I'm not American but I've a great admiration for this country and his history (past, present and hopefully future ones) and it's impossible to hear such voices singing this beautiful anthem without a deep emotion, God bless America and His singers.
This is how the National Anthem should ALWAYS be sung: the way it was written and with a bit reverence and patriotic emotion; and without the ridiculous trills and bellowing that pop stars somehow see the need to insert. All Americans should learn this song and learn to sing it well. I grew up in the 1970s and we sang this song on an almost weekly basis and were encouraged to memorize the words as well as the melody line. These girls make our National Anthem shine. Thanks for sharing!
Madeline's vocal range never ceases to amaze me, I absolutely love when she goes high on bombs bursting in air and free, the cactus cuties are always amazing!
Harmonies are hard things to master. In my youth I played brass. Getting those harmonies perfect was a huge challenge. These little girls master harmony above and beyond!
I really like the annotations and also the 'watch in high quality' option. When choosing that option, the video is much clearer for me. Thank you PhanRegSop for a great recording of a great performance! Thanks also to everyone that has posted updates and info about The Cactus Cuties!
Ladies, I just saw your performance in Washington D.C. Girls you continue to make this ole guy proud to be an American. As time goes by you just keep getting better. I think you have done so much to raise awareness of the YOUTH in America. Beyond a doubt you have set the standard, and high I might say, for people singing our National Anthem. May God bless and keep you in all that you attempt.
The high note is done by Madeline, the youngster of the young. She is on the right end as you see them on stage. She has one powerful voice to go along with that range!
The crowd reactions to the harmonies from this first Cactus Cutie official big gig will always stick with me. Reminds me so much of my first Cutie encounter.
This is unquestionably the most incrediable performance of this song I've ever heard. This will surely become the standard that other's must now strive to reach, and these girls have set the bar rather high. Good luck to anyone else trying to pack that much emotion into a 2 minute performance.
This particular performance just blows me away!! The all do, but the crowd is just 'into' the show and adds so much to the enthusiasm the girls put into every word already!! :-)
@animegirlnamedDani The one on the left is Baylee Barrett, she was 13 at this performance, turned 14 later that month. From the left the others were Blaire Elbert 11, Andi Kitten 11, & Madeline Powell 8 (turned 9 later that month also).
You know, it is said that our national anthem is one of the most difficult songs to sing ever written, but you wouldn't know it when you hear these young ladies make it sound like an angel choir. Kudos also to whoever arranged the piece. The combinations of unison and harmonies is awesome, and the suspensions at the end are SO cool. It really breathes new life into an old song. I would agree that it's the best rendition I've ever heard.
I love the title of this video- "LEARN to sing the National Anthem" (emphasis mine) So true- this should be a required instructional video for celebs like Aguilara, Spears, and Beiber... These girls proved that you don't have to use auto tune and various sound tricks to sing decently...
Congratulations ladies on taking D.C. by storm. It was inevitable, once they heard you, you'd win their hearts. Enjoy the times and have a safe trip home!
Terri Caldwell did the arrangment of this version. She is the mother of Cami Caldwell, who is the "mentor" of this incredible group of young ladies. They are in a "mentoring" program at the Caldwell family owned Historic Cactus Theatre in Lubbock TX.....
If this doesn't move an army to defend its country few other things will. These young ladies do the Spar Spangled Banner honor and brings cause for Old Glory to furl with joy,,,,outstanding!
If you ask me the bar now is set VERY HIGH, and probably won't be attained by anyone, anytime soon. But thats a very good thing for all of us who love them !!
The big problem with many so-called 'singers' is that they try to make up for lack of singing ability by "moving around". These girls do not need to do that. Their TALENT is way more than enough.
Hey everyone! The girls posted some really cute photos on their summer tours on their blog, visit their website listed above and click on the "blog" tab.
@animegirlnamedDani Actually she was 13, this performance was a few days before her birthday. She is on the petite side and was very small for her age growing up. She's 17 now!
I'm blown away by not only their voices, but their composure! They look like very grounded individuals -- it takes a lot of courage to do what they do! By the way...what program did you edit this video with?
omg! they are ah-mazing they were even amazing when they were younger, but they got way better...but still i thought they were the best things ever when I saw them at age 5 or 8! they are amazing and idols to everyone who wants to sing i love them !! :]
i watch like every video of theirss, they are sooooo good :] i am kind of a freak for harmony so this really is amazingg for mee. this gives me chills EVERY time i listen to it, and i cried the very first time i heard it...it is soo amazing!!!! and i NEVER get tired of hearing 1:06 :) the "still there" part..omg..so prettyyy :) A+ for them, and it is soo nice to know that they believe in God!
