Audrey Bandley's BIG Announcement Revealed!!!

Big Announcement in 36 hours and Counting...

Just a heads up, all.  Expect an announcement here within 36 hours.  But for now, here's a little thought I had today.

Now Booking for Fall 2013

I've kept pretty busy this summer performing in several different locations for several different groups. 

I have finally found my niche.

From my own personal experience, through trial and error, I have found that every single audience is different.  Every group has unique needs.  And yet, each has something in common:  they long for something to touch their hearts.

So, this year, I have meditated, prayed my little guts out  and discovered that MY niche is MY testimony.  So I've changed things up.

Here's how my firesides are NOW designed:

First, I get to know the audience/group a little by asking questions upon scheduling the event.  Questions such as "What's your theme?"  or "What are special needs in your ward?"  or "What topics would YOU like me to address?" are not uncommon.  That way, I can get to know your group a little bit better and feel a bond with them upon arriving.  Then, I dive into some serious meditation and scripture/gospel study.  I'll often spend several hours researching topics specific for your event.  In the end, I'll construct a fireside specifically geared to those who will be listening.

I've done this all summer long and the impact has been incredible!  Whether it's been for a youth conference of 15 or a YW Girl's camp of 200+, the Spirit has been the same.  And I love it.

So, in case you're looking for a speaker/presenter for any of your upcoming activities, I'm currently creating my schedule for Fall 2013.  Contact me at audreybandleymusic@yahoo.com  for further info.

Can't wait to meet you!

I've Got News!!!

Did you receive it in your email this morning? No!?! Leave me a comment below and I'll make sure you do...

International: Updated

Two weeks ago, I was notified of nine countries the Lord has taken my music to.  I was incredibly shocked but mostly honored.  Today, I discovered EIGHT more, for a total of 18 different countries!!! My heart is absolutely overflowing with gratitude! I always dreamed of sharing my testimony with the world and now I have that opportunity.

The greatest lesson I have learned thus far is to always, ALWAYS follow your heart and soul, giving The Lord your absolute, very best. And when you've done all you can do and after you have faith in yourself and after you have placed ALL your trust in Him, The Lord will open unseen, unimaginable avenues to accomplish His work through you.

Can you identify which flags go to the following countries?

Great Britain | Canada | Austria | Uruguay | Brazil | Guatemala | USA

Australia | Japan | Philippines | New Zealand | Germany | Portugal

Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) | France | Sweden | Norway | Spain

 

*This morning, this post was typed as having 3 new countries.  This evening, I found written proof of 5 more, for a total of 18.  WOW!  I figured I would just update this posting rather than make a whole new post for the news...

Survey Results

The results are in...thank you everyone for helping me see a little more into your soul.
I thought you'd all like to catch a glimpse of THIS SURVEY's results: (I already knew y'all were awesome, just not exactly HOW awesome...) ;)

International!?!

It was a really great and humbling blessing to receive word today that my music is being heard in these nine countries! Can you name them all?

(P.S. I totally forgot to include Germany...)

LDS Music Artist Showcase

I had the wonderful opportunity to perform with some very talented artists at the historic Old City Hall in downtown American Fork, UT.  Masa Fukuda, Jhonny K and Crew and various artists from Nancy DeMello's album, "Faith, Hope, Love".  It was a beautiful evening!

(Apparently, I'm the only one who didn't hear the photographer count to three...how typical...)

I was able to debut my latest song, "Just Not Today" , (a song about the emotions of infertility and others who are never given the opportunity to have a family) . I nearly cried when I saw grown men crying. I was told story after personal story about the heartache and heartbreaks. I received great, supportive feedback so I'll now move towards recording it!

Dear Girls...Oh! Be Brave!!!

Once in a while,

life leaves you breathless.
Sometimes it's because your panting, trying to keep up.
Sometimes it's simply because life takes your breath away,
sweeps you off your feet,
leaves you in a state of euphoria.

Nope.
That's not my case.
I'm just the prime example of the first case.
Busy.
Good busy.
But busy, nonetheless.

:)

Part of that busy-ness was the
beautiful opportunity to participate in
TWO presentations
for
TWO different Young Women activities
on the same night.

Busy...but beautiful.

I've thought a lot about those wonderful YW from
Fairview and Nephi the last couple days.

