Paul Cardall

Performing Wasatch

2011-06-21T13:09:00.001-07:00

Inspired by the mountains that overshadow my home in Utah each morning as the Sun rises from the east. I have performed Wasatch at several of my concerts. This particular performance is on a DVD available with my new album New Life.

Ive been fortunate to share the stage with many of these musicians; David Tolk, Jon Shults, Ryan Tilby, Craig Miner, Steven Sharp Nelson, Marshall McDonald, Kevin Davis, and more.

For more information visit my website http://www.paulcardall.com

New Life debuts #1 Billboard's top 25 New Age Albums

2011-03-03T15:10:00.001-08:00

I began recording albums independently almost twenty years ago. I later signed a recording contract with Virgin Record’s Narada label, one of the most well respected new age record labels. Their team was able to get my Christmas Box album listed as the #23rd best-selling new age album of 1999. Since then, I’ve had several recordings debut in the top 10 including Primary Worship, The Hymns Collection, and Sacred Piano. I never dreamed of having a #1 album until joining the Shadow Mountain team this past year.

Today, the prestigious Billboard Magazine reported my new album, New Life, as the #1 new age album in the world. This really has nothing to do with me, but has everything to do with those of you who have supported me and purchased my music. It also has everything to do with Deseret Book and the amazing team of people associated with their company.

It’s become quite clear that if Shadow Mountain Records releases a classical or new age recording it will debut in the top 5 with names like Josh Groban, Yanni, Enya, John Williams, Yo-Yo Ma, and much more. Deseret Book is quickly becoming one of the most respected forces in media, which can no longer be ignored. I am humbled and honored to be associated with all of you.

I want to thank everyone for helping us achieve this monumental accomplishment. This would never have happened without your support and loyalty. To Bob Ahlander and the Shadow Mountain team, you believed this would happen and you made it happen. I am grateful for your faith in my music and in its message of peace, love, and hope.

Again, thank you everyone for your hard work and unified efforts. Together, we have a #1 album.

Students Lead the Way

2011-02-25T12:03:00.001-08:00

In the heart of the Salt Lake Valley are thousands of young men and young women who recently committed their time to making a difference in the lives of those affected by congenital heart disease.

Both Brighton High and Jordan High School students devoted two months to raising money and awareness for The Paul Cardall Family Foundation. Whether it was buying a faculty parking spot, heart cookies made by other students, or joining a "Call of Duty" video game tournament, students turned out in droves to help do what they can.

(Presenting a check for $16,000 to Paul Cardall for CHD at the New Life Concert)

Needless, to say I was impressed and overwhelmed by their efforts. Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future." It's quite obvious, the youth in my community are already leading by example.

(Presenting a check for $15,000 to Paul Cardall for CHD at the New Life Concert)

Every single penny generously donated has the power to directly affect the lives of families associated with congenital heart disease. Our foundation, which my wife Lynnette and I started after I received a heart transplant and an overwhelming embrace of community support, has no paid employees and is devoted to provide education, fund research, and assist fellow organizations and individuals associated with congenital heart disease and other related congenital disorders. Funds acquired go directly to the following:

1. Scholarships

2. Public and private awareness and general education to help bring greater attention to congenital heart disease patients in an effort to prevent premature death, prolong the health and well-being of congenital patients.

3. Seed money for Federal grants associated with selective research projects making a difference in the lives of patients.

4. Financial aid to organized support groups dedicated to strengthening the emotional, mental, and spiritual lives of patients and families.

Again, our foundation greatly appreciates your support and all of the support students worked so hard to make a difference.

My New Life

2011-02-15T15:13:00.001-08:00

Therapists and some doctors suggest people should not make any major decisions until a year after experiencing a dramatizing event. I completely ignored this advice. Looking back, I never stopped moving. I made all sorts of decisions in an effort to shout out to the world my gratitude for life and how grateful we all should be for the time we have been allotted by a loving God.

