Music

Two members of an incredibly talented group, Celtic Thunder, gave a delightfully soothing and inspiring performance of a beloved classic from Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.

Today, artists churn out music at an impressive rate. However, a good majority of it is incredibly forgettable and not even worth listening to even once. Most tunes released today will be entirely forgotten within a few years, if not sooner. 

However, despite the avalanche of music produced today, some songs stand the test of time. Even though they may be decades old, a select and exclusive group of tunes will forever be remembered, listened to and covered by other musicians. Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence” is the epitome of a classic song. 

“Sound of Silence” has been covered hundreds, likely thousands of times by other musicians, including by Celtic Thunder in a clip posted on YouTube.

“Hello darkness, my old friend
I’ve come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping”

The two talented gentlemen, because of their unique sound, make the song their own. When a song is so incredibly recognizable and beautifully written, there is no point in changing the wording or the melody. Any attempt to do so would probably result in a poor, awkward performance and an upset crowd.

Classic songs are classics for a good reason, right?

The performers' rendition of the beloved tune about loneliness, isolation and sadness is lovely. It could be listened to repeatedly. 

The dazzling cover was well-received by the packed auditorium. The audience gave the two young men a well-deserved thunderous round of applause for their fantastic efforts. They did the Simon and Garfunkel classic justice.

Additionally, their stunning rendition was well-received on YouTube. A handful of people expressed their appreciation in the comment section under the video.

“This is one of my favorite songs. They (sic) guys did it great. I like that they can sing and smile at the same time. The Celtic Thunde[r] are great,” one person wrote. 

Psalm 95:1 “O come, let us make songs to the Lord; sending up glad voices to the Rock of our salvation.”

Ashley Campbell, the daughter of the late and legendary country musician Glen Campbell, stopped by Larry’s Country Diner for a sweet, heartfelt performance of “Pancho and Lefty.”

Glen Campbell was a legendary and beloved musician. Throughout his career, which spanned decades, he produced memorable and classic tunes. Many people, when they think of Glen Campbell, will immediately go to “Southern Nights,” “Gentle on My Mind” and "Rhinestone Cowboy.”

While Glen may have tragically passed away in 2017 from Alzheimer’s disease, his musical talent continues to live on in his daughter. Ashley has proven that she has inherited her father’s gift for music and sound. In a clip posted on YouTube, she put that talent on full display.

Instead of singing one of her late father’s hits, Ashley strummed the banjo and sang a tune originally performed by two other country music legends. “Pancho and Lefty,” released in the 1980s, is a song from Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard.

“All the Federales say
They could have had him any day
They only let him slip away 
Out of kindness, I suppose”

Even those not fans of country music will appreciate Ashley's performance. It’s fantastic and one performance that should be listened to multiple times. 

In this short clip, Ashley demonstrates that she has a terrific voice. Her tone is so smooth, clear and soothing, one that could be listened to for hours. Her voice fits perfectly with the country music genre. 

While Ashley’s singing and strumming on the banjo are noteworthy, the lyrics elevate her performance. The words are beautiful. The song is expert-level storytelling and writing from two of the greatest country musicians to ever have picked up a guitar and a microphone. 

Most people would agree that this song and others like it are head and shoulders above what is considered and passed off for country music today. Most of what is on country music radio is pop music with some twang.

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

An incredibly musically gifted father-daughter duo, Mat and Savanna Shaw, put their immense talents on full display during their awe-inspiring cover of the classic tune “Dream a Little Dream of Me.”

Songs become beloved classics for a reason. The lyrics and melody come together in just the right way and create an almost magical moment. Tunes like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Singing in the Rain” and “What a Wonderful World” all fit perfectly in that exclusive category.

All of those aforementioned tunes are ones everyone instantly recognizes after only the first few notes. Additionally, those are songs most people will find themselves singing along to or at least humming for the duration of the song and likely the rest of the day. 