(I always wish that I had the chance to sit and talk with each of the YW individually.
It's the best part of my "job", my favorite part of the evening.
This night proved a little bit crazy in that I didn't even have the chance
to speak with the youth in Fairview after the event!)

BUT,
needless to say, the youth in both wards
made a very, very strong impact on my life.
Their enthusiasm, dedication, and
the goals they have set ignited in me a spark to be a better person.

So, this blog post I dedicate to the
beautiful Young Women I met this week,
as well as to those I will meet in the future:

My beautiful, brave young women, I encourage you to not only find the courage to
"arise and shine forth"
as we spoke about...

but also:

You have the strength. You have the choice.
You have the gift and the power and the ability.
You were saved for this very reason.

Be brave enough to show the world
where true peace and joy and happiness lies.
Be brave enough to speak kind words, to do good things, to love as Christ would love.
Be brave enough to stand alone
or to stand together
wherever you may be.
Be brave enough to shine the brilliant light
that you were blessed with,
that was put into your souls for this very reason.
Be brave...Be brave...Be brave...

BeYOUtiful Campaign

My good friends
(my most favorite photographers in all the whole entire world)

hiya papaya
have been running
a BeYOUtiful campaign


to celebrate the inner beauty that exists inside each of us.
I love the campaign.
I believe in the campaign.
So, I'm writing a song about the campaign.
I cannot WAIT to have it all put together and show ya'll.

But, for now,
I need you to
VOTE
for your very favorite FINALIST.
I'm not going to tell you WHO to vote for,
just vote for your favorite.
It seriously takes less than 30 seconds.

You can vote by clicking
HERE

(Oh, and you can once a day, every day till Monday!)

PLEASE
and
Thank you.

BYU Women's Conference Concert....and Me!

Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to work
backstage
with all of THESE incredible people:

(Clockwise from top left:
VocalPoint, David Osmond, Dustin Christensen, April Meservy,
Josh Wright, Cherie Call, Jenny Oaks Baker and Hilary Weeks)

...and THESE people:

(Clockwise from top left:
Bob Ahlander [head of music at Deseret Book], Tyler Castleton/Michael Dowdle,Rich Dixon
Matt Clayton and Kirby Heyborn)

...in front of THESE people (times about 10!)

(I don't really know all of their names to caption them all. Sorry...)

Seriously? Dream come true!
The End.

[photos courtesy of My Son's Photography]

Retreat! Retreat! Retreat!!!

I had a ton o' fun down in the beautiful middle of nowhere last night:

The Rockin' R Ranch in Antimony, Ut.

(the natives pronounce it "an.i.moe.nee". Do not announce the "t" or you will find yourself mocked.)

It was a blast performing last night for the Central & Southern Ut 4-H retreat. I giggled as 100 of the best 4-H'ers around sang and danced to "The Princess Pat" with absolutely no detectable melody line. Then I was lucky to witness

"The Mighty Pick-up Line Competition".

(My personal fave was when a young man held his arms out to the young lady, expecting a huge, hug-filled embrace and pulsed his eyebrows as he said oh-so-slyly, "Wanna hold the priesthood?" That one cracked me up. It was my very favorite...I don't know how it didn't win.)

I kicked off the night in a memorable way when I tried to ask the owner of the ranch for a glass of water and he had NO idea what I was asking for. How was I supposed to know he didn't understand sign language!?! (and why in the world was I using it, I had no idea!)

Next, in the middle of my introduction, I ever-so-gracefully spilled that large cup o' agua all over my posters...and notes...and camera...and sound equipment...but, no worries! I redeemed my awesomeness when I accidentally changed the song right in the middle of singing it...and couldn't get it back.

Needless to say, we had a knee-slappin' good time.

So, to all you 4-H'ers out there, a shout out for you! Wa-hooooooo!!!
(and never, ever forget how amazing you are...)

And now...I'm INTERNATIONAL!!!

I just got off the phone with Russ Dixon, producer of the 2011 EFY album. He informed me that my song, "The One", has been getting great reviews and, along with all the other songs on the album, is now being translated and recorded in several different languages and will be distributed into several different countries. This means I get to be a PART of EFY history: this is the first time EVER that EFY has gone international! Wahoo-ooo-ooo!!!


