August 2009 brought more gigs for the Cactus Cuties!  Mass Mutual booked the Cuties for two performances at their annual meeting in San Antonio, TX.  The Cuties arrived in San Antonio on the morning of Tuesday, August 4th and checked into the San Antonio Grand Hyatt.  The Cuties were excited to learn that The Dallas Cowboys 2009 Training Camp was going on in San Antonio and the entire team was also staying at the Grand Hyatt!!  The Cuties called Miss Terri and had her write a short Dallas Cowboys song.  The Cuties quickly learned it, in hopes they would have the opportunity to sing it for The Cowboys!!!  The Cuties reported to sound-check at 2:00 pm, had a short rehearsal, and returned to Cami’s room to prepare for the show.  The Cuties’ performance at the Welcome Reception began at 7:15 pm, and the Cuties performed a 20 minute set.  They were warmly received by the audience and were happy to sign autographs and take photos with the many children present at the event.  After the show, the Cuties’ friend Mr. Jay Boy Adams, who came to see the Cuties perform, introduced them to Mr. John Hickman with the Dallas Cowboys.  The Cuties performed for Mr. Hickman right there in the hotel lobby, and he was so impressed that he invited the Cuties to perform the National Anthem at a Dallas Cowboys game!!!!  The ecstatic Cactus Cuties said goodbye to Mr. Hickman and headed off to bed.  The Cuties woke very early and reported to sound-check at the Henry Gonzales Convention Center at 6:00 am.  They sleepily sang through the Anthem and were escorted to their dressing room to prepare for the show.  The Cuties performed the National Anthem for the Opening General Session at 8:00 am.  After a successful performance, they returned to the hotel where they saw the Dallas Cowboys buses lined up.  The Cuties ran over to one of the buses, where they saw Dallas Cowboys Assistant Coach, Jason Garrett.  He invited the Cuties into the bus, and the Cuties performed their new mini-song, “Dallas Cowboys.”  The Cuties’ original Cowboy song was a hit, and the Cuties could hardly wait to perform in the brand new Dallas Cowboys Stadium!!!  The Cuties returned to Lubbock that evening, anxious to see what God had planned for the rest of the month!!!

photographer: Leanna Elbert

The Cactus Cuties’ summer adventures continued with a booking in Grapevine, TX for the Southern Living at Home Convention.  The Cuties arrived at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center on the afternoon of Saturday, July 18th.  After settling in their rooms, they reported to sound-check at 5:00 pm in the Texas Ballroom.  The Cuties rehearsed their two numbers, “Amazing Grace” and “The Star Spangled Banner,” and were escorted to their holding room to dress for the show.  After changing clothes and applying a little hairspray, the Cuties took the stage for the performance.  The show went extremely well, and the Cuties spent the rest of the evening playing in the hotel pool!  The Cactus Cuties headed home on Sunday morning, thankful for another great experience on the Cutie journey!!!!!

photographer: Leanna Elbert

For the past six years, The Cactus Cuties have performed at Lubbock’s 4th of July celebration, “4th on Broadway,” but this year the Cuties were invited to perform with the Houston Symphony Orchestra for their Star Spangled Salute!!  The Cuties arrived in Houston on the morning of Friday, July 3rd and headed straight to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion for sound-check and rehearsal with the Houston Symphony.  Upon arrival to the venue, the Cuties got settled in their dressing room and were then escorted to the stage to meet the Principal Pops Conductor, Mr. Michael Krajewski.  Rehearsal was so much fun!!! The Cactus Cuties had never performed with an orchestra before, and they loved singing with such powerful music!  By showtime, the Cuties were excited and anxious to take the stage.  Thousands of people were packed into the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion to see the special holiday show.  The Cuties performed The National Anthem, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, The Rockin’ It Old School Medley, and Children of America.  At the close of the Cuties’ performance, the people rose to their feet giving them a massive standing ovation!!!  After the show, the Cuties watched the fireworks together and then headed to the hotel to rest before their second show.  The Cuties slept in on Saturday, July 4th and spent the day relaxing before the Star Spangled Salute at the Miller Outdoor Theater in Hermann Park.  The Cuties were escorted to the theater that evening and had another great performance.  Although the Cuties missed their families in Lubbock on Independence Day, they truly loved performing in the Star Spangled Salute concerts.  Mr. Michael Krajewski and the Houston Symphony Orchestra were absolutely fabulous and the Cuties were so honored to spend their 4th of July weekend performing with such talent!!!!!  The Cactus Cuties hope to perform with them again someday!!!!

photographer: Leanna Elbert

The Cactus Cuties were booked to perform The Star Spangled Banner at the National College Baseball Hall of Fame Awards Show and Banquet at the United Spirit Arena in Lubbock, Texas.  The event featured the presentation of the Dick Howser Trophy to the national player of the year, the Brooks Wallace Award to the nation’s best shortstop, and the Pitcher of the Year Award.  The Awards Show and Banquet was televised on sports networks across the country, and the city of Lubbock was honored to host such a special event for the Baseball Hall of Fame.  The Cuties reported to the United Spirit Arena on the evening of Thursday, July 2nd and were thrilled to discover comedian/actor/singer Roy Firestone was booked as the emcee for the event.  The Cuties became friends with Mr. Roy at Muhammad Ali’s Celebrity Fight Night earlier this year and were happy to hang with him for a bit!!!  With the cameras rolling, the Cuties said a prayer and took the stage.  After a solid performance, the Cactus Cuties said goodbye and headed to bed to get some sleep before their busy Fourth of July weekend!!!

photographer: Leanna Elbert