In a clip posted on YouTube, Matt and Savanna put on a lovely and dazzling performance of “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” a song previously performed by the incomparable Doris Day. 

The song may be decades old, but because of its beautifully written lyrics and Mat and Savanna’s outstanding vocal performances, you’ll be singing along with them. 

“Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me”

Once again, with their rendition of “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” Mat and Savanna expertly blend their voices perfectly together, creating an utterly delightful listening experience. This is yet another one of their covers that you’ll want to listen to repeatedly. Mat and Savanna continually improve and raise their game with every video they put out on their YouTube channel. 

Mat and Savanna are super-talented individuals. Their stunning harmonies and gift for creating beautiful sounds, displayed in nearly 200 videos on their YouTube channel, have earned them more than 660,000 subscribers, and rightfully so. 

Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”

An incredibly talented group of young people turned in an awe-inspiring and outstanding performance of a classic from the four lads from Liverpool, The Beatles.

The Beatles are an iconic and universally beloved group. The group, in their short time together, was prolific, churning out hit after hit after hit. But in addition to their catalog of classic tunes, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Star and George Harrison changed music forever.

Decades after they last played together, their music is still widely played. To this day, musicians still attempt to imitate and replicate their sound, covering the group’s seemingly endless collection of hit songs. There will likely never be a group as iconic or influential as The Beatles. 

In a clip posted on social media, members of the A Cappella Academy warm up their voices by singing “Hey Jude.” In the short clip, the talented vocalists demonstrate the strength and flexibility of their voices and their ability to take direction. 

The young people, as a group, change their entire sound together and do so seamlessly. Approximately two dozen vocalists sit in an auditorium as their director runs back and forth in front of them. He uses hand signals to direct their vocal performance as he moves from left to right.

The young people completely change their tone and intonation as the man moves from left to right. At one point, he even directs their volume, moving his hands up and down to signify the desired level.

The young people’s collective control of their voices is outstanding. While the lyrics remain the same, the students, by controlling the tone and volume level of their voices, completely change the song's sound and feel. 

This short video demonstrates the power and beauty of the first-ever instrument, the only personally created by the Lord Himself: the human voice.

Psalm 105:2 “Let your voice be sounding in songs and melody; let all your thoughts be of the wonder of his works.”

American Idol winner Iam Tongi is an incredibly talented musician, blessed with an angelic voice, which he once again demonstrated on a cover of a hit from Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show.

The 1970s was a terrific decade for music, providing us with classic, memorable tunes from some of the greatest bands to pick up instruments. The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones and Queen were all in their heyday. Many of those songs remain in heavy rotation decades after they were first released.

In a clip posted on YouTube, Iam Tongi covered another song from the 70s, “Sylvia’s Mother.” It’s a song that is just as well-written and catchy as anything from the Beatles or The Rolling Stones. But with those other bands grabbing all the headlines and attention, Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show’s “Sylvia’s Mother” is often overlooked. 

“Sylvia’s mother said Sylvia’s packing 
She’s gonna be leaving today
Sylvia’s mother said Sylvia’s marrying a fella down Galveston Way”

It’s a heartbreaking and emotional song about a man desperately trying to reach out to his former love on her wedding day. He wants nothing more than a few moments of her time to tell her goodbye, but sadly, it doesn’t appear to work out for him.

Iam is an unbelievably talented performer, which he has shown repeatedly. All of America fell in love with his smooth and soothing sound on his way to becoming the latest winner of American Idol.

However, Iam demonstrated another skill that may have flown under the radar for most given his consistently outstanding performances. His ability to choose the right songs for his voice and sound is near perfection. He knows how to use beautifully written lyrics and the emotion in them to draw in the audience and make them feel the song right along with him. 

Once again, with his cover of the Dr. Hook hit, Iam delivers the chills with his performance. 

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

An immensely talented young woman, Karolina Protsenko, put her mesmerizing skills on the violin on full display with her stunning and awe-inspiring cover of Roy Orbison’s classic hit, “Oh, Pretty Woman.”