I agree. I still feel the girls should sing the Anthem in DC on Inagural Day this coming January 20th. I don't know who needs to contacted to make this happen, but I'd do it myself if I knew.
C'mon don't be so critical...these girls are special...just relax and enjoy this great performance. The "lead" is Andi and she does a great job here...she's 11 years old!
Don't forget the girls will be on the 700 club, Friday the 4th. It was taped while they were in D.C. Showing on ABC Family & Trinity(TBN) check your listings, I have my DVR set, enjoy !!
You are referring to their posture. It would've been great if all of them had the same posture, with the extended arm and straightened wrist. The purpose is to give more solemnity to their performance, since they're singing the National Anthem. And their voices... they're angels!
Great performance. Best I've ever seen or heard. My only question is why did the person who posted it with the text boxes put a question mark after "home of the brave". That SHOULD be an exclamation mark!
actually, the one you speak of was taken just a few months prior to the one above. They looked so young because of the bows in their hair, but certainly they are growing up fast!
Check out the Original performance of the Star Spangled Banner... the crowd is literally stunned in silence, not believing what is coming out of a group of tiny little girls... until it is finished and they erupt in applause.
The Cactus Cuties will be performing the National Anthem Friday morning at 8:00AM at the Capitol Reflecting Pool. The other performances will take place from 10:00-4:00 at both the Jefferson Memorial and the Sylvan Theater. Radio and Television are hesitant to commit to any event as other major issues may arise. Several have expressed interest but there's really no way of knowing right now which stations will be there or not.
Amen to dat!! If you can watch the girls doing the Wolfgang Puck stuff and not bust out laughing you are likely not among the living!! funnnnieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee stuff
@TruthDroveCove Because some of the sentences in the verse are questions, asking, "can you see.....?" "does the flag still wave?" Look up the lyrics online and you'll see they end with question marks.
i learned the histiory about that song. rthis guy was in the waqr and fell asleep in a little place and has a perfect view of the flag when we woke up the next morning it was still standing
@TruthDroveCove Because it is a question-does the banner still wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? The 1st line-can you see (in the early dawn light) the banner? Remeber this was a poem that was later set to music.
I beg to differ with you a little, they are not pretty good, they are fantastic! They have no problem working together because they have been best friends for years and grown up together. They love each other, really enjoy being together, and have soooo much fun together. They truly are like sisters by the best possible meaning of that word. The way they interact and care for each other is one of the reasons we all love them so much. Yes, Cami their mentor and voice instructor IS amazing.
I'm not American but I've a great admiration for this country and his history (past, present and hopefully future ones) and it's impossible to hear such voices singing this beautiful anthem without a deep emotion, God bless America and His singers.
The bombs bursting, IN AIR!! madeline can really get those high notes wow!!
This is how the National Anthem should ALWAYS be sung: the way it was written and with a bit reverence and patriotic emotion; and without the ridiculous trills and bellowing that pop stars somehow see the need to insert. All Americans should learn this song and learn to sing it well. I grew up in the 1970s and we sang this song on an almost weekly basis and were encouraged to memorize the words as well as the melody line. These girls make our National Anthem shine. Thanks for sharing!
The quality, range and blend of their harmony in singing out great National Anthem brings tears to my eyes!
Madeline's vocal range never ceases to amaze me, I absolutely love when she goes high on bombs bursting in air and free, the cactus cuties are always amazing!
How can you not be moved by this. Absolutely amazing! God Bless America!
The Cactus Cuties always belt out this song with perfection. brings tears to my eyes!
The harmony of these girls is amazing!
This one stills gives me goose bumps!!
Harmonies are hard things to master. In my youth I played brass. Getting those harmonies perfect was a huge challenge. These little girls master harmony above and beyond!
I really like the annotations and also the 'watch in high quality' option. When choosing that option, the video is much clearer for me. Thank you PhanRegSop for a great recording of a great performance! Thanks also to everyone that has posted updates and info about The Cactus Cuties!
No, she was right, Madeline goes high on "bombs bursting.." Blaire is doing the mid-voice turn.
Ladies, I just saw your performance in Washington D.C. Girls you continue to make this ole guy proud to be an American. As time goes by you just keep getting better. I think you have done so much to raise awareness of the YOUTH in America. Beyond a doubt you have set the standard, and high I might say, for people singing our National Anthem. May God bless and keep you in all that you attempt.
I think I could watch this video ten times a day and still get the chills every single time.
