Noel McLeary.
Posted on 01/26/2007 10:07:44 AM PST by Sensei Ern
Last night, Recon Comedy (related to ComedyOpenMike.com) sponsored another show at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. This time, we had three comedians and Christian singer Noel McLeary. This show was for the injured soldiers recovering at Walter Reed, and their families.
As was true in October, it was a blessing for everyone.
I opened, and emceed, again. Singer, Noel McCleary then gave an incredible performance, giving us two of the songs from her CD, "Noel McLeary EP". The crowd fell in love with her.
She has definite talent and if she can find a sound system that can do her voice justice, she will be a top star in the music industry. She has been nominated for awrds, and has appeared at several support the troops rallies, including the "Boot Murtha" rally. She travelled at her own expense from Pittsburgh, PA with her mother and a friend.
We cut our show to three comedians as we learned from teh first show that more than that was just too long for all involved, especially the troops, who often cannot sit for more than an hour and a half. I think three is the right number. Another change is that instead of having a comedian after the singer's second set, we finished with the singer...kind of like bookends on the show, and it went perfectly.
The second comedian, Mikey McClain, is a CHristian comedian from Michigan, who paid for the trip for him and his son, who was also in the act, and for his wife, out of his own pocket, including staying at one of DC's cheapest hotels...almost $100 per night!
Mikey brought the laughs, including his explanation that buying defective books was not always a good idea. "Porpoise Driven Life" doesn't have the same appeal as the original. His show went into high gear when he brought his son, 9 year old Mikey Jr., to play the guitar while Mikey Sr. sang parodies. His son sounds just like James Taylor on the guitar.
Dennis Tooley, another Christian comedian from Indiana, and is also the Indianapolis Colts pastor (yes, they have a football team pastor...how do you think they made it to the playoffs?) finished the night of comedy with an awesome set. He really was able to relate with the soldiers as he told of his own battle with Multiple Schlerosis (I hope I spelled that right). He also travelled from Indiana at his own expense, taking a flight from Indiana to Reagan National, just for this show.
Noel finished the show with three more songs to wrap the whole thing up. They all three got to share their personal faith in Christ, and shared their appreciation for what our soldiers do.
After the show, we got opportunities to speak with the soldiers and their families. These people were emotionally touched to know that these performers care so much for them to do this kind of volunteer work.
I am hesitant to share this, but I will. Someone generously gave an anonimous donation that did very well to cover much of the costs for the performers. The performers had no idea of the contribution until night of the show, so they were giving of themselves without expectation of anything in return.
Her singing and her graciousness and genuine humilty would be worth a seven hour trip to go see her. For her to make the trip here...she is definitely a diamond in the singing profession.
No, these soldiers are doing great things. I wish I could think of more to do.
I'll drink to that!
You're a great American!
Hey Sensei... Thank you so much for the work you do. I wish I lived in that area, I'd be serving refreshments or running the sound system. Sigh.
Hoping someone will have pix from event but I believe this is Noel when she performed at the Boot Murtha event. She surely is a tiny & energetic gal!
Thank you to the anonymous donor for the expenses paid for the performers & if performers are FReepers/lurking, thank you for sharing your talents with our heroes & their families
Great photo. Funny thing is, for some of the troops, it's not the first time hearing her sing. Five of her CDs were distributed at Christmas as presents.
You're a good man, you know that?
Here is a song we all should here now and then!
http://www.west-point.org/greimanj/west_point/songs/almamater.htm
Hmmm, sure you didn't mean to write "I'd pay NOT to see that"?
Haven't these guys endured enough?! (just kidding)
Yep, that is her. ANd though she is small, she has vocal powers that a drill sergent would envy. Plus, she knew how to deal with my antiquated sound system.
I( have photos, but I am having PC trouble right now. I think it is a permissions issue, and may be fixed this week.
She also gave CDs at the show. Plus, I bought one. Her EP has only five songs, leaves you wanting more, and each song is great, where regular CDs you get one good song and fifteen throwaways.
I am blessed, I am still not sure about the good part.
Dolly, Noel emailed me asking whether it was OK to use that photo. My PC is on the blink so I cannot respond to her email, so, in case Noel is checking, can she use the photo? Do you have others?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.