In a recent episode of American Idol, Alyssa Raghu and Wade Cote performed a duet of the song “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.
Both of the performers look like they are having so much fun up on stage singing and dancing together. Their energy is infectious! Alyssa is hitting those powerful belts with her soulful voice, and Wade is mixing up the song with his unique, raspy voice. The two seem like an unlikely vocal pairing, but they both make it work and put on a great show!
Alyssa Raghu is a 17-year-old from Orlando, FL. She was actually on American Idol last season and made it to the Top 24 contestants. This year she wanted to try again to see if she could do better. In school, she shines in musical theater and other musical chorus programs. Her counterpart on stage, Wade Cote, is 27 years old and is from Phoenix, AZ. He has spent most of his musical life performing in bands.
In this video of the performance, it is just so entertaining to watch Alyssa and Wade up on stage together! The audience is clearly loving them as they clap and dance along while watching them belt out such a classic song. The judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie are loving the pair as well. All three of them have nothing but praise to give Alyssa and Wade.
“The two of you together, believe it or not you were having fun, we got that,” says Lionel Richie. “And keep that up, because that’s what makes show business, show business!”
In this episode, the Top 8 contestants left on American Idol were paired up to perform iconic movie duets. Some of the other songs performed were “A Million Dream” from The Greatest Showman and “Jackson” from Walk the Line.
We’ll be sure to keep up to date on American Idol news to see which talented contestant from the Top 8 become this season’s winner!
Country singer Carter Lloyd Horne performs the iconic Elvis Presley song ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ on The Voice.
Carter is part of the Top 24 on this popular singing competition and he’s a standout on Team Blake. His crooner voice was the perfect compliment to this classic blues song.
“Well, since my baby left me
Well, I found a new place to dwell
Well, it's down at the end of Lonely Street
At Heartbreak Hotel
Where I'll be--where I get so lonely, baby
Well, I'm so lonely
I get so lonely, I could die”
‘Heartbreak Hotel’ was originally released in 1956 and was an instant hit. It was Elvis Presley’s first million-seller. It was even inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 1995.
Today, 20-year-old Carter Lloyd Horne is lending his voice to the tune and it’s absolute perfection. When we first met Carter, he impressed both Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton with his country blind audition.
We learned that Carter came from a wealthy family, but when the recession hit, they lost everything. There was even a time when the family lived out of a hotel. But a visit to church with a friend ignited Carter’s interest in music and he decided to pursue that as a career.
This young man has certainly come a long way and now he’s taking on one of the most famous songs of the 50’s. This crooner definitely has some vocal talent and I’m looking forward to his next song selection. What about you?
This great-grandmother rushed after a fleeing car when her grandbabies were in danger.
It was a frightening situation at a medical center when 69-year-old Nita Coburn pulled up to the entrance. Nita exited her vehicle to help a friend to the door, while her 2 great-grandchildren remained in the backseat. In those few seconds, a man jumped into the car and started to drive away with the children still inside.
Nita recalls the moment saying, “I heard them screaming and I ran to the car. And when I ran to the driver’s side cause I knew my grandbabies were in that car.” She chased after the car without hesitation to save her precious grandchildren. What she didn’t know was that quick-thinking Chance was already working to escape the vehicle with his older sister, Skylar.
When the vehicle took off, Chance climbed over his sister to open the car door, allowing her to hop out. Even when the alleged kidnapper tried to grab Skylar, this incredible 8-year-old broke his stronghold and the pair tumbled out of the vehicle.
A spokesperson for the police department described the young boy’s actions by saying, “What Chance did was extremely heroic. It just shows how much he loves his sister.”
Both Chance and his great-grandmother were not going to let this man drive off with them. Every nerve-wrecking moment was captured on security camera.
Shortly after the situation, the alleged kidnapper was taken into custody. Praise the Lord that both siblings and their great-grandmother are safe.
Country singers Laine Hardy and Laci Kaye Booth perform a toe-tapping duet of ‘Jackson’ on American Idol.
Laci has been singing from the age of 3 and grew up singing in church. She easily made her way into the Top 8 of the competition. But things haven’t been smooth-sailing for Laine Hardy.
This is actually his second time on American Idol. After he was eliminated last year, the singer is hoping his second chance will pay off big. Both of these country performers have been making waves week after week with their perfect song selection and unique vocals.
Today, these powerhouses are teaming up for a duet of the classic song ‘Jackson’ from Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash.