The high note is done by Madeline, the youngster of the young. She is on the right end as you see them on stage. She has one powerful voice to go along with that range!
that harmony was outstanding
this is one of the best performances of the national anthem i have ever heard. period. These girls should be invited to a national event!!
i cant believe how amazing hey all are, and for madeline to be able to hit that high note at 9 is just WOW! x
The crowd reactions to the harmonies from this first Cactus Cutie official big gig will always stick with me. Reminds me so much of my first Cutie encounter.
these girls sing the national anthem the way it is supposed too. And truly lets you feel the way you should when you hear it.
Notice how the girl on the far left lights up every time the crowd cheers. A true star.
This is unquestionably the most incrediable performance of this song I've ever heard. This will surely become the standard that other's must now strive to reach, and these girls have set the bar rather high. Good luck to anyone else trying to pack that much emotion into a 2 minute performance.
This particular performance just blows me away!! The all do, but the crowd is just 'into' the show and adds so much to the enthusiasm the girls put into every word already!! :-)
You girls are excellent. Best anthem i have ever heard. Four voices absolutely matching!
I'm in awe.... I sing and I'm in choir and these girls are singing with amazing control for their ages... keep it up girls!!!
These girls did such a great job!!! Since I watched this, I wanna become an American :-)
I love our national anthem...especially when it's done by these young ladies!
@mackenmiley9 You're thinking of Madeline. She sings all high register. Blaire goes high when she does solos and such.
@animegirlnamedDani The one on the left is Baylee Barrett, she was 13 at this performance, turned 14 later that month. From the left the others were Blaire Elbert 11, Andi Kitten 11, & Madeline Powell 8 (turned 9 later that month also).
Beautiful. Well done young ladies.
Too cute. Great Sound!
MINDBLOWN!
They own the crowd it seems!! Definitely one super powerful powerful performance!
You know, it is said that our national anthem is one of the most difficult songs to sing ever written, but you wouldn't know it when you hear these young ladies make it sound like an angel choir.
Kudos also to whoever arranged the piece. The combinations of unison and harmonies is awesome, and the suspensions at the end are SO cool. It really breathes new life into an old song.
I would agree that it's the best rendition I've ever heard.
@stanccox Madeline sings the high note in "O'er the land of the FREE". At the brave note I believe its Blaire, but im not sure at all !
as you noticed madeline throws the greatest impact on the audience when she started the " the bombs bursting in air . . ." line
I love the title of this video- "LEARN to sing the National Anthem" (emphasis mine)
So true- this should be a required instructional video for celebs like Aguilara, Spears, and Beiber... These girls proved that you don't have to use auto tune and various sound tricks to sing decently...
*ATTENTION*
The Cactus Cuties are going to be briefly featured on the OPRAH SHOW tomorrow (May 11th)!!!!!!!!!
Tune in and support them!!!!!!
my school's chorus sang the national anthem @ a hokey game and my grandma said we r the only ones who can sing it right.now i know that 2 groupes can.
My favorite Cuties rendition! They always blow the Anthem out but this one version is just a liitle more than the others! :-) Love it!!
amazing!!!!!! great harmony girls! God bless you! keep up the awesome work!:)
Congratulations ladies on taking D.C. by storm. It was inevitable, once they heard you, you'd win their hearts. Enjoy the times and have a safe trip home!
Baylee sings the low harmony, Blaire does the "extra thing" on the "brave", Madeline goes up to the high note on "free" and Andi is the lead.
Terri Caldwell did the arrangment of this version. She is the mother of Cami Caldwell, who is the "mentor" of this incredible group of young ladies. They are in a "mentoring" program at the Caldwell family owned Historic Cactus Theatre in Lubbock TX.....
Thanks bullhead! They just keep getting better and better!! :)
Oh my god..tehy made me cry!
The U.S. National Anthem is beautiful!
They just get better and better!
They are simply amazing!
I can't stop listening to their version, i really can't
If this doesn't move an army to defend its country few other things will. These young ladies do the Spar Spangled Banner honor and brings cause for Old Glory to furl with joy,,,,outstanding!
For first time the star spangled banner has been sang by angels. Amazing.
If you ask me the bar now is set VERY HIGH, and probably won't be attained by anyone, anytime soon. But thats a very good thing for all of us who love them !!
The girls exude confidence in this performance, it seems like they knew they held the standard, and were just proving the point!
Just watched the girls on the 700 Club, it was VERY NICE !! They are amazing young ladies. A safe and happy 4th to everyone.
The big problem with many so-called 'singers' is that they try to make up for lack of singing ability by "moving around". These girls do not need to do that. Their TALENT is way more than enough.
really nice performance...young girls with such nice voices...cute!!
Hey everyone! The girls posted some really cute photos on their summer tours on their blog, visit their website listed above and click on the "blog" tab.
These girls are awesome to watch!!
@animegirlnamedDani Actually she was 13, this performance was a few days before her birthday. She is on the petite side and was very small for her age growing up. She's 17 now!