Throughout the history of music, plenty of tunes have received the cover treatment. Likely, any song with even a smidgen of familiarity among the general public has been covered once or twice. Covers are a terrific way to pay homage to an artist and for an unknown musician to build and gain an audience.

In a clip posted on YouTube, Karolina, well-known for her dazzling violin covers, went with a beloved song covered thousands of times over the years. Her rendition of Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman” is an utter delight and treat. 

As she expertly strums and plucks her violin and joyfully dances about the busy street, you can’t help but hum and possibly sing out the memorable lyrics. Her playing and love of performing are infectious!

“Pretty woman, walkin’ down the street
Pretty woman the kind I like to meet
Pretty woman, I don’t believe you, you’re not the truth
No one could look as good as you, mercy”

“Oh, Pretty Woman” is still heard on the radio, in television commercials and often during hilarious montage sequences in films. It’s a tune that many people know, and even if they don’t know that they know it, they’ve heard it before, in some form or fashion. 

By the end of the clip, those gathered to take in Karolina’s fantastic display of talent and enthusiasm give the young woman a round of applause. 

A handful of others showed their appreciation, support and approval on the video’s YouTube page, writing comments.

“A thoroughly beautiful rendition of a wonderful song and tune. A true timeless classic,” one person posted. 

“This girl remembers and plays hundreds of songs in public without making any mistakes, amazing!” a second individual added.

Psalm 104:33 “I will make songs to the Lord all my life; I will make melody to my God while I have my being.”

An unbelievably talented group of bluegrass musicians, The SteelDrivers, turned in a stunning performance of “Somewhere Down the Road,” a tune about recognizing the truth of the Gospel and Jesus Christ.

Without Jesus Christ, no one would have any hope whatsoever. All would still be living in their sin and shame, condemned and destined for Hell. But Praise God, He loved us enough to send Jesus Christ - His one and only Son – to die on the cross so we may have an opportunity for everlasting life.

Despite Christ’s sacrifice and God’s word, there are still those who openly mock and ridicule this life-changing, powerful message. Everyone knows someone who refuses to accept and believe Christ’s message of love, grace and forgiveness. 

But there is a day coming, somewhere down the road, when, as the Bible states, every knee will bow, and tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. In a clip posted on YouTube, the SteelDrivers sing a tune about this moment of reckoning and realization.

“Somewhere down the road, there’s a reckoning I know
Where the truth’s gonna shine like the sun
Where every knee will bow when it all starts going down
But friend if you ain’t ready when it comes
This may be the end for you”

All will face judgment at one time or another. Everyone will have to give an account of their lives. That is a scary thought, but there is still time to turn away from those evil ways and return to God. Christ’s love, forgiveness and salvation are gifts available to everyone. 

Philippians 2:10-11 “So that at the name of Jesus every knee may be bent, of those in heaven and those on earth and those in the underworld, and that every tongue may give witness that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

This beautiful version of the classic hymn, ‘Rock of Ages’ is sung by Christian-music singer Amy Grant and husband, country-music singer Vince Gill. The music will take you back to a different time.

‘Rock of Ages’ was written by Augustus Toplady in the 1760s. He wrote other hymns but ‘Rock of Ages’ is the most well-known

The hymn is about God being immovable and constant, like a rock, in our lives. These lyrics remind us of who God really is. 

“Rock Of ages cleft for me
Let me hide myself in thee
Rock of Ages, cleft for me
Let me hide myself in thee”

Many remember this song from childhood or an older relative who enjoyed it. The song is one of the more popular hymns enjoyed by many generations over the years. 

There are quite a few comments on YouTube mentioning how this song reminds them of singing with loved ones in the past. This comment, “Grandma I sure wish you was here we could sing together like we did when I was a little girl” is lovely and so many can relate to singing this hymn and others as children with their grandparents or older relatives. 

