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Pair of locals take their talents to Austin
Published July 5, 2009
AUSTIN — On Saturday two local men ventured to Austin to show off their vocal styles.
Burl Smith, president of Seguin Fabricators, and Ken Hicks, Hillcrest Assembly of God music director, serenaded crowds at one of Austin’s July 4 Tea Parties on the Capitol lawn.
Smith said Wednesday prior to the performance that he is pleased to be joining the group as a vocalist.
“I will be singing the national anthem, ‘The Battle Hymn of the Republic,’ and also ‘God Bless America,’” he said. “I am happy to be able to do it.”
For one of the songs he was asked to sing, Smith said he suggested the church’s new music director to share his voice with the party.
“He will be singing ‘God Bless the USA,’” Smith said. “They had asked me to do it and I introduced him to them. He hasn’t been here very long but he is up and coming and doing very well.”
According to the Austin Tea Party Web site, Smith was joined in the spotlight by Peggy Venable, Texas director of Americans for Prosperity, Wayne Allyn Root of the Libertarian Party, and State Rep. Wayne Christian, along with U.S. Representative Louie Gohmert and U.S. Senator John Cornyn.
Smith said the offer came to him by way of a relative, who was initially asked to perform.
“I have a niece that lives in Killeen and the lady that is putting all of this program together asked her to sing the national anthem,” he said. “She said she doesn’t do that. So, she said ‘I know someone who does.’ So, she gave her my name and we talked.”
Smith said this is not the first audience he has sang for.
“In 2000, I was the vocalist for four mornings in a row for opening ceremonies at Elks National Convention in the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, Texas,” he said. “I have done a lot of patriotic and gospel singing at different events. I have done the national anthem at quite a few places rodeos, TLU homecoming games, different organizations wherever there is an opportunity. I have been singing for probably about 40 years altogether.”
Honoring those who have fought or are currently fighting in wars has a special spot in Smith’s heart.
“I like patriotic singing because I am an American that certainly believes in patriotism,” he said. “I honor the freedom that we have and the people who have blazed the trail or have died so we can enjoy our freedom. The feeling that I get when I sing patriotic songs is that I am proud to be there, I am proud to be able to share the songs that I feel from the heart that comes from singing about our country, our nation and our beliefs.”
Smith, who started the business his junior year of high school, said he sings just for fun.
“I sing a lot at church, but my main job is here at Seguin Fabricators — the other is just kind of a hobby,” he said. “I have been here about 51 years and we have a great company, a great group of employees and I am very proud of it. I am proud to be in Seguin.”
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