It's a bit curious, but nice when you sell something that is marketed mainly to family but then sells to other people. The other day, seven of my "Janie Thompson: The Girl from Nowhere Who Went Everywhere" storybooks were sold.
Three of these people knew who Janie was, but had never met her. They were just curious about her life story. The other person (who bought 4 books) might have been one of Janie's "kids" from the Program Bureau at BYU. She may have performed in her shows. I don't really know.
What I do know is that it is very gratifying that people remember Janie and want to buy this book about her. (I hope they share it with their grandchildren.)
Three of these people knew who Janie was, but had never met her. They were just curious about her life story. The other person (who bought 4 books) might have been one of Janie's "kids" from the Program Bureau at BYU. She may have performed in her shows. I don't really know.
What I do know is that it is very gratifying that people remember Janie and want to buy this book about her. (I hope they share it with their grandchildren.)
My cousin Tamina was right. If we had done nothing, our grandchildren and great grandchildren might grow up never knowing their great Aunt Janie. They might never know what a force for good she was or what a great example she continues to be. Many articles and chapters in books have been written about Janie Thompson. These have been written for and will likely be read only by interested adults. My storybook has been written for children, to help them know from someone's real life example, that it is possible to live your life sharing your talents as well as holding true to your standards.
She could have continued a glamorous life of singing and touring all over the world in the entertainment industry. She certainly had her chance. She sang with a big band that also featured world-renown singer Tony Bennett. When they sang together in Ike Carpenter's Big Band, Janie said that "Tony was the crooner and I was the red, hot mama."
The girl who was born in a dugout cabin in southern Idaho, later traveled all over the world singing the music she loved and feeling the adulation of audiences. For an entertainer, that is the height of success. When she accepted the job at BYU, she thought she would never feel that again. However, she was able to use her talents to help young students hone their own talents and hold to their high standards. And from her contacts and experience, she built a program that helped launch many careers. With these student shows, Janie got to travel even more extensively around the world. She still got to share the music she loved and feel the cheering ovations of the crowds.
In her later years, she was often asked to perform. It surprised her that into her late 80's she was still appreciated as a singer. Even at the time of her death, she was planning shows and writing music. Let that be an example to us all of enduring to the end --- with ambition and style!
In her later years, she was often asked to perform. It surprised her that into her late 80's she was still appreciated as a singer. Even at the time of her death, she was planning shows and writing music. Let that be an example to us all of enduring to the end --- with ambition and style!
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