David's recent tweets & a lovely Deseret News article!

Awesomeage!



Plus Deseret News posted a lovely article on 'Glorious':

Click the image to read!

Motab performances with famous individuals!

Deseret News:

Thanks to FOD for the find!

"The story you haven't heard about David Archuleta's LDS mission" Article from Deseret News

Deseret News:

The story you haven't heard about David Archuleta's LDS mission

When David Archuleta made his run to the finals of "American Idol" in 2008, he sang for millions of people every week.

He had a positive impact on legions of fans that supported and advanced him to his runner-up finish. They later purchased his albums and tracked his journey on Facebook, Twitter and through his YouTube channel. They attended concerts, firesides and rooted for his success.

It’s tough to quantify the positive impact this young man has had on millions of eyes, ears and hearts.

But you already know that story.

You also know that he recently put his career and professional dreams on hold to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South America. It’s inspiring that during this crucial time in his career, at the ripe age for stardom, he’s hitting the pause button on his temporal life to serve the Lord.

It’s hard to gauge the enormous impact he will have on the people he serves, teaches and fellowships for the next two years.

But you already know that story, too.

What you don't know is what David did in the final weeks before saying goodbye to serve and have an impact on his smallest audience of all: one.

'David Archuleta: the Eagle, the temple and the music' from Deseret News

David Archuleta: the Eagle, the temple and the music

SALT LAKE CITY — It’s been a year since David Archuleta was the featured artist of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert.

Sporting a sweater and scarf, the 20-year-old "American Idol" star was in town last week for to promote his Christmas concert CD and DVD, sign autographs, sit for some media interviews and enjoy Thanksgiving with his family before beginning a Christmas tour.
See all 20 photos | Click to enlarge
David Archuleta received his Eagle Scout Award in December 2010, two years after he completed it.
Provided by Cal Madsen
David Archuleta received his Eagle Scout Award in December 2010, two years after he completed it.
From the archive

Hilary Weeks' 'Every Step' is making big strides – Nov. 11, 2011
Autistic Boy Scout earns 132 merit badges – Oct. 17, 2011
Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell brings joy of music to Utah – Oct. 1, 2011
Mormon Tabernacle Choir releasing digital album – Sept. 12, 2011
New companion book to President Monson's biography, other books announced at LDS Booksellers – Aug. 5, 2011

Polishing off a turkey sandwich during an interview, Archuleta described how honored he was to be invited to sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir he grew up admiring.

“It was an out-of-this-world experience,” Archuleta said. “Taking it in, singing, being there … It was cool.”

December 2010 is also special to Archuleta for another reason. It was last year, in between concert rehearsals with the choir, that the young Mormon celebrity received his Eagle Scout Award.

“I am so happy I did it,” Archuleta said. “I was far from the best Scout when I started. I wasn’t motivated at all, but … then I came back and got it. I was really happy I did.”

Archuleta credits his Murray neighbor and former Scout leader, Cal Madsen, for encouraging and helping him to attain the highest rank for a young man in the Boy Scouts of America program.

“I paid him to say that,” Madsen said with a laugh. “It’s a real credit to him. His dad also encouraged him. Archuleta took it upon himself to finish it. It was something he always wanted to do, but with his music and competitions, he didn’t think he would get there. But he followed up and worked hard enough to finish it.”

Incredibly, Archuleta earned his Life rank in Scouting during the year he was competing at "American Idol." A year went by with little progress and then Archuleta wrapped up his requirements — three merit badges and his service project — in the last three days before his 18th birthday in 2008.

He had previously fulfilled the requirements for Personal Management, a merit badge that helps a Scout learn to manage finances, and only needed a signature from the counselor. Sherry Madsen, Cal’s wife, signed off on his American Cultures badge. The last badge was Fire Safety, which required a meeting with members of a local fire department. Three days before Archuleta’s birthday, Cal Madsen called the Murray Fire Department and was told it might take a week to schedule an appointment.

Go to Deseret News to read the rest of the article and to view more photos!

SOF pics!

From SmileyMichelle:

From Heather, tons more HERE:

From John, tons more HERE:

And David was in the Deseret News, pic from Heather!

EDIT: Some pics from Mark!

The Donny Osmond of this generation.

Deseret News

Tons of MoTab buzz!

I'm just going to put it all in one post....

First, a new pic from MoTabChoir!


Next, David's on the front page of Deseret News! Credit to rhiminee:

And an article from Deseret News:

David Archuleta was endearing; Michael York, distinguished; the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, spectacular.

