‘Britain’s Got Talent’ Phenom Susan Boyle Makes US Solo Debut at Joel Osteen’s Church

graysea · Published

‘Britain’s Got Talent’ Phenom Susan Boyle Makes US Solo Debut at Joel Osteen’s Church

Published October 31, 2013 | By admin2

Susan Boyle will perform at Lakewood Church in Houston Nov. 17. (Facebook)

Pastors Joel and Victoria Osteen will welcome Susan Boyle to Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, for her first live solo performance in the U.S. during two Sunday services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. CST on Nov. 17. Both services will be live-streamed at joelosteen.com and rebroadcast on the Daystar television network three weeks later.

Boyle will perform three songs, including “Miracle Hymn,” an original composition from The Christmas Candle film, in which Boyle plays a role, and “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” her duet with Elvis Presley. Both tracks are on Boyle’s upcoming album, Home for Christmas, which released Tuesday.

Averaging 43,500 in weekly attendance, Lakewood is America’s largest church and the first stop on Boyle’s U.S. promo tour for her fifth album and her major motion picture debut in The Christmas Candle, a feature film based on a novella of the same name by best-selling author Max Lucado.

“Victoria and I, like all of America, fell in love with Susan Boyle the first time we saw her,” Joel Osteen says. “We are delighted and honored that she chose Lakewood Church for her first solo performance in this country.”

Boyle says, “I am really looking forward to attending and performing at Lakewood. This will be the largest audience I have ever performed to in the USA, and I am very excited. I’m also looking forward to my first trip to Texas. Many of my Texan fans have traveled around the globe for me, so I am excited to be visiting their home state and singing in such a wonderful venue. It is also the first time I perform ‘Miracle Hymn’ and ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ to a live audience, so it will be a very special moment.”

Boyle gained worldwide attention with her appearance as a contestant on the TV program Britain’s Got Talent in April 2009, singing “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables. She has gone on to become a top-selling artist, with more than 20 million albums sold worldwide, and has stormed to the top of the charts in more than 30 countries, garnered two Grammy nominations, and has seen her four albums go multiplatinum in more than 38 countries.

Adding to her myriad talents, Boyle will appear in her first acting role with the release of The Christmas Candle next month, in which she stars alongside Samantha Barks (Les Misérables) as Eleanor Hopewell, wife of the churchwarden in the enchanting village of Gladbury. The inspirational family film, produced by Impact Productions and Big Book Media and distributed by EchoLight Studios, releases in the U.S. on Nov. 22.

ANN CARROLL

http://aworship.com/britains-got-talent-phenom-susan-boyle-makes-us-solo-debut-at-joel-osteens-church/

graysea

I am very pleased to post these fabulous posters created by Canadian Bill of SBFII.

What a wonderful "Home For Christmas" CD Susan has made for us to enjoy for many years to come. Thank you Canadian Bill for sharing your marvelous posters.

graysea · **Published: Mon, October 28, 2013**

The wonder of Susan Boyle biopic to follow Elvis duet

SINGING star Susan Boyle’s amazing life story is to be the subject of a film blockbuster.

By: Gavin Docherty

Published: Mon, October 28, 2013

A new film is set to be made aout the life of talen show star Susan Boyle [SAVE THE CHILDREN]

Susan teased her fans with the revelation yesterday in London as she made the announcement that her duet with Elvis Presley is being released as a Christmas single to raise money for charity.

Elvis had huge hits with songs such as The Wonder of You and Heartbreak Hotel.

But his version of O Come, All Ye Faithful was chosen for the Boyle duet and proceeds will go to Save The Children.

Speaking of the forthcoming biopic the star, who shot to fame on Britain’s Got Talent, told fans to “watch this space” for more announcements.

She said: “There are plans in operation for that, but that’s for later on.”

It comes as One Chance, the biopic of Paul Potts, who also achieved fame after appearing on BGT, was released with James Corden in the lead role.

Susan, 52, from Blackburn, West Lothian, has become an ambassador for Save The Children and filmed a video for the Elvis track at St Rose of Lima Primary School in Craigend, Glasgow.

Duetting with Elvis was beyond my wildest dreams. That this is able to raise money and help children is fantastic

Susan Boyle

She said: “Duetting with Elvis was beyond my wildest dreams. That this is able to raise money and help children is fantastic.

“I’ve had the privilege of spending time with those from a Fast programme – Families And Schools Together.

“To see the money raised in action and the difference it makes to families is wonderful.

“The children from the Fast programme also joined me for the video. We had a lovely two days and they were fabulous. They were all stars.”

