was a little interview. A gasp went through the crowd when they mentioned she was from a family of 12 kids. The MC handed her the mike and said "Here you go."
Nw if you've seen Maddy sing, you'll know that she plants her feet firmly on the stage like she owns it - and then that incredibly powerful voice - a capella in perfect tune - pours out:
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
Immediately, there was complete silence. The judges looked up. kinda stunned.
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
Oh, I wish I could somehow have you hear her sing! Maybe I will figure out how to add it to my blog.
Anyway, when Maddy finished, there was thunderous applause. And the judges said, "Excellent," "Amazing voice!" and "I never would have expected that!"
Ten people will be chosen to go on to the next level of competition. But the ridiculous thing is they are going by online votes, so at this stage it is more a popularity contest than a true singing competition. I hope they will fix that in between the 2nd level and the 3rd. But for now, it's just votes from friends whether they heard it or not.
Which brings me to the reason I'm sharing this with you. If you have a minute, would you please go here and vote for Maddy Curtis? You don't have to put your street address - just name and city and state - plus her name.
All votes must be in by midnight Sunday night. They will notify her Monday and if she is one of the 10 finalists, she'll compete again May 26 (my birthday!). Thank you! I'll let you know what happens!
Comments
did it. how many times can you vote? I clicked on it three times then thought I should ask first.
Posted by: janet | April 29, 2006 8:52 PM
I tried to vote but there are only four states to choose from--do you have any suggestions?
Stephanie in AR
Posted by: Stephanie | April 29, 2006 8:59 PM
Thanks! You can vote as many times as you want - just like on American Idol.
About the states - just submit with your name only and Maddy's of course.
Thank again!
Posted by: barbaracurtis | April 29, 2006 9:09 PM
Barbara, I hope that's ethical! I did it.
Posted by: Julana | April 29, 2006 9:11 PM
Good luck Maddy! We are happy to vote for you.
Posted by: Carrie | April 29, 2006 11:03 PM
It didn't have my state either, but it took the vote!
Hope you can put her song online; I'd love to hear her voice singing that song. It's beautiful!
Posted by: Barb | April 30, 2006 12:34 AM
Okey dokey! I went and voted. ;o)
Posted by: Birdie | April 30, 2006 12:48 AM
I voted for her ... although I had to include the state on the city line, because my state wasn't listed.
I hope she wins.
Posted by: JFC | April 30, 2006 1:07 AM
YES! Maddy! I voted for you and will again, though it's weird someone untalented could be picked just because she/he got more votes...my state wasn't an option, either : )
This is so great Barbara !
Posted by: floorplan | April 30, 2006 7:12 AM
Barbara,
You wrote: "But the ridiculous thing is they are going by online votes, so at this stage it is more a popularity contest than a true singing competition. I hope they will fix that in between the 2nd level and the 3rd. But for now, it's just votes from friends whether they heard it or not" (emphasis mine).
I agree that there is probably a better way to conduct the voting. But then you wrote:
"Which brings me to the reason I'm sharing this with you. If you have a minute, would you please go here and vote for Maddy Curtis?"
You complained that people were going to vote for other contestants simply by popularity even if they hadn't listened to the contestants sing. (Although you really can't prove that people are actually doing that.) But now you're encouraging your readers to vote for your daughter even if they hadn't heard her sing. This seems inconsistent to me. I can understand your wanting your daughter to go on to the next round of competition—especially if you genuinely believes she deserves to go on. But isn't it better to teach her the importance of integrity and good ethical behavior, even when it may cost her losing out on $500 and a contract with a talent agency? If she is really as good as you say, and is singing for the glory of God, then God will promote her. He will be her agent. Just like Joseph with the pharaoh of Egypt, at the right time God will make sure that the right people discover her talent. All the Lord's best to your daughter.
Posted by: Brian Andrews | April 30, 2006 10:04 PM
Brian -
Thanks for your thoughtful comments. But I have to disagree. I don't think it's inconsistent for me to ask people to vote for her if that is how the contest is set up.
And money and the a contract arte not motivators at all for me. Frst of all, the contract is probably bogus and would involve parents shelling out money for lessons.
With Maddy, it's all about performance. When our family took the Meyers Briggs test, she and her older brother had the personality type "performer" - and it is very true. He studies opera at Liberty University. Maddy has been asking visitors to our house since she was a toddler to listen to her sing. She has a definite gift. Yesterday she asked the music director at our church if he would consider letting her sing a solo.
It's hard to explain to people who aren't wired the same way. As Eric Liddell said in Chariots of Fire, "When I run I feel His pleasure."
When I write I feel His pleasure. When Maddy sings, she feels His pleasure. She sings all day long because she loves singing and God has put such joy in her heart. It's not about money or attention - it's just aout what she was meant to do.
I don't see her winning the competition at all. Even if she had the best voice (which I believe she has, and I'm pretty objective about my kids because I have 12 so my ego isn't invested in them), she doesn't dress, act or choose the songs that would win her the title.
So it's not about winning, not about money, not about inconsistency. Just followihg the setup they've provided so that she can sing next time.
I don't know if you read here very much. You commented once back in November. But if you got to know me, you would have more reason to believe that I'm not given to hypocrisy:)
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to explain, though.
Posted by: barbaracurtis | May 1, 2006 7:21 AM
Hi Barbara,
Actually, I do read quite frequently. Probably everyday, I check out your RSS feed. I'm just not a frequent commenter on anybody's blog. But even if I did read you everyday, I couldn't say that I "know" you. That would take personal interaction.
However, having read your blog, I think I've picked up some things about you. You are a committed follower of Jesus who wants to reach people for Christ—especially the marginalized and those who have been "turned off" by bad church experiences, or those who might otherwise be considered outcasts. You seem down-to-earth, disciplined, and thorough. I admire you for being so public about your desire to honor God with your weight.
I am a singer myself. I have sung in churches since I was 3. (I'm now 38.) Solos, youth choirs, adult choirs, worship teams, worship bands (team member and leader), quartets, traveling ensembles, you name it. Probably one of my favorite places to sing is by myself in my car on a long drive with some worship CDs. That is a slice of heaven.
I've written songs—worship songs and little "theme" songs for each of my kids (the third born just three days ago.) All that to say, I understand singing and "performing."
I appreciate your reference to Eric Liddell. I enjoyed the movie and was a cross country runner, myself, in high school. Although, now when I run I don't "feel God's pleasure" I feel my own pain!
The thing I appreciated the most about Eric Liddell was his commitment to God above running. He refused to race on Sunday because he believed that would dishonor God. It didn't matter to him that that was how the races were set up. It didn't matter to him that everyone was urging him to violate his conscience. It didn't matter to him that if he didn't race on Sunday, he wouldn't be able to race in the next heat. It didn't matter to him that he loved running and felt God's pleasure when he ran. All that mattered to him was obeying God's laws the best he knew how. His commitment was to the Giver of the gift, not to the gift.
I'm not judging your heart's motives. Only God knows what's going on inside of you. I have every reason to believe you're a sincere follower of Jesus. I'm just saying I think this could be a good teachable moment for your daughter.
Many blessings in Christ.
Posted by: Brian Andrews | May 1, 2006 1:34 PM
Thanks, Brian!
Posted by: barbaracurtis | May 1, 2006 2:06 PM