“Well go on down to Jackson
Go ahead and wreck your health
Go play your hand you big-talkin' man
Make a big fool of yourself
Yeah, go to Jackson
Go comb your hair”
Laine and Laci come together in the most incredible way for this crooner hit. Their vocals compliment each other in such a perfect way and their personalities truly start to shine through.
Both performers strum along on their guitars as they belt out the iconic lyrics, also featured in the film ‘Walk The Line.’ Lionel Ritchie remarked on the performance by saying, "Perfect song, perfect look, perfect attitude."
It was truly a well-placed match and this duo brought out the best in each other. I hope we continue to see more duets from American Idol contestants in the future. Don’t you agree?
Ellie and Ava perform a beautiful contemporary routine to ‘Head Above Water’ from Avril Lavigne. These two sisters are competing on NBC’s World Of Dance.
This incredible dance competition brings together the best talent from all over the globe for a $1 million prize. ‘Head Above Water’ was written after the singer-songwriter went through great trials in her life.
Avril stepped away from the music scene for five years while she fought a difficult battle with Lyme Disease. Once her health improved, Avril penned this song about leaning on her faith in tough times.
“God, keep my head above water
Don't let me drown, it gets harder
I'll meet you there at the altar
As I fall down to my knees”
Today, Ellie and Ava have put together an incredible dance routine to this powerful song. This performance put so many of the emotions into movement as the teens dance along to the beautiful words.
“God, keep my head above water
I lose my breath at the bottom
Come rescue me, I'll be waiting
I'm too young to fall asleep”
You can feel the weight and passion behind every single move and the judges are obviously blown away. These sisters have so much talent and grace that it is no wonder that they have made it this far.
With powerful song choices and even more impressive moves, this teen duo definitely has what it takes to go the entire way. What do you think about Ellie and Ava’s World Of Dance performance?
Country artist Josh Turner performs a live rendition of his gospel song ‘I Saw The Light’ on The Today Show.
In 2018, Josh released his very first gospel album titled ‘I Serve A Savior.’ Josh is an award-winning country singer and songwriter and now, he’s returning to his Christian roots. Faith is a very important part of this talented artist and Josh feels blessed to be able to record and share these special songs.
Today, he’s sharing God’s message with a live performance on The Today Show. Just listen as he beautifully belts out the lyrics to ‘I Saw The Light.’
‘I saw the light, I saw the light
No more darkness, no more night
Now I'm so happy, no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord, I saw the light’
These powerful lyrics remind us all that God is our strength and our guidance. Even when times seem to be dark, remember that the Lord will always be the light to see you through. What an incredible blessing to have the power of God with us each step of the way. These words are the perfect praise to His Holy Name.
‘I was a fool to wander and stray
Straight is the gate and narrow's the way
Now I have traded the wrong for the right
Praise the Lord, I saw the light’
John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Mother and son Sharon and Brandon return to the Ireland’s Got Talent stage for a riveting performance of ‘I Knew You Were Waiting.’
We first met this golden buzzer duo when they performed Calum Scott’s hit song, ‘You Are The Reason.’ The two have been singing together since Brandon was just a young boy. But, there was a time not too long ago that Sharon didn’t know if she’d ever sing with Brandon again.
Before their first performance, the mother and son shared their emotional journey. After a tragic accident, Brandon was rushed to the hospital and placed on life support. Doctors feared the worst, but, miraculously, the young man made it through.
Now he is using this second chance at life to sing with his mother again. They easily won over the hearts of the audience and judges with their first audition. It was so moving that host Lucy stepped in to press her golden buzzer, sending this duo straight through to the next round.
Now, they have made it all the way to the semi-finals and they’re giving this performance their all. Just listen as they belt out the iconic lyrics of ‘I Knew You Were Waiting’ from Aretha Franklin.
“When the river was deep, I didn't falter
When the mountain was high, I still believed
When the valley was low, it didn't stop me, oh
I knew you were waiting, hey, I knew you were waiting for me”
There is so much emotional with every single note. It’s truly a blessing to witness this mother and son follow their dreams and live them out on the Ireland’s Got Talent stage.
Age does not stop this 79-year-old grandma from chasing her dream to earn a black belt in taekwondo!
From Des Moines, Iowa, Mary Daily Lange is going after something that you don’t see many people her age doing.
“I’m not very big, and I’m old,” says Mary.