The single, from Susan’s fifth album, will be released on Sunday, December 8. In a recorded message to the press conference, music supremo Simon Cowell said he was “proud” of Susan. He added: “No one of all the people I’ve met has a bigger heart than you.”

Susan will make her film debut in A Christmas Candle. The movie is to be released for Christmas.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/439778/The-wonder-of-Susan-Boyle-biopic-to-follow-Elvis-duet?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+daily-express-uk-news+(Daily+Express+%3A%3A+UK+Feed)

graysea

Susan Boyle will be Chieftain on May 31, 2014 Highland Games

Homecoming Scotland 2014: British Pipe Band Championships

MUSIC EVENT

Meadow Park, 19 Glasgow Road, Bathgate, West Lothian, EH48 2AB

This fantastic event has taken place on the last Saturday in May since 1973. In 2013 the Highland Games will act as the warm up event for Bathgate hosting the UK Piping Championships on Saturday the 25th of May.

Bathgate is proud to host the many traditional activities on the day including highland dancing, solo piping, music from pipe bands and heavy athletics competitions.

This is a great family day out with lots to do for young and old.

http://visitwestlothian.co.uk/whats-on/history-heritage/west-lothian-highland-games-2014/

graysea · 29th October 2013

News

Susan Joins Forces Save The Children to Release ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ featuring Elvis Presley

29th October 2013

Yesterday, after weeks of military style planning and the best kept secret ever, we announced that Susan Boyle has joined forces with Save the Children and her debut single ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ with Elvis Presley is being released on Sunday 8th December 2013 worldwide.

It was an eventful 24 hours before the announcement with every contingency plan put into place as we battled against the ever increasing threat of the “worst storm for 20 years”.

As the weather reports grew, we swapped Susan from plane to overnight train. She had a performance in Glasgow on Sunday night and had to make the last train or else she would have been stranded in Scotland and little hope of making it down in time for the announcement. With minutes to spare Susan in her beautiful gown with Lorraine holding the long dress ran down the platform to the carriage. Safely on the train, they made it into Euston station just as they closed Euston because of the storms.

After a quick nap and an outfit change Susan was ready to go and arrived at Sony for her first ever press conference.

The theme was winter wonderland and it really was decorated beautifully. As guests arrived they had to weave their way through a forest of snow covered trees, past Ned the St Bernard dog to the boardroom which had been transformed into a stunning white room, with sofa’s and white Christmas trees, all beautifully uplit. Mulled wine, champagne and delicious christmas canapés were served whilst they awaited for the arrival of our 3 VIP’s.

Susan Boyle, Paul O Grady and CEO of Save the Children Justin Forsyth arrived and immediately sprung into action announcing that not only was Susan a new ambassador for Save the Children but she was donating 100% of the profits from her single to support the charity. Simon Cowell sent over night a filmed message of support and then the much anticipated first play of the music video that she had filmed in Scotland just 8 days before with children from a school in Glasgow who were involved in the inspirational FAST programme that brings families and education together.

The event was a phenomenal success as you will have seen through all the wonderful press coverage and Susan thoroughly enjoyed her first press conference and can’t wait for the next one…... Hopefully without the storms and emergency back up plans!

http://www.susanboylemusic.com/gb/news/item/susan_joins_forces_save_the_children_to_release_o_come_all_ye_faithful/

Rachel Loxton · Monday 28/10/2013

Dream night as Subo helps hospice appeal

Susan Boyle gave a stunning performance as she got behind a fundraising campaign to build a new hospice in Glasgow.

Rachel LoxtonReporter

Monday 28/10/2013

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The glitzy bash was in aid of the new hospice
The glitzy bash was in aid of the new hospice

The singer, who rose to fame after appearing on Britain's Got Talent and singing I Dreamed A Dream, joined celebrities, including Darius Campbell, and television presenter Carol Smillie, for the Prince And Princess Of Wales Hospice 30th Anniversary Variety Performance.

Comedienne Karen Dunbar hosted the event, which was held at the Clyde Auditorium last night.

After performing Ms Boyle said: "I am honoured to have been asked to support the Prince And Princess Of Wales Hospice's Variety Performance and helping to raise money for the Brick by Brick Appeal, which will build a much-needed new hospice for Glasgow."

All proceeds went to the hospice's £15million Brick By Brick Appeal, which is supported by the Evening Times, to create a new facility next to Bellahouston Park.

