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Show Christmas Special Section C6 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2009 Musical family shares talents Marilyn M. Atwood STAPF WRITER Bedtime, for the Boothe family must have been a challenge. It was during poor economic times that their five little children slept in the same bedroom. Their wise mother, Velma, found a way to settle her little ones down by singing to them. It wasn't just lullabies, but also Primary songs and fun songs like "Chickery Chick" and "Little Red Fox." That bedtime tradition has been passed down to the next generation and may be the reason that the Boothes love to sing. Music became a fun pastime for the family. They enjoyed listening to their father, Wayne, as he played the harmonica and sang silly nonsense songs with them. Traveling in the car to visit loved ones took several hours, so to help pass the time and make it fun they sang rounds, old ballads and popular songs that were easy to harmonize to. Velma ( thought this may have been why singing "parts" came easy to her children. It's one thing to be able to sing well, but another to share that talent with others. Fortunately, the children learned from the example of their parents. Velma sang in duets and trios through her teenage years. Wayne sang solos and in barbershop quartets in high school and college. After they were married, they sang duets at weddings, parties and other social events. They used their talents to serve by singing at church and funerals. All of their children KT.' ~ ^ • ft ' *'J 1 in BARBERSHOP: Taken about 1976, this photo shows Layne, Mike, Steve and Dalian as a barbershop quartet. Their repertoire included "I've Been Working on the Railroad" and "Lida Rose." followed in their footsteps. Their oldest son, Randy, started playing the piano at about 6 years old. He picked out melodies with his right hand and his grandmother taught him to add chords with the left hand. He quickly caught on to playing the piano by ear. After piano lessons and years of practice, Randy can sit down to the piano without music and play his own arrangements and compositions. He has used this talent to accompany performing groups and in church productions like "Light of the World." The six younger children also took piano lessons and Layne and Marcie excelled at that talent. The brothers and Karen branched out to play musical instruments including guitar, harmonica, trumpet and drums. As teenagers Steve, Mike, Dalian and Layne played in rock bands with their friends. They started writing and recording their own songs. Their first album, called "Sunrise," was followed by others. Mike did the technical work to make CDs at their record-, ing studio at Boothe Brothers Music, a business Steve and Mike own together. No matter what kind of music they played, Wayne and Velma showed their support and encouraged their children use their talents. After serving missions, they continued to entertain others. The four younger brothers would sing in fourpart harmony, accompanied by Randy at the piano. They became very good at a cap- Courtesy photos FAMILY OF MUSICIANS: Pictured, front row, left to right, are Marcie, Wayne Velma and Karen; back row, Steve, Dalian, Randy, Layne and Mike. pella and often performed as a barbershop quartet at social gatherings. When Spanish Fork presented Michael McLean's production of "The Forgotten Carols" all five brothers sang a cappella, "Homeless (Like the Christ Child Was)". That was one of my favorite memories of that production. Some of the Boothe family members went on to tour and perform in college. Randy, Steve and Karen performed with "Showcase Hawaii." Steve sang in the "Sounds of Freedom" at BYU, Randy directed and accompanied that group. Marcie sang in a performing group at Ricks College. Randy has been the artistic director for the BYU Young Ambassadors for many years. Through song, the Boothes have shared messages of faith, love and brotherhood with people all over the world. Now that the holiday season is here, the Boothe family will gather to celebrate Christmas. Randy will compose a new song with his wife, Susan, writing the lyrics (a tradition they have carried on for about 28 years). His brothers , also talented at composing, might share their new Christmas songs. Wayne and Velma will have fun being with their children and 40 grandchildren. Family members will present a talent show and they will have a sing-a-long of their favorite Christmas songs. The music and being together is sure to bring the spirit of Christmas to the whole family. I have been friends to many of the Boothe family members. I have even had the privilege of singing with some of them. They are humble, down-to-earth people who would never boast about their accomplishments, yet their music has been an inspiration to me and many others. That's a Boothe family tradition to unselfishly share their talents to bless the lives of others. It's Christmas and N^w partyy ^ Dominos was recently voted the favorite pizza of both Santa Claus and Baby New Year! Make plans NOW for the Holiday Special Large any topping pizza, no limit! $8.99 valid thrpugh 1-1-10 12-13-09 to 12-20-09 is National Customer Appreciation Week! Large 1-topping +extra cheese $5.99 Hours: Dec. 24th, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Christmas Day: Closed New Year's Eve: 11 a.m.-i 1 p.m. New Year's Day: 11 a.m.-IO p.m. bur store locations: • Spanish Fork 798-0303 RUfflO-DIESEfi 875 South Main St. Spanish Fork Phone: 798-1987 Fax:798-1988 • Springville 491-7111 • Payson 465-1112 • Santaquin now open! 754-0333 l%rry Christmas and flappg year! |