Yes, check out the channel Bullhead003 or CactusCutiesBacktge, there are tons of videos to choose from.
I'm blown away by not only their voices, but their composure!
They look like very grounded individuals -- it takes a lot of courage to do what they do!
By the way...what program did you edit this video with?
That just made me cry. Amazing.
I CAN'T WAIT to see them sing THE NATIONAL ANTHEM at the JERRY LEWIS' TELETHON!!!!! Sunday, August 31st right? I am going to DVR it!!!
omg! they are ah-mazing they were even amazing when they were younger, but they got way better...but still i thought they were the best things ever when I saw them at age 5 or 8! they are amazing and idols to everyone who wants to sing i love them !! :]
i watch like every video of theirss, they are sooooo good :] i am kind of a freak for harmony so this really is amazingg for mee. this gives me chills EVERY time i listen to it, and i cried the very first time i heard it...it is soo amazing!!!! and i NEVER get tired of hearing 1:06 :) the "still there" part..omg..so prettyyy :) A+ for them, and it is soo nice to know that they believe in God!
my grandma allways said that my shcools chorus were the only people who could actually sing it.she clearly hasnt seen this.
I agree. I still feel the girls should sing the Anthem in DC on Inagural Day this coming January 20th. I don't know who needs to contacted to make this happen, but I'd do it myself if I knew.
C'mon don't be so critical...these girls are special...just relax and enjoy this great performance. The "lead" is Andi and she does a great job here...she's 11 years old!
beautiful
Don't forget the girls will be on the 700 club, Friday the 4th. It was taped while they were in D.C. Showing on ABC Family & Trinity(TBN) check your listings, I have my DVR set, enjoy !!
1:39 - lovin the man in the background :)
This is a gift from God.
Wow. Absolutely beautiful.
"Comments must be approved before posting to ensure family and school viewing preferences. RATED PG."
Boy, do I wish more videos on RUclips did this.
You are referring to their posture. It would've been great if all of them had the same posture, with the extended arm and straightened wrist.
The purpose is to give more solemnity to their performance, since they're singing the National Anthem.
And their voices... they're angels!
Great performance. Best I've ever seen or heard. My only question is why did the person who posted it with the text boxes put a question mark after "home of the brave". That SHOULD be an exclamation mark!
actually, the one you speak of was taken just a few months prior to the one above. They looked so young because of the bows in their hair, but certainly they are growing up fast!
i love you guys! You are amazing!
Pretty sure that came from the impact of the previous line and carried over, but she does rock on that part!
Perfect.
Check out the Original performance of the Star Spangled Banner... the crowd is literally stunned in silence, not believing what is coming out of a group of tiny little girls... until it is finished and they erupt in applause.
I think the high note is Blaire
AMAZING.
you guys are so good keep it upppp
The Cactus Cuties will be performing the National Anthem Friday morning
at 8:00AM at the Capitol Reflecting Pool. The other performances will
take place from 10:00-4:00 at both the Jefferson Memorial and the Sylvan
Theater.
Radio and Television are hesitant to commit to any event as other major
issues may arise. Several have expressed interest but there's really no
way of knowing right now which stations will be there or not.
they are so good!!! i love them
Why is the fourteen year old the same size as the elevan year old??
Amen to dat!! If you can watch the girls doing the Wolfgang Puck stuff and not bust out laughing you are likely not among the living!! funnnnieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee stuff
Great performance!
Bill
@TruthDroveCove Because some of the sentences in the verse are questions, asking, "can you see.....?" "does the flag still wave?" Look up the lyrics online and you'll see they end with question marks.
amazing harmony.
Thank you very much! That'll definitely help.
If you go to Lubbockonline and search 4th on Broadway, you can see a few more pics of the girls that weren't on their blog on their website, ENJOY !!
i learned the histiory about that song. rthis guy was in the waqr and fell asleep in a little place and has a perfect view of the flag when we woke up the next morning it was still standing
Too cute. Great Sound!
@TruthDroveCove Because it is a question-does the banner still wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? The 1st line-can you see (in the early dawn light) the banner? Remeber this was a poem that was later set to music.
They have been working together as a group for 5 (soon to be 6) years.
Another great song girls!
I beg to differ with you a little, they are not pretty good, they are fantastic! They have no problem working together because they have been best friends for years and grown up together. They love each other, really enjoy being together, and have soooo much fun together. They truly are like sisters by the best possible meaning of that word. The way they interact and care for each other is one of the reasons we all love them so much. Yes, Cami their mentor and voice instructor IS amazing.
Because the question is, "Oh say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave?"
Outstanding!
absolutely incredible
i have goosebumps