Thousands of people flocked to the gala event to see opera act Amore, Gymtasia Evolution and a group from the The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Barbara Bryceland, from BBC show The Voice, also took to the stage, while singers Tallia Storm and Owen Paul provided entertainment, along with comedian Craig Hill.

rachel.loxton@ eveningtimes.co.uk

graysea

San Antonio Press Releases

Susan Boyle To Sing At Lakewood Church In First Live U.S. Solo Performance

PR Newswire

HOUSTON, Oct. 28, 2013

HOUSTON, Oct. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Pastors Joel and Victoria Osteen welcome Susan Boyle toLakewood Church in Houston, Texas, for her biggest-ever live performance in the USA during two Sunday services (at 8:30 and 11:00 am CST) November 17, 2013. Both services will be live-streamed atwww.joelosteen.com and rebroadcast on the Daystar Television Network three weeks later.

Boyle will perform three songs, including "Miracle Hymn," an original composition from "The Christmas Candle" film, as well as "O Come, All Ye Faithful," her duet with Elvis Presley. Both tracks are on her upcoming album "Home for Christmas," releasing October 29.

Averaging 43,500 in weekly attendance, Lakewood is America's largest church and the first stop on Boyle's U.S. promo tour for her fifth album as well as her major motion picture debut in "The Christmas Candle," the first feature film based on a book by best-selling author, Max Lucado.

"Victoria and I, like all of America, fell in love with Susan Boyle the first time we saw her," Pastor Osteen said. "We are delighted and honored that she chose Lakewood Church for her first solo performance in this country."

Boyle said: "I am really looking forward to attending and performing at Lakewood. This will be the largest audience I have ever performed to in the USA and I am very excited. I'm also looking forward to my first trip to Texas. Many of my Texan fans have travelled around the globe for me so I am excited to be visiting their home state and singing in such a wonderful venue. It is also the first time I perform Miracle Hymn and O Come, All Ye Faithful to a live audience so it will be a very special moment."

Boyle gained worldwide attention with her appearance as a contestant on the TV program "Britain's Got Talent" in April 2009, singing "I Dreamed a Dream" from "Les Misérables." Susan has gone on to become a top selling artist with over 20 million albums sold worldwide, stormed to the top of the charts in over 30 countries, garnered two Grammy nominations and her four albums have gone multi-platinum in over 38 countries.

Adding to her myriad of talents, Boyle will appear in her first acting role with the release of "The Christmas Candle" next month. Boyle stars alongside Samantha Barks ("Les Misérables") as Eleanor Hopewell, wife of the churchwarden in the enchanting village of Gladbury. The inspirational family film, produced by Impact Productions and Big Book Media, and distributed by EchoLight Studios, will release in the U.S. on Nov. 22.

For additional information about Boyle, visit http://www.susanboylemusic.com/, and about "The Christmas Candle," visit http://www.christmascandlemovie.com.

ABOUT SUSAN BOYLE

In 2009 Susan Boyle stepped onto the "Britain's Got Talent" stage and surprised the world. In the blink of an eye, she went from unknown to worldwide fame, and news crews from around the globe were camped on the small narrow street in provincial Blackburn Scotland, outside her childhood home. InNov. 2013 she debuts her acting role in "The Christmas Candle," cementing her versatility within the world of entertainment. She shows no sign of slowing down with her raw combination of strength and fragility, beauty and solitude that is her singing voice with which she captured the world's imagination.

ABOUT "THE CHRISTMAS CANDLE"

"The Christmas Candle" is based on the book by international best-selling author, Max Lucado, who also makes a cameo in the film set deep in the heart of the English countryside in the enchanting village of Gladbury. Legend has it every 25 years an angel visits the village candle maker and touches a single candle. Whoever lights the Christmas Candle receives a miracle on Christmas Eve. But in 1890, at the dawn of the electric age, this centuries-old legend may come to an end. Featuring Hans Matheson (Sherlock Holmes), Samantha Barks ("Les Misérables") and Sylvester McCoy ("The Hobbit"). Distributed by EchoLight Studios, the film opens widely November 22.

ABOUT LAKEWOOD CHURCH

Lakewood Church of Houston, TX is America's largest church and one of the most diverse. Joel Osteen's weekly services are broadcast in the U.S. and around the world in over 100 nations. According to Nielsen Media Research, Joel Osteen is the most watched minister in America and reaches 95% of all U.S. television households. Since 1999, under the leadership of Joel and his wifeVictoria Osteen, Lakewood has grown to over 43,500 attending each week and unprecedented outreach through television, online and stadium events across the U.S. In 2005, Lakewood moved into its present location, the former Compaq Center, a 16,000-seat arena that was once home to the Houston Rockets professional basketball team. For more information, go to www.lakewood.cc or www.joelosteen.com

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAndrea Davis, (713) 491-1339, andrea@joelosteen.com (for Lakewood)Candace Lee, (918) 381 6306, clee@impactprod.org (for Susan Boyle)Melany Ethridge (972) 267-1111, melany@alarryross.com (for "The Christmas Candle")

graysea · Monday 28 October 2013

Susan shines

Monday 28 October 2013

SINGER Susan Boyle gave a stunning performance in Glasgow last night as she got behind a fundraising campaign to build a new hospice.