This version of the song is from Amy Grant’s album, ‘Rock of Ages…Hymns and Faith’ which came out in 2005. With 13 tracks, ‘Rock of Ages’ joins other classic hymns on the album such as ‘I Surrender All’ and ‘Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.’ 

This video is only the audio track of the song with an image of Amy Grant but it is perfect to listen to when you need a reminder that God is always there. 

Psalm 18:2 “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

One member of an immensely talented group of musicians, Celtic Thunder, turned in an awe-inspiring and moving rendition of a beloved folk song from the 1970s, “Cats in the Cradle.”

Being a parent is one of life’s greatest blessings. Children are a true gift from the good Lord. Those little bundles of joy add much happiness and love to one’s life. But, as every parent understands, children do not stay little for long. They have a terrible habit of growing up, moving out and creating a life for themselves, separate from mom and dad. 

A parent’s time with their child or children must be treasured and cherished. Children are only small and dependent on their mother and father for a limited period. In the blink of an eye, a child is graduating from high school, packing up their belongings and backing out of the driveway for the last time. 

“Cats in the Cradle” is a tune about how time does not stop for any reason or person. The song’s heartbreaking lyrics detail how a father welcomed a son into the world. But, because of the busy nature of life, the father continually put spending time with his child on the back burner. 

The child continually tried to catch up and spend time with his father. However, something always came up that distracted the father from his son. In an instant, the child has graduated from college, moved out and has a family of his own.

Now, sadly, the tables have been turned on the father. He has retired and wants nothing more than to spend time with his offspring. But the son is too busy for his dad. The young man is imitating what he witnessed his father doing as a child. 

Despite the sad and heartbreaking nature of the lyrics, the vocal performance is outstanding. The packed auditorium seems to agree. They gave the performers a rousing and thunderous round of applause. 

“Cats in the Cradle” is a tune that reminds us of the fleeting nature of time and how we all have a limited supply of that precious commodity. The next question is: what will we do with the time we've been given?

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Former America’s Got Talent winner Kodi Lee is back and has released the official lyric video for his catchy, upbeat and original tune “Change.”

Shows like America’s Got Talent, American Idol and The Voice let people share their God-given talents with the world. Those programs have helped to uncover and move forward the careers of people like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Iam Tongi and Jordan Smith. 

The amount of talent that regularly appears on those shows every single season is stunning. Not only talent, but those shows feature some of the most inspiring, determined and focused individuals. Kodi Lee, who has autism and is blind, fits in both categories. The young man is immensely talented and refuses to let his disabilities keep him from achieving his musical dreams. 

In a clip posted on YouTube, Kodi released the official lyric video for his original tune “Change.” It’s an upbeat, fast-tempo and catchy song, sure to get stuck in your head. 

“You gotta change
Where’s your sense of dignity
No hate, we gotta act differently
Why wait, be the positivity”

Kodi recently appeared on the program that brought him fame and attention – America’s Got Talent, where he played his original track. As usual with a Kodi Lee performance, he brought down the house. The audience, including all four judges, gave the young man’s performance a standing ovation.

Following his performance on the AGT stage, Simon Cowell praised the young man and his musical talents. He stated that the original song, “Change,” showed that Kodi is a great artist and person.

Others who commented on the video’s YouTube link agreed with Simon’s assessment.

“I think this is my all time favorite song you have ever done. It’s fire. Thank you for this Kodi. People will be covering YOUR song now!” one person wrote.

“Just saw this…Wow. We need this playing on repeat. God bless you. Thank you for sharing,” someone else added.  

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Allie Sherlock turned in an outstanding and stirring performance of a classic hit from one of the most iconic and influential musical groups of all time, The Beatles.

Not many bands in music history are remotely comparable to The Beatles in terms of impact and the sheer volume of work. The four lads from Liverpool were not even together for an entire decade. Despite their relatively short run together, their music remains in heavy rotation and still resonates with generations decades after disbanding. 