(I don't exactly know which languages and which countries. I was too caught up in the moment to ask...silly me...)

Ready. Set. Book Me, Now!

I am ready and SUPER EXCITED to begin booking events.
I'm still working hard to get my RS fireside "The Sacred Splendor of You" finished. It will be ready to perform March 1st.

BUT........

I NOW have a youth fireside ready to present which encompasses the 13th Article of Faith, which happens to be the theme for this year! It's fun and entertaining and heart-wrenching and thought-provoking and comical and silly and extremely serious all in one package. I've had so much fun performing this for the youth and I cannot WAIT to perform it all over the map! Did I mention this was WAY fun!?!

Here are some answers to a few FAQs:

YES...I am willing to travel.
YES...I am willing to travel out-of-state.
NO...there is no "fee" or "set cost" to have me present these programs.
YES...I would be grateful for any donation to help with gas expenses, though it isn't required.
YES...I will travel for groups of more than 30...so combine with another ward, if needed.
NO...I do not require it on a Stake level, though that would be AWESOME.
YES...I have a bishop's referral/references as well as several YW/YM Pres. references, if needed.
YES...I perform either in the chapel (for larger groups) or in the RS room (for smaller, more casual audiences.)
NO...I will not present the program in the Cultural Hall. (It lessens the reverence.)
YES...I need a piano-not an electronic keyboard.
YES...I will have my own mic/cord/stand for the piano, but I WILL need a second microphone either at the pulpit or somewhere in that vicinity.
NO...I do NOT promote or try to sell my music at the firesides. That's WAY too awkward for everyone involved.
YES...I will respond to your email ASAP, but it may take a day or two.
YES... I'd LOVE to come to your area.

For booking info: choose the "News/Events" page on the website www.audreybandley.com.
I CANNOT WAIT to hear from ya'll!

Big, Huge, Massive News!!!

All-righty! I'm super excited for this news, as if you cannot tell: I'm on the 2011 EFY CD! Seriously! Seriously? (That was my original reaction...after which I did a little dance or two or three, which I will NOT show you even if you ask!) Here's how it all went down:

Friday afternoon, while I'm literally up to my elbows in tomatoes (bottling homemade spaghetti sauce is NOT a glamorous ordeal around here), I get this totally random phone call. On the other end I hear, "Audrey? This is Russ Dixon from EFY Have you got a few minutes that you could speak with me about something?" Me, being the graceful and eloquent speaker that I am, I responded, "Uh, sure. I'm just playing in tomatoes right now. Let me wash my hands real quick." (At that point I'm SURE I had won him over...ugh...) I'm not really sure what else he said after that because my heart was pumping so LOUD that I couldn't exactly hear him, so I did what any smart person would do: I went outside. Certainly my heart won't pound this loud outside, right? It worked well enough.

('kay. Step back: For those of you who don't know, Russ Dixon is the top-dog Producer of the EFY albums. He also owns his own music label, owns a photography business, is in partnership with yourldsradio.com and is one of the singer/songwriters/producers AND members of the incredible a capella LDS group Colors. He's a pretty important man in the industry. AND, for those of you who don't know, EFY is the acronym for Especially For Youth, a huge program geared towards building the youth's testimony and is attended throughout North America by over 50,000 teens a year! It is by far one of the most influential experiences the youth are ever exposed to!)

Anyway, we chatted for about 5 minutes about family and tomatoes when he dropped the bomb: "I'm calling about your song 'The One'." (must...keep...breathing....) Anyway, in a nutshell, he wanted ME to drive to HIS HOUSE to work a little bit on the song HE deems as a must have for next year's CD. So, of course I did. I arrived there exactly 14 minutes prior to my appointment, played with his babies a little and chatted with his beautiful wife then sat in his studio for SIX hours working (however incompetently) on polishing it all up and recording the demo for him...while he sat right there...in front of me...absolutely no pressures, right?...Right...

Anyway, it was brought before the EFY board today and, whallah! I'm on the CD! Little-ole, rookie-ole me. what a way to kick off the career, eh? Soooooo....now we're off to the drawing boards to freshen it up, re-record and pump it up a wee bit and see what sort of lives we can influence! Wa-hoooo! Wish me luck, huh? I'm playing with the pros now...