The star, who rose to fame after appearing on Britain's Got Talent, dazzled at the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice 30th Anniversary Variety Performance.

All proceeds from the event at the Clyde Auditorium went to the hospice's £15 million Brick by Brick Appeal to create a new facility next to Bellahouston Park in Glasgow.

Picture: Martin Shields

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/susan-shines.22537243

graysea

SUSAN BOYLE LAUNCHES CHARITY CHRISTMAS SINGLE

‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ the highly anticipated duet from Susan Boyle & Elvis Presley is set to top the charts ... for Save the Children.

Monday, 28 October 2013 - 1:10pm

Singing superstar Susan Boyle is set to top the charts globally when her extraordinary duet with Elvis Presley is released as a Christmas single to raise vital funds for Save the Children.

The Scottish phenomenon has joined forces with the globally respected charity, Save the Children, as an ambassador to support its UK and International work.

Her debut into the singles chart with ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ is especially poignant. She is the first British artist ever to have a posthumous duet with the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll feature on their album and now this pivotal moment in British music will be even more significant as the track is to be released as a single and proceeds will go to children in the UK and across the world*.

The official charity single will be released worldwide on Sunday 8th December 2013 with proceeds being donated to Save the Children*. The single is available to preorder from today on iTunes and Amazon.

Susan Boyle said; “Duetting with Elvis was beyond my wildest dreams. And now that this is able to raise money and help children is simply fantastic. I’ve had the privilege of spending time with families from a FAST programme, Families & Schools Together, that is run at a school in Glasgow. To see the money raised in action and the difference it makes to these families is wonderful. It really does help people. The children from the FAST program also joined me for the music video, we had a lovely two days and the children were fabulous. They were all stars!”

Justin Forsyth CEO of Save the Children said; “We are delighted to announce the global phenomenon Susan Boyle as a new ambassador for Save the Children and that all profits from her Christmas single with Elvis will help save children’s lives.

“Every year, more than 6 million children in the poorest parts of the world die from easily preventable causes like diarrhea, malaria and pneumonia. Some children lose their lives simply because they can’t get the nutritious food that they need. As one of Britain’s most famous talents, whose story has inspired us all, we know that Susan will raise awareness of these important issues as well as funds that will help Save the Children make a difference to stamp out preventable deaths of children across the globe and help poor children in the UK fulfill their potential.”

Save The Children began in 1919 and now work in 120 countries around the world. In 2012 alone, the charity helped over 20.6 million children and responded to 45 emergencies.
The Save the Children FAST programme, Families & School’s Together, was founded in 2010 in the UK and is an early-intervention programme for primary school age pupils. FAST brings parents, children, schools and the wider community together, to help parents create opportunities for learning and development at home and to make sure children get the support they need to fulfill their potential at school and in life.

Known best for her element of surprise and a powerful and heart stopping voice, Susan has become a global top selling artist. The phenomenal album sales, record breaking achievements and multi platinum chart domination- Susan has come a long way from the Britain’s Got Talent stage in 2009.

To date her previous four albums, ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ ‘The Gift‘ ‘Someone To Watch Over Me’ and ‘Standing Ovation’ have sold over 20 million copies and stormed to the top of the charts in over 38 countries. She has had over 130 platinum and gold albums in four years and two Grammy nominations. Her fifth album “Home for Christmas” is released on Monday 25th November 2013 in the UK and is available for pre order on www.amazon.co.uk

Syco will donate 100% of its profits from the sale of each CD single and download to Save the Children Fund, a registered charity (213890 and SC039570). This will be at least £1 for each CD sold in the UK and at least 20p for each download sold in the UK.

Artist: Susan Boyle
Single: O Come, All Ye Faithful
Release Date: Sunday 8th December 2013 worldwide.
Label: Syco Music

Press Contact at Syco Music: Nicola Phillips - 07738-180-888 nicola@np-pr.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

*Money raised in the USA will be donated to the Elvis Foundation.