In a clip posted on YouTube, Allie performs “In My Life” by The Beatles. Once again, Allie knocks the performance out of the park. No one will ever top a song originally performed and written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. However, her rendition of the beloved song is sure to get the seal of approval from even the most diehard Beatles fans. 

Allie uses her distinct and soulful voice to belt out those memorable lyrics first sung by The Beatles. She shows that she is an extremely talented and gifted performer with a bright future. 

“There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some have remain”

The beautifully and immaculately decorated venue in which Allie plays is a dramatic departure from her usual location. Normally, she plays on a busy street to a large crowd gathering to take in her terrific and soulful renditions. As the video’s description states, her performance happened in Manchester Arena and was part of the Queen Jubilee celebration. 

In the video’s title, Allie called the cover of The Beatles hit the “biggest performance of my career.”

At the end of her cover, the crowd in the arena erupts, rightly, with a thunderous round of applause. 

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Country music legend Alan Jackson turned in a moving live performance of a classic and beloved hymn, “Standing on the Promises.”

The world is a lost and broken place occupied by hurting people struggling to survive. Everyday living and its many worries and stressors can weigh people down and overwhelm them, making it seem that going on is impossible. 

But there is One who never leaves or forsakes us. He sticks closer than a brother in times of pain and sorrow. He will always remain faithful and loving, shedding His abundant and sufficient grace upon thee. 

In a clip posted on YouTube, Alan treats a packed auditorium to his dazzling and lovely rendition of the classic hymn “Standing on the Promises.” 

“Standing on the promises of Christ my King
Through eternal ages, let his praises ring
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing
Standing on the promises of God”

Throughout his performance, the camera catches several people singing along with Alan, voicing the tune’s beautifully written lyrics about waiting on and relying upon God’s promises. 

The entire audience erupts in applause as they demonstrate how much they loved and appreciated Alan’s cover of that beloved hymn.

As most people know, everyday living, with all its demands and stresses, can become unbearable. Getting through a day can feel like an accomplishment and something worth celebrating. 

But in those times, when everything seems to be going against us, and nothing appears to be going right, we can stand firm on God’s promises. That’s because we already know how the story ends. Jesus Christ went to Calvary, dying and suffering on our behalf. He has already won the victory, defeating sin, shame and death. 

Praise God. As the song so beautifully states, let His eternal praises ring!

Isaiah 41:10 “Have no fear, for I am with you; do not be looking about in trouble, for I am your God; I will give you strength, yes, I will be your helper; yes, my true right hand will be your support.”

Two talented musicians, Niall Horan and The Voice winner Huntley, joined forces for a stunning duet, performing Bob Dylan’s classic “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.”

Not many singer-songwriters have had even a tenth of the impact of Bob Dylan. Throughout his career, which has spanned decades, he has produced dozens of classic and memorable hit tunes. Additionally, he is consistently considered one of the greatest songwriters of all time. His songs, even though they may be decades old, are still constantly covered by other artists.

In a clip posted on YouTube, Niall and Huntley cover one of Bob’s many classic songs, “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” Both sit on stools in the center of the stage as they strum on guitars and belt out the classic lyrics, first written and performed by Bob Dylan. 

“Mama take this badge from me
I can’t use it anymore
It’s getting dark, too dark to see
Feels like I’m knocking on Heaven’s door”

To put it simply, Niall and Huntley’s cover is outstanding. Their voices work well together, perfectly complementing one another. Huntley’s scratchy and raspy tone makes for an excellent pairing with Niall’s more clean-cut sound. 

Niall and Huntley’s rendition is worth multiple listens. It’s such a calming and soothing cover. The studio audience seemed to agree as well. At the end of their duet, the studio audience erupted in a thunderous round of applause.

Others agreed as well. Several people who commented on the video’s YouTube expressed their astonishment at the awe-inspiring cover of the Bob Dylan classic.

