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Our new video: "One More Day"
The 3 individuals that we sing about in our video are 3 that have affected our lives in a profound way, and also, we are close friends with their families. We first showed it at our concert this past February 6th, 2010, in Gilbert, AZ. Azure Starkes, Charlee Hawkins, and Skylar Stock are three individuals who were taken from us too early, but are three souls that have profoundly touched so many for good.
Azure is Keith and Donna Bigler's daughter and is married to Brian Starkes. Our family came upon her accident 2 years ago (between Heber and Taylor) about 30 seconds after it happened. Mitchell Borden, our son-in-law, was able to climb under the upside down car and get Azure's 1 year old baby out of the back seat. Miraculously, there was not a scratch on him. Sadly though, Azure would not make it. I performed CPR on her, but to no avail. With all of the chaos that surrounds a terrible accident like that, there was an "overarching" feeling, and spirit that I will never forget. Even in her passing, Azure had a profound effect on us.
Charlee is the daughter of Kent and Char Hawkins…good friends to Jon and Richard, and all of us. Charlee contacted cancer in her little finger. Doctors removed the finger, and that is where she got the nickname: "Nine," but sadly the cancer spread. Charlee wanted very much to graduate from high school, and even though she was in pain she worked so hard to make it happen. Finally, as the cancer progressed, the school board had to go to her house to be able to award her diploma. She died 45 minutes later. Charlee was a light and a beacon to everyone she knew.
Skylar Stock is the son of Dennis and Cheryl Stock, good friends of our family and the Talbots…for many years…clear back to the Encinas ward days. Skylar is the husband of Kari Stock. Skylar was on an elk hunting trip with a good friend, when a storm came up and caused a tree to fall on him, in a freak accident. Skylar was a fire fighter, and a good one. His accident was quite a story in the Arizona news and his service was attended by well over a thousand people. Skylar was honored and loved by all. He was a dedicated and loving husband and father. Debbie and I will always remember Skylar as a little boy running around with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
We love all of these individuals and their families. We hope this video will portray that. We hope you enjoy it! And we love you too!!! Life is too short. We don't say that enough or too many times. Feel free to pass this link on to anyone who you feel might appreciate it.
Joe Tenney
Golden Bee Productions, LLC
Three 2U
New video link! Check out our YouTube video "One More Day" by Three2U!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCd8p9WlVIU
The below comments are from an interview that I (Joe Tenney) had with the East Valley Republic newpaper
3. Where did the idea to use pictures of Skylar come from?
Two years ago our trio performed in a benefit concert for a young lady that died of cancer. Her name was Charlee Hawkins—a sweet girl nick-named "Nine"—due to losing a finger from the cancer that eventually took her life. The school administration came to her home to award her the high school diploma that she wanted to earn despite her cancer and pain. She passed away 45 minutes after they awarded her diploma. Charlee was a person who made a great impact on many people.
About a year and a half ago, I came across a terrible accident (a roll over) of a young woman, who I discovered, at the scene, was the daughter of one of my best friends, a buddy that I have known since 6th grade. Her name was Azure Starkes. I performed CPR on her, but to no avail. However, my son-in-law was able to rescue her little one year old boy, still strapped upside down in the smashed car. It was a heart breaking experience for Azure, but a miracle for little Eric who was saved. It has been an experience that has bonded our family, as close as any could be, to our dear friends Keith and Donna Bigler (her parents), and Azure's husband, Brian Starkes.
Then this December, the fluke accident happened that took Skylar Stock's life. Our family had known him since he was a little boy. We all belonged to the same church as their family and have been good friends with Dennis and Cheryl Stock for over 20 years.
4. Is there a specific song that you guys will be singing when the pictures of Skylar are shown?
The song we are singing is a remake of the "Diamond Rio" song: "One More Day." The DVD was shot by Cameron Trejo of East Valley Productions, and Cameron Trejo Films.
5. Did you know Skylar personally? If so, what was he like?
Skylar was the consummate optimist; an individual who was a hard worker and excelled with honors in his profession. He was a dedicated and loving father, and a friend to all he knew. So many comments from co-workers and friends are all the same…that he was a terrific person, always positive and always encouraged and helped all around him. He excelled in everything he did. It is tragic that he has left a beautiful wife and three little children. But his memory, and the effect of his life on so many people, even many that have never met him, will remain. Our biggest and best memories of him are as a little boy that was full of life and always smiling!
6. What inspired you/your group to focus some attention on Skylar?
When these types of experiences happen, sometimes there is nothing you can do, but just to let people know that you love them and are there to help and support them any way you can. When Skylar's accident happened, for me it was a kind of "final straw." We knew that we HAD to do this video. It is only a simple thing, but hopefully we can let people know in some small way, how our lives have been affected by these great people, and their families that we love dearly. And to try and honor them for their wonderful lives, examples, and to repay them in some small way for the friendship they have given us.
