REVIEWS

This special feature of The Country Parson is where we look at an artist's life. For December 2000, Candice Myers is our special guest On the Porch.

How many people do you know that are classically trained as a clarinetist, hold a Bachelor's degree in History with minors in English and Music and have competed in the Miss America pageant? Well, there is only one that I know! It's Candice Myers! But Candice is more than just an intelligent and pretty face.

Will the real Candice Myers please stand up? How could she be described? First, she has a love for Jesus. Period. Her personality is gentle, kind and very gracious. She makes people feel that they are valued and important. Her disposition shows Christ in her! She talks about the love that Jesus has for people at every rodeo and concert.

Next observation about this young lady from Dodge City, Kansas is her multi-talents. [picture left: candice3.jpg] Listen to all of these talents (and I am bragging on her!), musician, song writer, author of two children's books, makes a mean meatloaf, singing professionally since age twelve, and happily married with two kids. WOW! Truthfully, there isn't enough room on this page to share with you all of her talents.

Candice was born into a rodeo and ranching family in Kansas. Her dad traveled the rodeo circuit. By the age of three, Candice's parents were divorcing. Her mom moved Candice and her brother to Dodge City. Two years later, her mother met a wonderful man and then later remarried. With his, her and their children, they became a family.

Over the next several years, her biological father would come in and out of her life. During the summers, she would go out on the rodeo circuit with her dad. It was here that Candice was exposed to more things than a kid should ever see. Some of the experiences were painful and difficult to overcome, but she did with the help and support from those closest to her, including God. She can now tell others openly about the struggles and give The Answer to life, which is Jesus.

She went to college on a music scholarship and used these talents including her strong vocal ability - which we know about on The Country Parson - to enter and win the title of Miss Kansas in 1988. This enabled her to compete in the 1989 Miss America pageant. Her desire for a career in the entertainment field grew. The Lord had a twist to that plan and Candice began to pursue music as a ministry.

In February 1999, Candice released her first album called Beyond the Temporary. Three songs were released to radio from this great project. The Baptism of Jesse Taylor, Daddy was A Texas Ranger, and In the Eyes of A Carpenter made it into the top 10 of the Christian Country Research Bulletin. Look for her new project - Straight & Narrow - to continue to place Candice at the top of the charts.

To sum up who Candice Myers is, listen to this story that she talks about from one of her concerts. "ŠI did a concert and noticed a little guy, about ten or eleven years old, dancing and clapping and drawing lots of attention to himself, so I brought him up on stage with me for a while. He was a great sport and the audience really enjoyed him. During the altar call, he came forward and accepted Jesus with his family. Afterward, he came up and hugged me so tightly and said, 'Thank you for introducing me to Jesus.' If I never sing another note, I will be grateful for that opportunity when the Lord was able to use me as His servant and a child was able to find Him through what I do."

Candice lives in East Texas with her husband, Rope, and their two sons, Layton and Holden. Rope is one of the top professional steer wrestlers on the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association) circuit. The couple has combined the opportunity of Rope's travel schedule and Candice's musical talent to become very involved with numerous Christian Cowboy organizations. A unique fact about Rope and Candice is that they not only celebrate the same wedding day, they also were born on the exact same day of November 17th.

Candice Myers is a pretty and talented, woman, wife and mom. Her beauty goes much deeper than the skin though. On the inside of Candice Myers, the Rose of Sharon (Jesus) is in full bloom.

The Country Parson Network © 2000