But that didn’t keep her from pursuing taekwondo and going through the tests in order to achieve her black belt. She started learning this skill at the age of 65 and has been smashing through boards ever since. Commitment and practice are important parts of taekwondo training, and you can see that Mary has the determination that is needed for this sport.
Mary shares how she told her kids about her newfound activity. “I had talked to our kids, our two sons and our daughter about this and said, ‘Do you want me to buy long-term care insurance or do you want me to do taekwondo?’ And they said, ‘Go for it, Mom.’”
With their blessing, she went for it and has been thriving ever since. She loves how taekwondo adds to her life and all the benefits it adds to her health.
“I believe that you need to be active. Physically, socially, mentally, and spiritually,” Mary says.
Taekwondo has also helped Mary in the way that she carries herself. “I exude confidence, and part of the reason I do that is because I know I can break boards with my bare hand.”
As of now, Mary has just one more test to go before achieving her first-degree black belt. She hopes to reach this goal by the time she celebrates her 80th birthday. What an inspiration to see Mary going after such a difficult accomplishment in her golden years. May we all go after the things in life that bring us joy!
Josh Groban sings his song ‘Granted’ during a beautiful live performance at Madison Square Garden. The concert showcased his songs from his new album Bridges, and the DVD of the concert was just released last week.
“If you have a dream go chase it
If you feel hope don't waste it
If you find love embrace it
Never take a single breath for granted
The story's yours, go write it
Tomorrow's undecided
Our days are counted on this planet
Never take a single breath
Take a single breath for granted”
With such beautiful and uplifting lyrics, one can see why this song has been an inspiration to so many already. ‘Granted’ is a strong ballad and the large orchestra in the video just adds to the powerful sound of the song.
Josh Groban is known for writing empowering songs like ‘You Raise Me Up’ and ‘You Are Loved.’ But when it came to writing this song, he says that he actually didn’t intend on making it an inspirational anthem.
“Writing an anthem that's inspirational is easier said than done. Anytime you come at a song like that from...any cynicism, it never works. 'Granted' came about totally organically,” Josh Groban says.
"I'm never expecting to write, like, an 'anthem' or an inspirational song. I'm such an over-thinker, I'm thinking, 'I already got a coupe of those, I don't need to do another!'"
Thankfully, he did make another inspirational song. One that brings people hope and reminds them to be grateful for this beautiful life that God has given us.
It’s a wonderful thing that God has given him such a great talent for singing and writing songs, and he can use this gift to give hope to those who listen to him. His music brings so many people joy and uplifts their spirits.
On this ‘CBS Sunday Morning’ episode, the main topic that was covered was how faith-based films are taking over Hollywood. What an encouraging thing to see!
The most recent faith-based film to hit the big screen is the movie ‘Breakthrough’. Starring Chrissy Metz from the show This Is Us, this movie is all about a miracle that happened after a mother’s prayer.
“It’s undeniable that something miraculous happened,” says Metz. “You can’t really deny that, literally, on the documents it states, ‘patient died, mother prayed, patient came back to life.’”
Chrissy Metz has not been shy about her faith and shares that the message about the power of prayer is part of what drew her to this story. “I’ve seen it work so many times,” she says. “Not only in my life, but my friends, my family.”
One faith-based film that has remained popular throughout the years is ‘The Ten Commandments’. It has been on TV every Easter weekend since 1973 and, after inflation, is the 6th highest grossing film of all time.
But after ‘The Ten Commandments’ was made, faith-based movies were not that common anymore. That was until Mel Gibson made ‘The Passion of the Christ’ in 2004. After the success of that film, Christian movies started to become more prevalent in Hollywood.
Now, there are many Christian production companies producing films that are winning over audiences. Some films like ‘Fireproof’ and ‘Facing the Giants’ were made on small budgets but ended up bringing in a lot of money.
The Christian film ‘Miracles from Heaven’ was made in 2016 and starred Jennifer Garner. The movie was made by T.D. Jakes for only $13 million but brought in over $73 million at the box office. With faith-based films getting larger budgets and attracting big name stars, Hollywood is likely to keep seeing Christian films hit the box office.
And like T.D. Jakes said, “From an evangelistic perspective, there are more people in the theater on Friday night than there are in the pews on Sunday morning. So, you have a huge chance to reach a wider array and a different demographic of people with a message of positivity.”
'TNWG' / Episode 1 / Character is a video that talks about having the right character that Jesus Christ would want us to have in this fallen and immoral world. Our group talks about the elements of 'Good' character and how we as Christians shouldn't compromise with evil.
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