FYI for those who might want to know.

Always and Forever...an RT Fan
Linda and Guide, Greg

Thanks Linda, thats good to hear.
hugs, Dee

Way to go Randy!!!! Thanks Linda for the information. Glad to see you back posting and you were greatly missed!

Twyla
RTFan2006

I appreciate your kind words. Here is an article that references Randy by one contestant.
Again, it is always nice to see what an influence randy is, even to others in other countries:
God bless our Armed Forces.

http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/10/28/29466-12-semifinalists-selected-for...
12 semifinalists selected for Operation Rising Star singing contest
Oct 28, 2009
By
Tim Hipps
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Oct. 28, 2009) - Twelve members of the U.S. military Family have
been selected to compete in the final week of competition in the Operation Rising
Star singing contest, scheduled for Nov. 14, 16, 18 and 20 at 8 p.m. in the Wallace
Theater here.
Twelve judges selected the semifinalists after viewing the videotapes of local winners
from 35 installations and duty stations worldwide. The Army Family and Morale, Welfare
and Recreation Command-backed contest, based on the premises of FOX television's
"American Idol," will be broadcast by the Pentagon Channel Nov. 15, 17, 19 and 21
at 8 p.m. in the United States, Korea and Europe, and 10 p.m. in the Middle East.
Audience members and Internet viewers can cast votes online at www.OpRisingStar.com
for 2 hours after each broadcast.
The semifinalists invited to attend the live elimination rounds are:
Thea Agnew, a military spouse at Fort Campbell, Ky., advanced with "I Can't Make
You Love Me" and "Just a Dream."
"Music has healed the pains, comforted the sorrows, given hope in despair, put the
'p' in party and made me dance," said Agnew, a fan of Martina McBride and 2005 American
Idol winner Carrie Underwood.
Staff Sgt. Tyrone Basnight of Kaiserslautern, Germany, said music "helps me stay
positive and upbeat when life gets stressful."
Staff Sgt. Michael Gordon of Camp Humphreys, South Korea, sang "Color," and said
he feels like he's on top of the world when on stage. "All my problems or stresses
go away when the first note comes out of my mouth," said Gordon, who derives inspiration
from country artist Randy Travis.
Pfc. Andrea Griffith of Fort Eustis, Va., sang "The Way We Were" on her qualifying
video, and said "music, along with God, has always been the center of my life."
A1C Jamie Jarmon of Andrews Air Force Base, Md., is another Clarkson fan who said
"music is something I loved to do with my dad. Singing always puts me in a great
mood." She sang "Stay" and "Simple Man" on her video entry.
Staff Sgt. Chad Kneller of Fort Bragg, N.C., says he began singing at age 2. He advanced
with "My Savior" and "Truth."
Sgt. 1st Class Denise Patterson of Fort Bliss, Texas, a gospel singer who prefers
Fantasia, wowed the judges with her rendition of "Under the Boardwalk." She said
music "has helped me sing my way through several obstacles and triumphs."
1st Lt. Sarah Payeur of Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo, said "there isn't a single moment
or time in my life that's not connected to some song." She appropriately advanced
with "Life is a Cabaret."
Lisa Pratt, an Army wife at Fort Carson, Colo., advanced with "Blue Moon of Kentucky,"
and says music defines her.
"I study it. I practice it. I live it," Pratt said.
Sam Tang, a military spouse at Fort Irwin, Calif., who claims inaugural American
Idol winner Kelly Clarkson as her favorite, used music to deal with teenage hardships.
She qualified for the Operation Rising Star semifinals with "Chain Chain Chain" and
"Run To You."
Capt. Donald Williamson, a chaplain at the U.S. Army Garrison in Bamberg, Germany,
sang "You Raise Me Up," and said "music has brought joy to my life and those around
me - from singing in church to performing in musicals to singing and leading songs
in a field chapel in Forward Operating Base Afghanistan."
Spc. Erin Sataloff of Wiesbaden, Germany, sang "At Last," and calls music his sanctuary.
Sataloff, though selected as a semi-finalist by the panel of judges, will not compete
in the live elimination performances because of a mission-related conflict. An alternate
will be selected by the panel of judges.
"We're disappointed Erin won't be able to join us," said Tim Higdon, Army Entertainment
Division program manager for the competition.
"She's a solid performer and would have been a great addition to the live shows,"
he continued, "but these are Soldier programs, and mission comes first. We certainly
hope to see her compete again next year."
Following a week of rehearsals, vocal coaching and choreography training, the dozen
semifinalists will be reduced to six on Nov. 14 at Wallace Theater, where they will
be accompanied by the U.S. Army Band on a stage built by members of Army Entertainment
Division. That show will be broadcast Nov. 15 on the Pentagon Channel.
The six finalists will be announced during the Nov. 16 live show at Wallace, which
will be broadcast Nov. 17. On Nov. 18, three competitors will be eliminated (that
show will be broadcast Nov. 19) and the winner will be revealed live at Wallace on
Nov. 20. The finale will be broadcast on the Pentagon Channel Nov. 21.
The public is invited to join the studio audience at Fort Belvoir. General-admission
seating is free, and reserved VIP seating is available. Visit www.oprisingstar.com
for show times, voting policies, and details about VIP tickets.
The contest is sponsored by the General Motors Military Discount program. VIP tickets
for the Nov. 18 finals will be available Nov. 10-12 at the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
display on Fort Myer, Va.; Nov. 14 and 16 and Nov. 16-18 at Fort Meade, Md.
For more information, contact FMWRC's Shirley Kappa at (703) 681-5221 or via e-mail
at Shirley.Kappa@us.army.mil.
(Tim Hipps writes for FMWRC Public Affairs.)

