Picton Fair & Rising Stars 2009

It was a very busy weekend for the Rutherford family at the Picton Fair.

The kids and I went to the fair to help set up the church booth in the Crystal Palace





















Then we were off to the Rising Stars competition for Amy's audition. There were 15 contestants, all vocal, with one being a band.

Amy made it along with 9 others to the semi finals after singing "The Water is Wide" an arrangement by the late Eva Cassidy.

On Saturday we were back at the fair for noon for the semi-finals. Amy did a splendid job and even received applause in the middle of her song for a particularly difficult part. She sang another Eva Cassidy arrangement, "Over the Rainbow". I love this song. Judy Garlands version was fine, but Eva really owned it!



















Jay and I were really hoping that Amy would make it to the top 5 finalists as a confidence boosting excercise you know? However...

She did even better by placing 3rd overall with Amy Sedore in 1st and Becky Elliott in 2nd. These girls were all amazing. Beautiful girls inside and out and wonderful voices. Amy Sedore even won the Peoples Choice to open for Shania Twin Saturday night AND she was the judges choice to sing the Canadian anthem (bilingually) for when the Olympic Torch comes to Picton. We are so proud of her!

So, anyways back to my Amy. She was amazing, awesome, fantastic...what other adjectives come to mind, feel free to use them (as long as they're complimentary of course) :)

Here are a few pictures of the girls at the competition and the video that was shot of Amy singing in the semi finals. The sound and colour did not turn out at all...doesn't sound anything like the performance in person, but it's all I've got.

Amy singing "Over the Rainbow"


The 3 finalists with their trophies and prizes


















Amy & Amy























































The girls with Bev & Bill, a lovely couple who are constantly offering support and encouragement to the youth and are probably the Rising Stars biggest supporters.


















I am going to take Amy to the church (hopefully) this Thursday to have her sing on our NEW sound system and record it with our camcorder. I will post that once it's done.

Now to the rest of the weekend. When we weren't in the big tent we were able to get out and enjoy some of the different activities and vendors. Sunday was family day and we just hung out and enjoyed our time together.

Below are some pics of the kids at the fair. They had such a good time this year.

Amy's friend Emily joined her for the day and they had a blast.

Simon on the roller coaster (does he look likes he's having a good time or what?)



















Two beauties

















































































































































































What a great day!

Family Music Videos

Amy, Amy, why won't you sing anymore. My heart is so sad and misses listening to your angelic voice.


When Amy was little she always loved to sing in the car. No matter where we going, you could always count on hearing her in the back seat singing Amazing Grace, His Eye Is On The Sparrow or some other hymn in the sweetest, most beautiful voice. I so miss those days.


Now I have to beg her to sing for me. I'm grateful that we recorded a cd when she was 9 years old for her grandpa's Christmas present. I occasionally pull out that cd and listen to it and remember those days. It feels so long ago now.


Will she ever get back the desire to sing publicly? Will she remember that her voice is a gift from her Lord and use it for Him? I pray so.


I've put together a few videos here to share. Hope you enjoy them as much as Jay and I do.


Singing at Wesley Acres summer of 2007.

This is Amy's voice recital from June 2007 accompanied by her music teacher Robert Martin.

Singing "You Make It Rain for Me" at Wesley Acres 2006. The following songs were sung for a fundraiser for Jon & Carol Reeds mission trip Brazil.

Wayfaring Stranger

Go Light Your World

Amy and Simon both participated in the Rising Stars Competition last September 2007. These video are their showcase performances on the last day, September 9th.

The last couple of videos are of Simon. The first one he's singing at our church. We were there one evening practicing some music Amy was supposed to sing, and Simon wanted his moment in the limelight.

Simon's voice recital at age 5 with Emily Fennell. Here he's singing the song from Pinocchio, "I've Got No Strings".

Comments welcome :-)