David Archuleta, a finalist in a previous season of American Idol and a popular recording star today, says his family is his inspiration. His life as a singer really began when his father brought home a recording of “Les Miserables,” which he quickly learned to sing with perfect pitch and accents. His talent is inherited. His grandmother and mother were both singers, and his father was a trumpet player. In his biography he wrote, “Some of the greatest memories I have are just being with all my family and having a great time.”
By today’s standards, David’s family is pretty big. He’s one of five children and has said he couldn’t do what he did without his family’s support.
David is a Mormon, and Mormons are known for making their families a central part of their lives. Every Monday night, they hold family night, spending special time just with their own families, learning about Jesus, enjoying treats, playing games and singing. It’s likely David started singing right in his own family nights.
Mormon families have gotten a lot of attention in the show business world. Did you see Donny or Marie Osmond on Dancing With the Stars? They are a brother and sister from a very large family–nine children. All but the two oldest brothers, who are deaf, formed a popular singing group in the 1970s, and today, five of them still sing country music, and Donny and Marie sing together in a Las Vegas show. Their close family life got a lot of media attention, and fans called their mother Mother Osmond, knowing almost as much about her as they did about her famous children.
How does your family help you reach your goals or build your talents? How can you show them how much all that means to you? When you see David Archuleta or other Mormon teenagers in the media, you’ll almost always find something about how they credit their families for their success, but they also give back to their families in the form of love and appreciation. It’s not always a natural thing for teens to do, but watching people like David can help us figure out how it’s done.
Glad to have you guys back after an almost 3 year hiatus! Great blog posting! Hope this is a sign of things to come?
David Archuleta is such an amazing example of the Gospel. He lives it everyday. At a meet and greet that I attended someone asked him if since he has been in the entertainment business. If anyone had asked him to compromise his values. He responded that at first they tried and when they realized that he wouldn’t they quit asking. He then said “There is no reason whatsoever to compromise your values” What an amazing young man he is!!!