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Saturday, April 4, 2015

"D" is for "Donald"

It's Day 4 of the A-Z Challenge and it's Saturday... we're off tomorrow!

 
 
My theme revolves around the soon-to-be published memoir I wrote for opera singer, Donald Braswell.
 
 
"D" is for "Donald."

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A 1990 graduate of Juilliard, Donald Braswell II, 52, is an American actor, classical crossover tenor and composer. Donald was on the fast track to becoming an internationally acclaimed opera singer until a 1995 hit-and-run accident left him unable to speak for almost two years.
 
Performing After Graduating Juilliard in 1990
 
Regaining his speech and singing voice by the new millennium, Donald was away from the spotlight until his appearance on the 2008 season of America’s Got Talent. Eventually, he beat out more than 100,000 contestants, cracked the Top Five in the finals and jumpstarted his second chance at a career in entertainment.
 
Today, Donald performs a variety of musical genres ranging from pure classical, to soul and mainstream pop. He engages people of many cultures by singing in various languages outside of English, including Spanish, Italian, Neapolitan, French and Russian.

 Donald’s repertoire includes Mario Frangoulis’ bilingual version of the Moody Blues classic Nights in White Satin; The Prayer and Andrea Bocelli’s Vivere. Other songs include Aqustin Lara’s Rosa (Spanish), Mario Frangoulis’ Vincerò, perderò (Italian) and the Neapolitan standard O sole mio. To date, he’s released three CDs and recently finalized a fourth studio album.

Married to his high school sweetheart for thirty years, Donald remains a strong man of God and proud father to three girls. He believes his second chance at singing is a gift meant to help others, so he continues to perform many charity performances.

Donald - Today
 
One of Donald's main goals in sharing his story with me is the hope that his journey, “Will inspire people struggling with issues to never, ever give up on their own dreams.”
 
For more information, click HERE for one of my recent blog posts.

MONDAY: "E" is for "Endurance" (Notes on his many trials and tribulations.)


 

16 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

This is fascinating and inspirational. Thank you - and Donald.

Tammy Theriault said...

I love opera!!!

Unknown said...

Saturday 4th April 2015

Dear Carrie,

What an interesting and inspirational post! Way to go Donald!

Thank you so much for visiting my post about fitted sheets. I'm having extra company for the Easter break, so bed-making and sheets are on my mind. Thanks for widening my view.

Best wishes,

Anna

P.S. As first commenter you get an extra link from my post to your blog.

Carrie Butler said...

How cool to put a face with the stories! :D

Jeremy [Retro] said...

Did not know of him, thank you for sharing it, I personally enjoy dark opera...

Welcome in the letter "D"... thank you!
Jeremy [Retro]
AtoZ Challenge Co-Host [2015]

There's no earthly way of knowing.
Which direction we are going!

HOLLYWOOD NUTS!
Come Visit: You know you want to know if me or Hollywood... is Nuts?

Pat Hatt said...

Sure an inspiration indeed, and can never ever give up. Push on through we have to do

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

An amazing man. And singing in so many languages - impressive!

Christine Rains said...

What an incredible and inspiring story. Have a great weekend!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Mark - how very highly talented and thank goodness he had that 2nd chance ... wonderful to be able to sing in various languages .. or in my case sing at all! Cheers Hilary

Jo said...

It is a wonderfully inspirational story and I am so glad he got his voice back. Like Hilary, I can't sing either. Love to listen to opera though.

M Pax said...

A fantastically inspirational story. Untethered Realms / MPax

Lisa said...

So glad you chose Donald as your subject to blog about, and that you decided to jump into the A to Z this year! You, my man, are brave! Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com

Al Diaz said...

Awesome! I am really enjoying learning more about this outstanding man. Thanks, Mark!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

His story is inspiring. And I love that he's one of the few successful entertainers who remains a good person, husband and father besides.

Mary Aalgaard said...

Really amazing story. I would love to hear him singing in person.
Play off the Page

Anonymous said...

Duuuude! Donald's story sounds amazing and so inspiring. Great that this is going to be the theme for your A-Z. I might not be able to wait for the release!

Hope you enjoyed your Easter weekend. Forgive my slight tardiness; you know I tend to be 'fashionably late' sometimes. :/ I'll be BACH! :D

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