The music was glorious; the setting, magical; the messages, powerful. The dancers, the orchestra, the bells all added to the special flavor of the night.

It was, in fact, the very essence of Christmas. The annual Christmas concert by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir had all the joy, the reflection, the tradition, the emotion that make the season so meaningful.

Archuleta, who rose to fame as a finalist on "American Idol," brought youthful exuberance to the task. "It's mind-boggling to stand in front of the choir, and in front of you — and there are a lot of you," he told the audience. "I'm so grateful to be here."

His rich voice was equally at home with traditional carols such as "Joy to the World" and "Gesu bambino"; the sweet and tender "Cat and Mouse Carol," which talks of how "love came down to earth"; and a soulful "Silent Night." Archuleta also shared some of his own "pioneer heritage" with a Spanish carol, sung in Spanish: "Los pastores a belen."

Heritage played an important part in the narration, "Sing, Choirs of Angels," given by York. As all the best stories do, he said, it begins in the middle, in a humble Welsh home when a child named John Parry was born. The story goes on to tell the story of the beginning — but not the end — of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. As both a mason and a musician, Parry set out to build things that last.

The opening "Processional: A Christmas Roundelay" also carried a pioneer flavor. The dancers, choreographed by Carol Iwasaki, were splendid whether they were dancing at an old-fashioned celebration, an elegant ball, in the center of a music box or as if they were angels.

Richard Elliot's "A Holiday Hoedown for Organ (Deck the Halls)" featured amazing hand and footwork. York's reading of the Christmas story from Luke, the signature "Angels, from the Realms of Glory," the rest of the musical tribute to the season all proved the truth of York's musing that "we feel the presence of our ancestors and of generations after whenever we are joined in song."

At a press conference Friday morning, Archuleta and York talked about the "extraordinary experience" of appearing on the Christmas concert.

Archuleta grew up listening to the choir, and even now plays their songs on iTunes. And to be joining them at Christmas makes it "even more special," he said. "What we are celebrating, what we share with the music, what we talk about — at no other time of the year do you feel this way. You can't deny it. We are singing about and celebrating Christ's birth. It's very humbling to think about that."

For York, who has spent more than 45 years on stage and screen, the concerts provide a sense of continuity, he said. This past year he has spent 550 hours of recording time narrating the Old and New Testaments for a project called "Word of Promise."

Then he was asked to narrate Luke for a new Catholic Bible project. "I love Luke. He's such a great recorder. So to get to do Luke on this stage is like a dream fulfilled," said York. He also just released an album of prayers, "so in my mind, it's only natural to be here," he said. But, he added, it's also "a privilege and an honor to be here, to be part of one of the great celebrations of Christmas that the world puts on."

Narrating a story involving Welsh heritage was a moving experience, York said. "I'm half Welsh, so I feel that keenly. The courage they had to cross the ocean, the great faith they had. That's another reason why I want to be here. It's an extraordinary story worth the telling."

York is the only one who "could tell that story," added choir president Mac Christensen. "We are so pleased to have him here. He's a true, kind, brilliant genius."

As for Archuleta, "we've been trying to get him ever since he was on 'American Idol.' He's just gotten better, so now we have him at his best."

Choir director Mack Wilberg added his delight in this year's guest artists. It's great to feature "one of our own," as well as to have someone who brings "such stature to storytelling" as Michael York. Noting that it will again be filmed for release on PBS stations next year, Wilberg said, "the concert is our gift, not only to the community, but to the nation."

It's one that will be a treat to unwrap again and again.

Cutie.

Deseret News

David Archuleta says he's humbled to perform with Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Article from Deseret News. It's long, so click HERE to read it!

More Deseret Book signing details!

David Archuleta to sign autographs after Christmas performance

SALT LAKE CITY — Singer David Archuleta and actor Michael York will sign autographs after their performance at the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas concert Friday night.

Deseret Book, 45 W. South Temple, will host an autograph party for the two performers from about 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. The store has set some guidelines to ensure the two will be able to meet as many fans as possible.

• Don't ask for autographs to be personalized. It is a "signature only" signing.

• There will be a designated photo area from which people may take pictures of Archuleta and York signing. Time will not allow for posed photos.

• Have items ready to be signed. Store staff will be available for help opening CDs and DVDs, removing booklets and turning to a page for autographs.

Deseret News

David pictured in a charity article

David Archuleta, left, poses with Imelda Odgas and her nephew Ronnie, who are Guatemalan clients of the Utah-based microfinance organization Mentors International.

Deseret News