As Long as You're in the Neighborhood Anyway...

First an invitation, and then a little story. Follow the Star is a live nativity, and if you are here in the Orange County, California area the first weekend in December, it really is not to be missed. This will be the 13th year that the production will go on. I can describe Follow the Star... live animals (courtesy of some very dear friends of mine that own a nearby ranch), live actors, and very short and sweet. I didn’t attend Follow the Star for the first few years it was playing, mostly because it happens right after Sing Noel, which is a musical production I always seem to find myself playing for. The first time I went, I wasn’t sure quite what to expect. It was threatening rain that night, and as I wiped a few stray raindrops off my chair and sat down, the lights went down, and then slowly came back up... this part defies description... it was just so beautiful and full of the spirit that it seemed like it was over too quickly, and I ended up watching the next two shows as well.

Seven years ago, when my youngest son was a baby of about five months, they asked me if he could play the baby Jesus on one of the nights. I dressed him in a simple soft white outfit, and the mother who played Mary swaddled him for the show. There was another baby waiting in the wings, but because it was sprinkling outside a little bit, his mother wouldn’t let him outside. It was actually super funny, because the mother of the other baby came up to me and said, “It is raining outside. You’re not going to let him go out there, are you?” I said, “Sure, I know they will keep him safe and dry.” She kind of sniffed at me and said, “Is he your sixth child?” “Seventh, actually,” I replied. “Well, that explains it,” she said. “This is our first, and we are very careful with him.” I actually laughed a little. I wanted to say, “You’re absolutely right. We don’t even put ours in a car seat. We just strap him up on top of the car with some bungee cords.” Haha! Good times.

So that night he got to be the baby Jesus about six times. He never cried, although sometimes the baby does cry, and it doesn’t detract at all from the presentation. At one point during the first show, Mary had the baby Jesus (my baby Jesus) all swaddled, and one of his hands came free, and he waved his little arm in the air. I heard a little girl in the row ahead of me catch her breath, and say, “Oh, look! The baby Jesus is real!” She was so right: the baby Jesus was real, and he grew to be the Savior of all the world. I love him! That is why I write the songs that I do. That night I felt a moment of awe and wonder, and it happens each year just the same. If you have a chance to attend, don’t let it pass you by.

December 3-5, 6:00-9:30 p.m. each night
At The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - Altisma Building

29441 Altisma Road

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Singing in the Rain (Tandy Talks)

Hi, it’s me, Tandy. I am heading out the door for a program called Follow the Star, which is an amazing live nativity with animals and I get to be Mary! Not only that, but I get to sing “Mary, the Mother.” If you are going to be in the neighborhood, you should come and check it out. And yes, it is raining. But the show will go on, and I will still be singing.

But first, I wanted to talk about “It’s All About the Baby,” from my point of view. To answer some questions...

When did you start singing, and do you want to do it professionally?

Since elementary school I loved being in Chorus (which definitely was not the highlight of my “singing career,” looking back at the concert tapes…ahh!) and I took voice lessons for a short while... but truthfully I thought I was supposed to grow up to be an artist. That is, until I fell in love with music when I started singing in treble choir with Mr. Elg at Mission Viejo High School (if you have children of friends that enjoy singing that either go or will go to Mission, make them join choir! It’s such an awesome experience… not the typical cheesy choir you might imagine, as I did beforehand.

I am still trying to figure out what I want to do with music. There are many things I love and could possibly pursue... I definitely want to incorporate music, but am not wishing to pursue any path of “making it big.” I want to be able to raise a family. ☺

What was your experience like, recording for Victoria?

Haha… she’s totally chill to work with and would never make me cry! ;) ...except for moments I have had, deeply confiding in her about my worries and desires, and feeling true love, concern, and understanding from her thoughtful words and advice given in return. What made me emotional was how she would defend what she felt were my needs and desires and strengths, while I argued otherwise, worrying about everything and everyone else. I have very much valued the time spent with her during these past few months; she has become a dear friend in whom I feel I can confide when at times I may feel no one else would understand. Thank you so much. ♥

What is your favorite song on the CD, and why?

Track #5- “About the Baby.”
The first time I listened to this song, I was looking at the picture Victoria has on her blog of Jesus holding His mother, Mary. {This Liz Lemon Swindle painting} As I listened, I contemplated the life of my Savior Jesus Christ and what He has done for me...visualizing myself, or others that I loved, as the one He had encircled in His arms of mercy and compassion. I just pictured that moment, when each of us would come face to face with Him, and falling at His feet as the tears flowed, overwhelmed by the love one could feel in His presence. His sacrifice and love and mercy is real. Our loved ones will be taken care of. Whenever I wish to ponder the glory of our Redeemer, this is a song that will set the tone for the Spirit to be present.

Would you record again, if you got the chance?

I would do it in a second! Victoria mentioned wanting to write a duet, in which I would record my part before going on my mission, and one of my best friends Kevin Anthony recording the second part after he got back from his mission; then they could send it to me while I was out in the field! :D (That’d be sweet!)

I just want to say one more thing. We should show more gratitude to Victoria McDaniel and her musical ability. I am forever in debt for all the musical numbers she has accompanied for me. I’ll sing whatever and whenever she wants…haha! plus anything else I could do for her ;). Love you!