Today I spent a good part of the morning trying to hunt down a photo. I couldn't find the one I had in mind but this beauty is pretty close. Now, imagine this girl wearing an American Flag T-shirt under these overalls, standing in the middle of the Hansen Stadium before A Dixie College Football game, ready to belt out the National Anthem. I did this on several occasions and loved every minute of it!
For years, I got the "compliment" that my voice was very "Unique" or "Ive never heard it sung like that before, but I really liked it" I would grin and say thank you and go on my merry little way. As I got older, I started feeling like these weren't actually compliments. I began feeling like I was just a weird girl, with a weird voice and people were just trying to be nice. because I was "Unique".
I had the chance to sing at Pioneerzz Ball Games and other local and college events but was very intimidated by this song, so I would pass. To me, The Star Spangled Banner is the most challenging and important song that anyone can sing. and I felt like my talents weren't capable to deliver its message, so I stopped singing it even though it was something I loved. My grown-up insecurities got the better of me.
The dictionary defines Unique as: not typical; unusual: having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable.
I am trying to embrace my Uniqueness. Im trying to be more like that little girl who sang because she loved singing. I have never tried to be like anyone else. and I've tried hard not to care too much about what others thought. but Its still a struggle sometimes. Being a songwriter, I hide my insecurities by sharing my own songs. That way, no one can compare my voice to the original artist. I am the original Artist.
Last Night, I sang the National Anthem for a group of 20 or so talented individuals. It was the first time I had sung it in 17 years.
I couldn't even look at the crowd...I just looked at the flag and tried so hard to remember the words. I sing in public all the time and I really dont ever get too nervous but my living daylights were all out of me. It was a terrible and wonderful feeling.
I will turn 29 in a few weeks and before I turn 30, I have promised myself I will sing the Anthem again at a public event. This audition was to sing at the Dixie Round Up Rodeo. I wasn't selected. and thats okay. It was a good refresher. After the selection had been made one of the judges came up to me and said,
" You've got such a cool voice and I loved your rendition, it was so Unique."
He shook my hand and I thanked him for telling me that. It was exactly what I was hoping to hear.
This is beautiful Lyndy.
ReplyDeleteI can relate in the way that I am trying to sell my artistic expression. It is one thing to express yourself - and feel great about it. But when you are sharing it with the public and trying to put your work out there - it is frightening.
It's a fact that you're talented. You can sing on key, you can read notes and arrange a song but the question is, does your personal expression appeal to the masses? Well it seems that way to me.
But it shouldn't matter, Because your music is for you and creating should be 100% what makes you feel good. (I seriously need to remember that myself.)
I actually get told that a lot too. People tell me that my "style" is very different. But i just have to remind myself {almost daily) that I like being different. Being "normal" or the same" could cause me to get lost in the crowd and I'd like my work to stand out.
I think you definitely stand out and not in a "well that's unique" way but in a "WOW! That's one of kind!" way!
I will never forget the first time I heard you perform. It took me by surprise big time and I had never heard something like that, but when I got home, I could still hear your happy lyrics in my head and you had made a lasting impression on me.
Keep on singin sister!
Hopefully this doesnt sound preachy. I'm always worried I sound preachy but I hope you know I am more likely the one who needs to take my own advice!
Oh Lyndy, I just adore you. I always have. You are unique in the best way possible. Other people want to be like you, including me. I wish sooo bad that I lived in SG so I could cheer you on as you sing your heart out at the Washington County Fair coming up. As for the Star Spangled Banner...wow, you are spot on. It would be more intimating to sing that song in public than others because of it's depth and importance. I'm sure you were stellar for those judges. And when you sing it again in public before you're 30th bday, I sure hope I'm there to listen. Love ya!
ReplyDeletethis photo just made my day.
ReplyDeletei love you and your amazing talent. thanks for letting me tag along with you during college and letting me say, "ya, i'm with her." #roadie. :)
DANG IT!!!!! I'm so sad I missed it!!! I was going to go to the tryouts to listen to them this year!!!! Lame sauce!!! I would of LOVED to hear how you sing it!!! I'd kill to have your voice!!! I've never EVER let anyone I know listen to your music and not have them instantly fall in love with your voice and your style!!! And like I told you at the fair, I haven't even had your cd a year, and its already worn out, so I've shown a lot of people!! ♥♥♥
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