I must admit, they may have been right because at times I do feel like life is out of control. Maybe that means I'm normal. Regardless, we all experience ups and downs.

I'm grateful for Carma Wadley of the Deseret News who wrote a beautiful piece that has helped me put my life into perspective. Whether the article inspired readers, I don't know. But it certainly has helped me focus much deeper on why I do what I do. Who needs a therapist to explain your life to you when you have a wonderful journalist like Carma?

Benefit celebrates musician's 'New Life'

By Carma Wadley

Deseret News

Published: Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011 4:00 p.m. MST

It's not just about the heart — the one he was never sure he would get in time — although, that, certainly, is part of it.

But it's also about knowing that someone else had to die so that he could live.

It's about learning to live in a world without a beloved brother, who was killed in a tragic incident. It's about learning more of the depth of character and faith of his wife and family.

It's about being able to go hiking and camping and to Disneyland. It's about developing a deeper relationship with a kind and loving Father in Heaven.

It's about burdens of grief and guilt, but also about the lift of unspeakable hope and joy.

In short, it's about finding a new life.

"There have been so many emotions," Paul Cardall says of the 16-month journey since he received a heart transplant.

As a musician and composer, it is natural that he expresses those emotions through music, which he has done in a new CD, "New Life" (Shadow Mountain Music).

But he also found that it didn't come easy. In all the time he spent in the hospital, Cardall only wrote one song. He would go out to the piano in the lobby in Primary Children's Medical Center every night, but he would find himself playing the same song over and over, a song he called "New Life."

"For me" he says, "music, opens a conduit to heaven and provides my soul with strength and peace. That's what 'New Life' did for me."

After the transplant came through and recovery was assured, there was a benefit "Celebration of Life" concert to put together, and then a book, "Before My Heart Stops Beating" to finish up. There were hikes to go on and activities to plan of things that had not been possible before. There were trips around the country to speak at hospitals and to young patients suffering from congenital heart disease, the nation's number one birth defect.

But there was little new music.

"I would sit at the piano, but I would feel like I wasn't ready. I couldn't write anything new."

Continue the Article

Concert Next Week: Auction Items!

2011-02-08T09:28:00.000-08:00

It's national heart month and with only 6 days to go before the big Celebrate Life concert and benefit auction in Salt Lake City at Cottonwood High on Valentines Day, I'm excited to share with you a partial list of some of the donated auction items that will help support families and organizations associated with Congenital Heart Disease.

Tickets can be purchased through Smithstix.com and will also be available the night of the show at Cottonwood High School at face value.

Events begin at 6:30 pm with the silent auction.

Some of the fun items include;

EDUCATION

A Full Tuition Waiver to attend Salt Lake Community College
(beginning bid at $750)

SPORTS

Watch Booze Looze in Chicago: JAZZ vs. BULLS
Bid on this round trip ticket for you and a friend to enjoy two nights at the Hyatt Regency in the HEART of Chicago, and 6th row tickets in the Bulls Arena (March 11-13th)

Autographed UTAH JAZZ BALL
2010/2011 Team

Paul Millsap
Autographed Jersey

Utah Grizzlies
VIP Suite for 14 on Feb. 15th

Utah Golf Championship
VIP passes

and much more

KIDS
DRESS UPS GALORE!
and much more

ART

Anthony Romrell
The Heart of the Master Original Art

Melinda Smith
In Between Seasons Original Art

Curtis Hendrickson
Original Piece

and much more

The Paul Cardall Family Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization devoted to spreading public awareness, provide education, fund research, and assist fellow organizations and individuals associated with congenital heart disease and other related congenital disorders.

NO PAID EMPLOYEES

100% Volunteer Service

100% of all public & private donations directly benefit families and organizations associated with Congenital Heart Disease and other related disorders.

FUNDS DONATED PRODUCE:

Scholarships

Public and private awareness and general education to help bring greater attention to congenital heart disease patients in an effort to prevent premature death, prolong the health and well-being of congenital patients.