7. What, if any, message would you like to portray to the audience at this concert? I know the name of the concert gives people some idea, but I just want to get more of an answer :)
Life is all about friends, family and helping our fellow man. If our society will learn that as a whole, think of the kind of place it could be for all of us! All of us will experience trials and struggles in our lives, and how sad and terrible if we have to "go it alone." But how sweet and good, even beyond words, when we have friends….those who truly love us….to help us along the way. To quote a line from one of our songs: "I'll take your part…oh when times get rough. And friends just can't be found…like a bridge over troubled water…I will lay me down." ("Bridge Over Troubled Water", Paul Simon music.)
8. What is your favorite thing about doing concerts like this (with an inspirational message)?
Without any doubt, my favorite thing is the "feeling" I get from the audience! Many of these people are friends, fans, and supporters over the years. If you were to take a "sample" of any of them you would find people with varying trials, struggles, challenges, and opposition in their lives. But you will find these same people with talents and a qualities and good things that they are doing for society as well. The best feeling is to have everyone leaving feeling that they have benefited by being there. To have them motivated to do good in this world, and to feel their personalities and hearts lifted in a positive and lasting way!
9. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Yes! Life is precious! It is fragile and can be taken from us in a minute. We need to live to help others and to get out of ourselves. To make a difference for good…we need to "be the difference!" We should never hesitate to tell someone hat we love how much they mean to us.
Evening of Inspiration
It was truly a "wonderful evening of inspiration" as promised. I thoroughly enjoyed it myself. We were most happy with the size of the crowd! We were just a few tickets shy of a sell out. THANK YOU EVERYONE! What a blessing it was for us to have such amazing support from all of you. It added to the energy of the evening. The show turned out great & ran smoothly. Thank you to Dave Tenney, as well for being the emcee, and thank you to everyone involved with advertising, video, sound, lighting, orchestration, curtains (that was my Hubby), performing, set up, break down, and any contribution I may have failed to mention, large or small, that made the show come together. It was FABULOUS! Here's a picture below after the concert ended and crowd dispersed. In order from left to right): Jon, Richard, Freddie, Debbie, Michele, and Joe. They look great, don't they?
Until next time...Good-night!
Debra Jo
Less than 2 weeks!
We're so excited to be having a concert on Feb. 6th. It's going to be awesome. Michele Baer started the snow-ball, and we're all on the bandwagon now. It'll be great to have Three2U perform with Debbie West Coon, Michele Baer and Freddie Ashby. The concert is entitled, "A Wonderful Evening of Inspiration - The Stories Behind the Music". It's coming fast! Don't forget to purchase tickets in advance - don't miss out on our pre-sale/discounted tickets!
The Albums are Here!
Thank you so much to all of you who pre-ordered Deep Peace! It is here & we have shipped off the signed copies of the album to all of you early birds. Above you'll see Joe, Richard, and Jon busy at work -really busy with the Sonic drink on the table as you see--more like a party if you ask me, but then again that's how all of their "singing" escapades go.
Richard mentioned to me that he noticed there were no blog updates as of late. I didn't mean to fall off the face of the Earth. I have been a little pre-occupied, as I gave birth to my second son within the past month. Mitchell and I named him Emmett Joseph, and our family is lucky to have such a sweet newborn in our presence. He's truly a gift from Heaven.
Pre-release special!!!!!
Announcing our PRE-RELEASE SPECIAL: Purchase a Three2U album today and receive free shipping and handling. This offer is good until October 20, 2009. "Deep Peace" albums to be arriving mid-late October.
It is difficult to put into words something that has had such a deep impact and profound meaning in my life. (Music and the privilege of singing with 2 of the best friends a man could ever ask for)
We think that we control our own destiny, but if we stop and pay attention...and most importantly, if we will allow it...we will see that it is God that knows what is best for each and everyone of us. His way is so much better than ours. His timeframe is so much better than our own.
If it had been left up to us, this album would have been released several years ago. But had that happened, we would have missed some of the best opportunities to learn and grow; we would have missed some of the best music that has touched our lives; and we would have missed the experiences...many painful, but most filled with wonder and joy...that have shaped and molded what this music has become today.
If life's experiences can affect our music, then we have had a litle more "life" to make this album what it is. We also find it interesting that this album release comes at a difficult time economically, politically, and socially, but we feel there is a reason for this. If we can make a difference for good...even for one person...then all the time and effort has been worth it. This is our desire.
We cannot express enough how much we appreciate the family and friends that have supported us through the years. Life is a wonderful journey, but how empty it would be if we didn't have all of you. Thank you for your kindness and support. It is with great anticipation that we release this album "Deep Peace." We hope it will be some small return of our appreciation for the many kindnesses that each of you have given to us. We hope this music will impact you for good, as it has us. Thank you for your love and support.
Sincerely, Joe Tenney "Three2U"
Welcome to the Three2U Website!!!
We are so excited to have started the Three2U website! The trio has had a great run together over the years working on their second album. We hope you enjoy the music as much as we have, and hope it is uplifting to you on the easy and difficult days of your lives. Follow our website and blog as we announce new events. Keep your eyes posted for information with the new release of "Deep Peace."
Joe Tenney (trio member) &
Debra Jo Borden (Joe's daughter) are authors of this blog.