“This was the best rendition of Knockin on Heaven’s Door I’ve ever listened to. With Niall’s story teller (sic) voice and Huntley’s husky tone and those high notes and harmonies, it’s just incredible. Great job gentlemen! I’d listen to a full album of your collaboration any day,” one person wrote.

“Cried the first time I heard them and now I listen to it daily. Sooooo good!!!” another individual added.

Psalm 95:1 “O come, let us make songs to the Lord; sending up glad voices to the Rock of our salvation.”

One member of the unbelievably musically gifted vocalist group Celtic Thunder delivered a moving, awe-inspiring and nostalgic-inducing performance of “When You Wish Upon a Star.”

A handful of songs immediately transport us to a specific time or bring up particular images in our minds. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” likely has listeners seeing photos of Dorothy’s ruby red slippers, the Tinman and “her little dog, too.” The opening notes of “Do-Re-Mi” will cause listeners to replay the scene of Julie Andrews singing and strumming a guitar on a mountainside.

Another tune that fits into the exclusive group of nostalgic tracks is “When You Wish Upon a Star” from the 1940 Walt Disney animated classic “Pinocchio.” Like those other songs, “When You Wish Upon a Star” is recognized and beloved by the masses. 

In a clip posted on YouTube, one member of Celtic Thunder beautifully performs that timeless tune, singing out those lovely lyrics. 

“When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires 
Will come to you”

You can’t listen to that song and not immediately get a warm and fuzzy feeling as you’re transported back to when you were a child. If there was ever a song meant to induce nostalgia and a longing for the past when times were simpler, this is the tune intended to do it. 

Not only is the talented young singer’s vocal delivery outstanding, hitting every note with expert timing and precision, but the stage is a sight to behold. The meticulously and wondrously decorated trees behind him literally help set the stage for the feeling conveyed by the song’s lyrics. 

Celtic Thunder is a group composed of immensely talented musicians. They continually churn out dazzling performances, flexing sizable talent and vocal muscles in the process. This performance of “When You Wish Upon a Star” is no exception to that rule. It deserves to be listened to multiple times.

Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”

An unbelievably talented, award-winning trio, The Texas Tenors, turned in a lovely medley of John Denver’s most memorable and beloved hits on Larry’s Country Diner.

Decades after his death, singer-songwriter John Denver’s work remains popular. John’s melodic and soothing voice and beautifully written words make his songs a treat to listen to every single time. He is easily one of the most influential and recognizable singer-songwriters ever.

Not only are John’s original versions immensely enjoyable, but other musicians have churned out a few pleasant covers. This includes one recent performance from The Texas Tenors. 

In a clip posted on YouTube, the 3-time Emmy Award-winning group appeared on Larry’s Country Diner. The guys thrilled the audience with a masterful musical mashup of John Denver’s most recognizable songs.

Their short but thoroughly enjoyable performance begins with the guys belting out the lyrics to “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.” Next, after a few verses of the 1970 song about living down on the farm, they seamlessly transition into arguably John’s most popular song: “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”

“Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, Mountain Mama
Take me home, country roads”

The guys’ harmonies are outstanding as they demonstrate their incredible level of musical talent. There isn’t a missed or flat note throughout the entire 3-minute clip. 

The guys even manage to get the audience in on their performance. After requesting that everyone get involved and “sing along with us,” the entire diner is clapping along and mouthing the lyrics.

Even those who aren’t big country music or bluegrass fans still love themselves some John Denver. At the bare minimum, they appreciate his hits, even if they aren’t familiar with any other John Denver songs. 

Who doesn’t love the simple but memorable lyrics and melody of “Take Me Home, Country Roads?” 

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

A musically gifted young woman turned in a stunning performance of “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!,” a tune from the legendary disco-era group ABBA, on the violin. 

The Lord has blessed everyone with many gifts, talents and skills. While those gifts are from God, on loan to us for a limited period, He expects a good return on His investment. We are supposed to use, invest in and multiply those talents and glorify His name in the process. 