Selective research projects making a difference in the lives of patients.

Financial aid to organized support groups dedicated to strengthening the emotional, mental, and spiritual lives of patients and families.

Approved by the United States Department of The Treasury and Internal Revenue Service. Public and Private Contributions to the Foundation are deductible under section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Download the FREE Iphone App

2010-09-10T07:55:00.000-07:00

The Paul Cardall Iphone APP

Now available on the Iphone is the official Paul Cardall app offering exclusive free videos, a large collection of sheet music (you don't have to buy the sheet music, it's on there), events shedule in your hand, and much much more!

Download the FREE Iphone App

Latest News!

2010-04-14T20:39:00.001-07:00

Photos courtesy of Dustin Bess Photography

In this world there are those who act and those who are acted upon. To act is to do something productive with your life. These kinds of people have goals and vision. They lead, guide, and inspire others to act for themselves. People acted upon usually follow the ways of the world and probably feel empty inside. During last evening’s priceless concert event those who act surrounded me.

Photo: An empty Abravanel Hall during set up hours

This was my first public concert since my heart transplant five months ago, and I believe for almost two years.

It was an overwhelming and emotional experience for me. To be backstage and walk out onto a beautifully lit stage with my full ensemble while 2700 people stood to applaud was overwhelming.

The sold out crowd, which consisted of those in my community and folks who flew in from all over the nation, were not applauding me... They were applauding God and what he has done through a team of gifted medical professionals by preserving my life.

Photo: My wife Lynnette helping out daughter Eden get ready for the show

What affected me so deeply was knowing how many selfless people came together to successfully put on an event of this magnitude in less than 5 months.

From my close friend and show producer Jeremy Baron to my sister Carol Burgoyne who was our auction chairperson, these people helped me achieve a goal of bringing awareness to congenital heart disease and begin raising money to provide for my foundation, which is fueling an annual scholarship for those affected by the chronic illness.

A few days after my transplant with a dozen tubes running in and out of my body Jeremy visited me in the pediatric intensive care and suggested we do a celebrate life concert. He had a vision and I said, “Run with it.” He booked the finest venue in our Salt Lake valley and began contacting a talented stage crew from Cole Adams, who designed our lighting, Will Davies who ran the video, Joe Anderson who provided our sound, to Robin Saville of brideaccess.com who filmed the show. We also recorded the concert with the help of Rob Duffin and Giles Reaves from Annex Studios.

While Jeremy was prepping the production, my sister Carol Burgoyne headed the auction and gathered together a wonderful committee. Each member worked very hard to gather items for the auction and as word spread various businesses donated items to help us raise the money for our foundation.

My “Living for Eden” album producer Ryan Tilby began gathering a band together while Steve Nelson arranged strings for the show. All eleven musicians were a joy to work with and we joked that fitting them into my home to rehearse, with all of the gear involved, was truly like fitting a bunch of clowns into a car.

Photo: The Lobby

So much was orchestrated behind the scenes. When the day finally arrived I was nervous and overwhelmed by all that was involved.

The morning of the show I was dumbfounded to find Mike Willmore and his two boys Andrew & Joey, who spent the past Summer mowing my lawn, working once more together to help load in and set up all of the gear. In addition, my brother David and Craig were up early helping. They’ve always worked very hard and are extremely successful in their own lives.

Needless to say, the performance was exciting. I had a lot of fun. I hope everyone had a wonderful time and preserved a memory in their heart.

After I played my last tune, "Gracie’s Theme” my emotions ran sky high when my daughter Eden ran out to me followed by my beautiful wife. It was a priceless moment words can’t describe.

During the show another miracle occurred. It was a quiet miracle and a gift from our loving God. While performing my tune Sweet Escape I finally experienced some closure with the death of my brother Brian. Behind me on the screen was real footage of Brian’s visit to Peru with Anna on their honeymoon. The video ends with his infectious smile while he shuts off his camcorder. Later, after the show had ended and people flooded the backstage, I saw his beautiful widow Anna smiling and in that moment my overwhelming grief left me.