THANK YOU for posting. Missed you. In a few days my wife and I are going on an eight day Cruise to Acapulco so I won't be posting after next Monday for a couple of weeks. Pray for the Fish as we'll be eatings lots of 'em! Love lobster and all seafood.
Dr Don Givens

DRGivens, have a safe trip. Thanks for the update so we won't be wondering where you are.

I've never cared much for seafood myself so the fish are safe where I'm concerned.

Always and Forever...an RT Fan
Linda and Guide, Greg

Thanks for the heads up Dr. Givens, enjoy your Cruise.

I too wish you and your wife safe travels and a great time on your trip. drgivens.
I am with you, I love sea food. Lobster tail being my favorite. But also love scallops, oysters crab, clams (only in a chowder )shrimp and just about any kind of fish going with the exception of catfish. So the fish wouldn't be safe with me either. LOL.

And yes, it is good to have Linda back among us again.
hugs, Dee

read Linda. I agree that it is good to see Randy having influences on others with talent and inspiring dreams . Music is such a great joy in our lives. It can have so many different effects , depending on the need at the time. I know it has helped me get through many difficult times in life.
Thanks for posting that. It sounds like it is going to be a great show.

I am familiar with many of the songs selections. I wish we got the Pentagon channel. As close as we are to the Pentagon, one would think it would be among the cable or satellite listings. But its not with Direct TV anyway.
hugs, Dee

Have a wonderful trip with your wife Dr. Givens. =)

Take care
Forever and ever a # 1 RT Fan
Jasmin

Dr. Givens do enjoy your Cruise. I would be scared to death to go on one but i know most people do enjoy them.

Dee, we get the Pentagon Channel; the real trick for me is remembering when all of this stuff is on. But i know already I'm routing for the guy who's inspiration is Randy. I mean, how can i help it?

Always and Forever...An RT Fan
Linda and Guide, Greg

Starca, yes people do enjoy them but I wouldn't be able to go on a cruise myself. I cannot swim at all and I will refuse to even go on a small boat ride which I did like 5 times and did not like it (LOL) But it is good to see that people enjoy them. I have an Uncle who has been on like 3 different ones and showed me pictures which were simply beautiful!! =)

Take care
Forever and ever a # 1 RT Fan
Jasmin