Evie had the opportunity to sit down with Jason Wright and the Wright Where You Are Podcast. Jason is a New York Times Best Selling Author and has a book that is on of her favorites called Christmas Jars. She was a little star struck when Jason contacted her after her family had just watched Christmas Jars movie, created from his book. He and Evie connected so well on so many levels.
He writes,
Evie Clair isn’t just an America’s Got Talent Finalist, a singer, a viral YouTube sensation, and a popular speaker, she’s also one of the most articulate and spiritually grounded teenagers you’ll ever meet.
In this week’s episode, you’ll meet the girl who wowed the world in Season 12 by singing for her dying father and shared her faith, love, and light with millions of fans.
She’ll dish about AGT, the judges, the lifelong friendships she made on the show, her faith, and dealing with the death of her father. It’s a discussion you won’t want to miss!
Wright Where You Are
Episode 6 — Evie Clair — The AGT Finalist Who Sang for Her Dad and Inspired the World
Simon Cowell describes Evie Clair’s voice as stunning and beautiful. She captured the hearts of America as a finalist on America’s Got Talent and she shares her version of the classic “Auld Lang Syne” with the world this new year to remember her father and all those we have lost.
The song Auld Lang Syne translates to mean for old time’s sake and has been adopted in English speaking countries after becoming part of the Scottish New Year’s Celebration. The words are attributed to Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788 but may have existed in some form before that dating back to 1638. The melody is believed to be attributed to the English composer William Sheild in 1782.
Auld Lang Syne warmed our hearts in the closing scene of the classic Christmas film It’s a Wonderful Life and Guy Lombardo’s band helped make it a New Year’s Eve tradition as they played it each December 31st on the radio and later television programs for over 30 years.
Though it may have originally been a Scottish drinking song, Evie performs it not to promote alcohol consumption but to urge us all to look back and enjoy memories with those we love. She has a special gratitude for her father and the fun they had together and the memories she will always have. She believes old acquaintance’ shouldn’t be forgot’ and hopes we’ll all take time this holiday season to remember them.
Auld Lang Syne performed by Evie Clair was her first platinum single.
Evie Clair’s epic adventures on America’s Got Talent Season 12 have come to an end. She made amazing friends, inspired many, held to what she believes, said goodbye to her daddy and made some difficult decisions. One was to continue when her heart was broken.
For the finals she sang her dad’s song “What a Wonderful World.” Her dad wasn’t a singer but he did sing this song on demand and belted it in a Lois Armstrong growel for laughs.
No one was laughing during her performance. Everything was silent, almost reverent in the center of a raucous Hollywood Blvd. She sang an understated version holding back tears with everything in her.
Simon and AGT producers and staffers checked on her throughout the night to make sure they weren’t putting too much pressure on her. She never felt pressure but made the decision herself to get back on a plane to LA the very day after her father’s funeral. She knew he would want her to be there to continue. This time he would be there in spirit with new abilities to strengthen her.
The live results finale was the day after the finals and Evie was feeling more confident.
AMERICA’S GOT TALENT — “Live Finale Results” Episode 1224 — Pictured: (l-r) Evie Clair, James Arthur — (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)
On the results show Evie was so happy to be able to sing her original song “Okay Day.” She hasn’t been able to release it yet but was stunned when producers said they wanted her to sing it with James Arthur who is currently on the Billboard Hot 100 for his song “Say You Won’t Let Go.”
Evie sang a verse and chorus of the upbeat song with perfect confidence then introduced James Arthur who came in on the bridge.
The bridge of this song is so special to Evie because it came to her in a dream a few months ago. She said she was standing in a circle of fire and rain came down and put it out. In the dream she heard herself singing…
“When the clouds start to form
And the rain starts to fall;
Everyone knows after rain
Comes a rainbow after all.”
She woke up and gathered her sister Kirra and brother Porter to help her finish writing the song.
The AGT producers heard the song on a home video and loved it so they sent it in for approval for the final show.
Evie didn’t win America’s Got Talent but is so happy for her good friend, Darci, who did. Just being in the top 10 of the greatest talent show on earth is more than she could have ever dreamed and she plans to keep moving forward.
Evie Clair poured her heart out Tuesday night with the song “Yours” by Ella Henderson for the semi-finals of America’s Got Talent. Her heart was particularly heavy as her dad was placed on life support earlier that day. She sang the tender lyrics “If I’ve been feeling heavy, you take me from the dark. Your arms they keep me steady so nothing can fall apart… I know everyday I say it, but I just want you to be sure that I am yours.” She gathered the strength to give another touching performance while keeping her emotions in check and even Simon struggled to hold back tears.
Evie was scheduled to fly home Thursday evening, but America’s Got Talent producers and staffers arranged for her to fly home directly after the live results show on Wednesday night making it possible for her to be with her father for his remaining days. He was surrounded by his wife and five children when he was taken off life support and passed away at 3:30pm on Thursday, September 7th.
The video America’s Got Talent produced that was played just before her live performance on September 5th was a tribute to her father and the love and happiness in her family. Evie wants the world to know of her unfailing love for her father and the joy in her family. She believes this video captures those memories perfectly. The background music for the video is an original song called “OK Day” that Evie wrote with her siblings Kirra and Porter earlier this year that is yet to be released.
Evie is moving on to the Finals after the judges raved and America voted her into the top 5. Her father can now be free to join her in following her dreams while only in spirit as he escapes his cancer ridden body. She is heartbroken but ready to continue singing for him.