As the crowd emptied the hall, I was fortunate to interact with several wonderful people from all over the country backstage.

Photo: A Sold Out crowd

A touching moment for me came when I met several families who've been deeply affected this past year by congenital heart disease. From the families who've lost children to an individual who has survived CHD and has a child with a tumor. I was speechless for most of the interaction because I don't know how to help or what to say to alleviate their challenges. Needless, to say I was deeply affected by meeting such incredible souls. And because of the contributions of so many we will be able to send a modest financial donation to a several families.

(And a reminder the scholarship fund for those affected by CHD has an extended deadline to May 3rd - We'll announce the recipient on this blog).

I can’t express my gratitude for a priceless evening. I remember many years ago playing in the Roof Restaurant at the top of the Joseph Smith Building in downtown Salt Lake City. From my piano I could see Abravanel Hall and quietly dream that someday I would perform there. Last night, was someday!

To see the beautiful photography work of Dustin Bess, including more images from the concert visit his website: http://www.dustinbess.com

Story from the Deseret News

2009-02-11T21:17:00.000-08:00

(Stuart Johnson)

Pianist celebrates life as he awaits heart transplant

By Carma Wadley, Deseret News, Sunday, Oct. 05, 2008

Paul Cardall loves life. That, he says, is the focus of his latest album. The two-disc set, titled "Living for Eden," is very autobiographical, he says, and it's all about the things he loves in life.

"I can look at each period of my life and the music I've done, and it's like a journal. I listen to it and it takes me back to that time."

Although he considers himself mostly a new age pianist, his music has spanned a lot of genres and has gathered him a host of fans around the world. His first big breakthrough came with a CD of music inspired by "The Christmas Box" book and movie. But he's done solo piano, vocals, orchestral pieces, jazz, pop, LDS hymns and Christian rock.

A recent CD of LDS hymns actually went to No. 4 on the Billboard New Age charts, he says. "It's probably the first time 'Joseph Smith's First Prayer' hit the Billboard charts. A lot of my fans didn't know exactly what they were getting, but they just liked the music."

But this latest CD is a little different. "I've never done a whole CD that is so personal. Music, to me, has always been a means to an end, a way to share emotion." This one does a bit more -- on several levels. READ THE REST OF THE STORY

Living for Eden | Stories Behind the Music

2008-09-17T15:05:00.000-07:00

Each piece tells a story. They are about experiences in my life that challenged me and brought me closer to God and my family. The tunes 1986 and 1987 are about the difficult years I came close to death. I had a serious infection in my heart that required major heart surgery both of those years. These trials helped bind our family.

Other songs reflect my celebration for life, marriage, and having children.

Whatever the experience, I hope you feel the peaceful influence of God’s love as you listen to these piano solos.

DISC ONE - Music with the Band

Our Love
Dedicated to my wife Lynnette and based on my tune Grateful from the Songs of Praise album. “Some think of happiness as a glamorous life of ease, luxury, and constant thrills; but true marriage is based on a happiness which comes from giving, serving, sharing, sacrificing, and selflessness.” (Spencer W. Kimball, Past President LDS Church, June 1978 Liahona)

A Peace of My Heart
Take time to celebrate life and who you are.

Early Monday
For the little ones we’ve lost or who never made it.

Wasatch
Living in the Salt Lake valley I always know which direction I am facing because of our majestic Wasatch Mountains. Driving along the Wasatch front gives me great satisfaction and a sense of God’s beauty.

Late Afternoon
Reminds me of leaving work early on a gloomy day. I love going home.
(Written by Ryan Tilby)

Passing Time
Mahatma Gandhi said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

Living for Eden
The Garden of Eden was a place of happiness, an unspoiled place, a time of innocence, and of childhood. Written for my daughter Eden.