One way to bring glory to and honor His name is simply by using those skills and abilities. Karolina Protsenko has been blessed with a ton of musical talent, specifically on the violin. In a clip posted on YouTube, the teenage violinist performs a lovely rendition of “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!”

“Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Won’t somebody help me chase the shadows away?
Gimme, gimme, gimme a man after midnight
Take me through the darkness to the break of the day”

Not only is she excellent on the violin, playing the stringed instrument with expertise and at a rapid pace, but she also seems to enjoy performing. Throughout the entire 3-minute and 20-second clip, she dances, hops and twirls all around the street as a sizable crowd takes in her stunning performance. 

A couple of people taking in the upbeat and catchy violin cover of “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme” move and groove along to the music. They slightly move their body to the beat. 

Even if someone is not the biggest ABBA or disco fan, it’s still easy to appreciate Karolina’s talent and skill on the violin. 

Several who commented on the video’s YouTube link mentioned how much they loved Karolina’s cover of the ABBA song.

“That was awesome, Karolina! Looks like you were having fun playing that song too! So much energy! Love it!” one person wrote.

“ABBA wrote some amazing songs, this being one and your beautiful violin playing does it awesome justice, BRAVO!!!!” another individual added. 

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

A talented young woman, Allie Sherlock, showed off her God-given gift for creating beautiful sound with a stunning cover of a beloved hit by The Pretenders.

Life is a series of unexpected situations and events – the good and the not-so-good. On the road of life will come plenty of times for joyous celebrations but also instances that cause extreme hurt, heartache and pain. No one will get out of life unscathed. Jesus Christ endured a painful, agonizing and wholly undeserving death and He was perfect. 

In a clip posted on YouTube, Allie Sherlock turns in yet another dazzling sidewalk performance. This time, the talented musician covers The Pretenders’ classic tune, “I’ll Stand by You.”

“I’ll stand by you
I’ll stand by you
Won’t let nobody hurt you
I’ll stand by”

Once again, Allie shows that God has blessed her musically. Her distinct and soothing voice could be listened to for hours at a time. There likely isn’t a song or a genre of music that she could not sing and do so in an extraordinary fashion. 

As the lyrics make clear, everyone needs someone to lean on and depend upon in life. Life's stresses, worries and burdens are often way too much for any person to attempt to shoulder. Life can even get to the point where going on seems an impossibility, and throwing in the towel is a much better option.

Luckily, there is One who never leaves nor forsakes us. Even in those rough periods of life, when we’ve reached our limit, Jesus Christ remains by our side, always guiding, directing and protecting. He also provides shelter and comfort to the weary. 

He is a loving, faithful and righteous God. He has never failed us yet, with no indication that will ever happen. He will always stand by us during life’s storms and battles. 

1 Corinthians 2:5 “So that your faith might be based not on man’s wisdom but on the power of God.”

An unbelievably talented group of bluegrass musicians who make up the band, Southern Raised, turned in a stunning and awe-inspiring cover of the classic song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

“The Wizard of Oz” is a beloved film that continues to be heavily viewed by many. From Dorothy’s ruby red slippers, Toto, the flying monkeys and the yellow brick road, the film is memorable for many reasons. 

Another reason why “The Wizard of Oz” remains so popular more than 80 years after its initial release is because of its many classic songs. In a clip posted on YouTube, the band Southern Raised gives the film’s most popular tune, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” a bluegrass makeover.

The performance of the song first performed by Judy Garland is another in a long line of fantastic covers from Southern Raised. It’s a delightful and dazzling take on the tune loved by many, one that is sure to bring up a feeling of nostalgia.

“Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true”

This is a near-perfect cover. The instruments are expertly strummed and plucked. The vocal performances are outstanding, especially from the young woman sitting center in the clip. Her beautiful voice singing the memorable lyrics makes their version an enjoyable listen.

