At a client's upcoming convention in New Orleans in January, there's an act scheduled to perform — I'm guessing — to open the whole show. I've heard the name of the act bandied about, and every time I've heard it, I've felt a groan emanate from my girth. The name of the act is "The Cactus Cuties," and you can imagine my sense of apprehension as I imagined an act consisting of little girls dressed in little cowgirl costumes or something, no doubt related to one of the executives on the board of directors or the like.
Then, tonight, farting around on YouTube, I stumbled across a Cactus Cuties video — apparently the original video that put them on the map — and played it.
As I have waxed poetic about "The Star-Spangled Banner" in this blog before, I won't go into it too much. Suffice it to say that I am a sucker for that song, and if I let myself think about its story while it's playing — or even worse, while I'm singing it — I get all choked up.
Well, for the last ten minutes prior to composing this post I've been in tears listening to these little kids crank out "The Star-Spangled Banner" at various events around the country.
If the song itself doesn't tug a tear out of your face, then their crisp, almost flawless harmony will.
And there's not just one song. There are videos of some of the other songs they perform, and I guess they now have a studio album out.
Below is their performance on Independence Day this year on the *gag* 700 Club. I posted that here because it's the best quality video I saw.
(Just pause it and move on right after they say their names and ages, because right after that the witch lady gets all preachy.)
Next is the video that got them noticed, a performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at a Texas Tech basketball game.
Bear with me here... The next is another performance of their rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner," this time at a San Antonio Spurs basketball playoff game. Listen to the crowd, as it gives lackluster welcoming applause upon the group's introduction, and is then won over entirely halfway through the song!
Wait... let me get the tissues....
5 comments:
I was sent the link to one of these in email. These girls are fantastic, and it does bring a tear. I can't play them now (it's 5am and mr. kenju is sleeping) but I will play them later. Hope you are well.
If you enjoy the girl's music, there are 13 music videos posted at www.youtube.com/user/bullhead003. You can also read all about them and their activities at their web site www.thecactuscuties.com
What amazing talent!
Sorry, it'd take a lot more than that to bring a tear to THIS jaded eye. But I will grant you that they're a talented little bunch.
Being able to see the actual Star Spangled Banner and being able to visit Ft. McHenry and to look down the Chesapeake Bay and trying to imagine what that night must have been like make the National Anthem that much more powerful. To hear these girls belt it out so beautifully gave me goose bumps everytime. Yes I did watch all three clips and even scrolled through the Spurs one to watch the halftime show.
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