Searching
“Ours ought to be an unending search for truth - a search that must include spiritual and religious truth as well as worldly knowledge. And as we grow and progress, let us look for the good, the beautiful, and the positive.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, Former President LDS Church)

Sunday Drive
Where I come from, people drive slower and enjoy the ride on Sundays. No matter where we are going, we love having the windows down while listening to music or talking. This song feels like that.

Hope
“I have wept as I have seen the poverty and the suffering of people. My heart reaches out to them. I do not know what the solution is, except the gospel of Jesus Christ. I think it is the only thing that will help them and bless their lives. If they, even living in poverty and misery, can look to God with hope and faith it will sustain them in their hours of sorrow. . . They need a power greater than any earthly power to lift them and help them.” (Gordon B. Hinckley, Former LDS Church President)

Forgiven
Where can I find peace? In forgiveness. In changing yourself for the better. In kindness and frienship. Surround yourself with family. Reflect on the past and plan for the future. Forgive and repent. Serve and love your spouse and children. Make time for your loved ones. Make their lives happy.

November
A song of celebration and thanksgiving to God. A celebration of family and friends. Also, for my daughter Eden who was born in November.

DISC TWO - Solo Piano Improvisations

Many of these tunes are improvisations based on songs from disc one.

Return to Eden
For my daughter Eden.

1986
This was the year when I became very ill as a young 13-year-old boy. I was in the hospital for a month. They thought they’d lose me. It was a powerful time in my life when I learned to love and appreciate each day as a gift from the Creator.

Searching for Home
Sometimes we lose our way and we need to re-evaluate our priorities.

Evening Falls
There is a peaceful feeling when the evening falls. When the kids our in bed and you have time with your spouse to talk and enjoy each other. I pray you have that same joy.

Monday Morning
We love children and have wanted more. I come from a family of 8 and my wife from 10. I guess it’s a Utah thing. But, we’ve struggled with 5 miscarriages. Our daughter Eden is a gift from God, a miracle.

Along the Wasatch
The most beautiful place on earth is along the Wasatch front. It’s not only the beauty of the mountains or the brilliant flow of green in our Salt Lake valley but for me it’s the memories and admiration for the people.

More Hope
This is my desire to be healthy and live to raise my daughter and enjoy my wife along with everything God has blessed me with. Even though there are many trials above all He has been so generous.

April Skies
Spring. Can I say anything more? My wife and I were married in April. And in my faith it’s a time to hear and reflect from many spiritual leaders in a conference event who move and inspire me.

Remember Our Love
For my wife

Sweet Hour of Prayer
Prayer is sweet. I thank God every day for life and all its challenges. He is proofing us faithful. He is the Father in the stands cheering us on and not the umpire or coach.

Twinkle Little Star
For my daughter

1987
This was the year I have reconstructive heart surgery which has now lead over a 20 year period to being listed on the Heart Transplant list. My faith in God and love of family and life began as I endured the trauma of this event.

Music is a means to an end for me.

2008-09-14T20:24:00.000-07:00

Music is a means to an end for me. It’s a gift that allows me to share emotions that reflect my life’s philosophy. Johann Sebastian Bach said, “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.”

Life is full of surprises. There are ups and downs, happiness and pain. But, through it all there exists in my heart the comforting assurance that faith in a loving God and loyalty to family creates a Garden of Eden, or refuge, in our lives. I’ve learned that long-term happiness does not come from any accolades, money, or advancement in society but by putting our whole heart into love, sacrifice, and service to those in our home, extended family, and community.

My new album, Living for Eden, is a celebration of my 35 years. I love life. I’m reminded every day through my experiences of the gift of life. However, I think of the millions of people suffering in the world. Pain and loss is all around us. Poverty, disease, war, the list goes on. It’s overwhelming and devastating. My heart turns to these people. I believe we should trust in the message of Jesus who more than 2000 years ago taught us how to live and love all people.

We should focus all our priorities in actively building homes with love and aslo extend that love to our communities. And then, maybe, this world once again will become a peaceful place like the Garden of Eden.

- Paul Cardall