Many others who commented on the video’s YouTube link agreed wholeheartedly and expressed their delight with Southern Raised’s performance of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

“Wow! What a fresh and beautiful sound unrolling like satin; a rich sheen and voices and instruments. Beautiful renditions with a full and complete sound,” one person wrote.

“This sounded totally awesome. I always look forward to the songs that y’all record, A lot of people have done covers of this song but not as good as this,” a second individual added.

“WOW! What an awesome version of this classic song…well done!” someone else wrote. 

Psalm 95:1 “O come, let us make songs to the Lord; sending up glad voices to the Rock of our salvation.”

A young woman, Angelina Jordan, showed off her stunning, God-given singing voice, performing “What a Difference a Day Makes” on Little Big Shots.

No two people are the same. Everyone has been blessed with different skills, talents and gifts. Some may have gifts that are more readily apparent than others, but all have God-given abilities.  

Now, what we do with and how we use those talents remains entirely up to us. However, we are supposed to use those gifts to bring glory and honor to His name. One way to magnify His name is by simply using those skills the Lord has given. 

In a clip posted on YouTube, Angelina Jordan demonstrates her incredible singing voice for all to hear. She puts on a fantastic performance of Dinah Washington’s classic, “What a Difference a Day Makes.”

“What a difference a day makes
24 little hours
Brought the sun and the flowers
Where there used to be rain”

Soon after the music begins and Angelina starts singing, it’s clear this young woman has the voice of an angel. Her voice pairs perfectly with the tune’s lovely lyrics and melody.

It's almost unbelievable a voice that sounds that good, professional and experienced is coming out of someone so young. She has been blessed with talent beyond her years. 

Several who commented on the YouTube link were stunned by the young woman’s outstanding voice, claiming it was from heaven. 

“One of the most unique voices coming out of these shows. It’s all natural. She needs a lot more exposure,” one person wrote.

“The sweetest voice this side of heaven!” another individual added. 

“Truly a voice from heaven!” someone else declared.

Most people will wholeheartedly agree that Angelina has the ability and the talent to sing anything and knock it out of the park, much like her appearance on Little Big Shots. 

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ be in you in all wealth of wisdom; teaching and helping one another with songs of praise and holy words, making melody to God with grace in your hearts.”

One of the biggest groups from the 70s and 80s, Earth, Wind & Fire, took the stage on The Voice and gave an outstanding performance, playing a medley of their most popular and beloved hits.

There are some songs that a majority of the population instantly recognizes within the first few notes. Classic tunes from The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash fall into this exclusive category of beloved songs. When those songs begin playing, you can’t help but sing and tap your toe along.

Earth, Wind & Fire is another group that has produced several memorable tracks during their career. In a clip posted on YouTube, the legendary group appeared on The Voice and played those beloved hits.

Who doesn’t love “Boogie Wonderland,” “Let’s Groove” and the iconic “September?” 

“Do you remember, the 21st night of September
Love was changing the mind of pretenders
While chasing the clouds away”

The guys sound absolutely fantastic! They put on a show-stopping performance that had the entire studio audience singing and dancing. 

Their music is so infectious that you can’t help but provide your own vocals as well. Listening to an Earth, Wind & Fire song will instantly improve your mood! 

Others who commented on the YouTube link mentioned how much they loved and adored their performance on The Voice.

“It’s amazing how these guys sound as good as they did 45 years ago!!” one person wrote.

“I have no idea how The Voice got Earth, Wind, and Fire, but this honestly feels like the biggest stars they’ve ever gotten,” a second individual added. 

“One of my fav groups. Been listening for over 50 years. They still got it,” someone else posted.  

Earth, Wind & Fire songs are still in heavy rotation on radio stations today. Television shows, commercials and films also heavily use the legendary group’s terrific music. 

Psalm 95:1 “O come, let us make songs to the Lord; sending up glad voices to the Rock of our salvation.”