Evie Clair (Thomas) breaks down the heartfelt lyrics of her upcoming song about her dad in a new YouTube video. She will be premiering the new original song “I know You’re There” in one week – the day she calls her dad’s angelversary. He passed away on September 7th, 2017. The song will be released on streaming services later in the month.
Evie opens her heart and shares it as she goes through each line of this new song and explains her thoughts behind it, knowing her dad is still watching over her. She breaks down in tears when she reveals the lyric about her dad’s grandkids, “and when they cry, when they’re down, when there’s nobody to listen, I know you’re there.” She spoke of how her dad was always such a good listener and that she knows he’s still there listening and will be there for her children. She recognizes that she won’t be able to see him hold his grandkids but wonders if Billye has already had some time with him recently. Her inspiration to write this song for her dad started when she was having an unspoken conversation about him with her baby.
The melody of “I Know You’re There” remains a mystery for one more week. Watch for the release on Evie Clair’s YouTube channel the morning of September 7, 2023. #teamamos
Evie Clair arrived in Anderson, South Carolina to a snow storm that is unusual for the South this time of year. Anderson rarely gets snow even in January let alone as early as December. They assumed it must have been Evie’s granted wish since she had rarely seen snow as a Phoenix valley native. All of her Christmas wishes seemed to come true with the help of not only the weather, but the southern hospitality of the people in Anderson.
Evie was greeted by the directors of Anderson Lights of Hope – a 45 acre Christmas lights display in the heart of the city. They treated her like royalty and had a number of surprises awaiting her over her two day visit.
She first arrived at the Hilton Garden hotel where they directed her to a beautiful grand piano in an acoustic chamber. She gave a stunning private performance with several people who had been awaiting her arrival listening in.
The next day she was escorted to the Cancer Association of Anderson where she learned of their incredible impact for good on the local community who had been affected by cancer. They help provide transportation for treatments, emotional support, hats, blankets, scarfs, etc. medical insurance assistance, physical therapy and so much more. Evie and her mother were given a tour of the facility by Director Angie Stringer who is a cancer survivor herself.
They approached a wall with names where they recognize not only those who have passed on but caretakers who have fought with them and raised awareness. They presented Evie with her name and her father’s name to add to the wall. She and her mother placed them near the names of the father’s of their hosts. Both Ben and Bonnie Phillips also recently lost their fathers to cancer and were the ones to initiate Evie’s visit to South Carolina.
Evie was then presented with the South Carolina flag as a gift for her “performance at the Anderson Christmas Lights Event and for touching so many hearts with her dedication to family, her strength of survival, her talent, her inner and outer beauty and vivacious and caring personality.” This was presented and signed by the entire legislative delegation of Anderson County.
She was then presented with an authentic US flag that was flown over the capital in Washington DC at the request of Jeff Duncan in honor of Evie Clair and she was given a proclamation from Mayor Terence Roberts declaring December 9th Evie Clair Day! It officially recognized her accomplishments and praised her for raising awareness for the Cancer Association of Anderson. An official resolution was passed and signed by representatives of all the districts in the county to honor her.
They thanked her again for sharing her music and her story while she and her mother were overwhelmed with gratitude for such an honor and such love from the people of South Carolina.
To further show their appreciation for her, Ben Phillips took Evie to Drasien Edwards Music to let her pick a guitar of her choice which she hasn’t been able to put down.
Before the concert that night in the Electric City, Evie was treated to complimentary breakfast at Eggs Up Grill, a photoshoot at the Old Court House and city Christmas Tree with the famous Mr. Whitner Statue. The best part of her day was when her grandfather met them for lunch at Mellow Mushroom Pizza. Dean Abplanalp is Evie’s dad’s father who lives in Orlando, FL and was able to make it to SC for the event – another Christmas wish. The event went off without a hitch and Evie touched the hearts of many with her beautiful Christmas music. Despite the freezing temps, it was the largest turnout the Electric City had ever seen. Evie Clair found incredible, giving hearts in South Carolina and she says she will never forget the experience for the rest of her life.
(photo credits – Mike Heisler)
I love Christmas!
Mom placing my dad’s name on the wall at the Anderson Cancer Center
Show at Anderson Lights of Hope
They spoil me!
Signing autographs after the concert
Thank you Ben Phillips for my new guitar!
My mama and grandpa watching my show in 34 degrees!
In this special video Evie Clair and Spencer Jones collaborate with celebrities and YouTubers to create a benefit video for Evie’s dad, Amos, who found out in April 2016 that he has stage 4 colon cancer. Amos is an LDS Bishop in Arizona and a psychological professional counselor at a prison. His first operation was unsuccessful and left him with a colostomy. He has continued as bishop and has been given strength from family and friends and blessings from above to do so. Amos was also able to return back to work a month after surgery. He has made major diet changes and undergone intense chemo therapy for the past few months and is gearing up for another surgery. The cost of medical care and missed work and travel out of town for chemo every other week is becoming more then their family can bare. You can donate and keep up with Team Amos on a daily blog his wife keeps up at http://www.teamamos.com
Eye of the Tiger
Thank you so much to our friends who helped make this happen.
Spencer Jones – check out his new album, Redhill, and his videos with Cinematic Pop. He appeared on America’s Got Talent just a few weeks ago and we are grateful to have him as a friend.
The Wilky Ways – Our favorite English family vloggers. We love those adorable boys. Please subscribe to their channel for daily fun.
Hailey and Mila Smith – If you haven’t seen Once I Was a Beehive – it is now on Netflix. It’s my kid’s favorite movie! Also pick up the soundtrack to hear Evie sing one song by the talented Hailey and another she wrote herself.
Richard Sharrah – If you aren’t subscribed to Bored Shorts TV and kid history, you are missing out. Hilarious stuff! Richard is in tons of other stuff if you look for him. 🙂
Sara Arkell – The Piano Gal is the best pianist we know and she’s just a kid! Remember that Frozen video with the two backward piano players that went viral? That was her. She has done tons more stuff since then including a Japanese Game Show. You’ll want to follow her and her rising YouTube channel.
Rob Landes – Rob is an incredible violinist. His videos are professional and flawless and entertaining. Give him a listen. He was such a great competitor at CVX Live and took home the title of Next Big YouTuber. Go find out why!
Jesterz – Jef Rawls, owner of Jesterz is actually the guy who make up #teamamos He is an amazing friend and we appreciate him so much for his kindness towards us. Jesterz is a clean comedy club in Mesa, AZ and we are regulars there. We love to laugh in our family.
We also want to thank our favorite audio/video team Stephen Moyer, Thomas Manning and James Adams. We love these guys so much and hope you’ll consider them for your next project.
“Eye Of The Tiger” was originally performed for the movie Rocky by the band Survivor.
Rising up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance, now I’m back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive
So many times it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory
Don’t lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive
It’s the eye of the tiger
It’s the thrill of the fight
Rising up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor
Stalks his prey in the night
And he’s watching us all with the eye of the tiger
Face to face, out in the heat
Hanging tough, staying hungry
They stack the odds still we take to the street
For the kill with the skill to survive
Rising up, straight to the top
Had the guts, got the glory
Went the distance, now I’m not gonna stop
Just a man and his will to survive
It’s the eye of the tiger
It’s the thrill of the fight
Rising up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor
Stalks his prey in the night
And he’s watching us all with the eye of the tiger
Eye of the tiger
Eye of the tiger
Eye of the tiger