Syco Entertainment
Syco Entertainment is a joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music and is one of the world's leading global music, film and television production companies responsible for some of the world's most successful global TV and music franchises. Syco Entertainment is also the world's most successful producer of international talent with Syco Music being the record label home for such diverse international recording artists as Labrinth, One Direction, Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, Little Mix, James Arthur, Ella Henderson, IL Divo, Tate Stevens, Emblem3, Fifth Harmony, and the Loveable Rogues. Syco's television assets include the global franchises The X Factor and Got Talent. The X Factor was created by Syco Television and is produced by Syco Television and Fremantle Media. Local versions of The X Factor are produced in more than 41 territories and the US version of The X Factor airs in over 166 countries. In 2012 Got Talent became the world's biggest selling TV format and is now commissioned in 52 countries as a local format. In 2013 Syco continues to capitalize on the ongoing success of its established global hit TV formats and a number of new projects including three films; One Direction's 3D movie 'This Is Us' with Sony Pictures, 'One Chance', a film based on the success story of Britain's Got Talent's first winner, Paul Potts, in association with the Weinstein Company and a family film starring Britain's Got Talent 2012 winner Pudsey the dog, called 'Pudsey The Movie'.

Save The Children
About Save the ChildrenSave the Children works in more than 120 countries. We save children's lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential.www.savethechildren.org.uk

http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/2013-10/susan-boyle-launches-charity-christmas-single

graysea

GUESS WHAT I GOT IN THE MAIL TODAY!

Please place order - click on link: http://www.subostore.com/

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

IS FANTASTIC, MAJESTIC, MARVELOUS, SENSATIONAL,

REMARKABLE, SPLENDID, OUTSTANDING AND PERFECT.

I am listening to Susan Boyle's new CD "Home For Christmas" right now. What a truly fantastic voice!!!!! Majestic music right from heaven above. Susan has given us another wonderful and delightful masterpiece. How great this gift is: a completely enjoyable CD from her heart just for Christmas. Outstanding music, Ms. Susan Boyle! Thank you!

1. O Come, All Ye Faithful - duet with Elvis Presley:

- Song starts with soft piano notes and Susan's beautiful voice. Elvis joins in with his masterful voice, then the choir. Majestic! Marvelous! Such a wonderful way to hear this great carol. Supreme!

2 The Lord's Prayer :

- Starts with soft piano, then Susan's beautiful prayer. Serene and blissful! Tears abound. Sensational!

3. Little Drummer Boy:

- Heavy drum starts this very nice carol. Susan sings so strong in this song. Very distinct, and powerful version, especially the joining of the bagpipes. Remarkable!

4. I'll be home for Christmas:

- Oh, so dreamy! Swing and sway like long ago. Love this dreamy, gorgeous version. The best way to reminisce past times. You naturally think of your family and far away loved ones. It is marvelous. Splendid!

5. When A Child Is Born, duet with Johnny Mathis:

- Susan start softly, such clear notes. Great duet with Johnny's strong voice - Susan's voice is so crystal clear and melodious. Beautiful!

6. The Christmas Song:

- "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire", absolutely wonderful, marvelous, goes right to the heart - you really get the feeling of Christmas with this one. Sentimental!

7. I believe in Father Christmas:

- Don't know this song; however, Susan's voice is beautiful, such feelings, almost like she is singing to you, and you alone. Nice bagpipes and lots of instrumentals in this beautiful song. What a voice!!!!!!

8. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas:

- So smooth. Again, what a voice. Susan's voice is crystal clear singing here. Instrumental compliments her voice. Singing like no other. Such feelings come over me. Sentimental song. Listen to "somehow", not your average singer, no way!

9. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing:

- Fantastic choir voices start this beautiful carol. The best church version you could every listen too. It makes me feel so good. The choir joins in so beautifully. This is Christmas!!!! A regal, majestic carol!!

10. The Christmas Waltz:

- Again, Susan voice is the greatest for a Christmas ballad. What a sweet, melodious voice. Love it! Guitar and Piano (old fashioned - spinet type) beautiful! Great! Listen to her "come true". Outstanding version!!

11. In the Bleak Midwinter:

- Not familiar with the song. Susan sings a soulful prayer here. Reminds me of a far-away highland place. Thoughtful and meaningful!

12 Miracle Hymn:

- Speechless - Stunning, glorious music! What a fantastic church hymn, splendid! What a voice! We are blessed hearing this. Perfect church hymn - Magnificent!

Susan, you have given us an incomparable, precious classic CD that we can enjoy forever. Thank you.

Susan Boyle: Singer and Now Businesswoman

By Marie Sheahan Brown

Who can forget the YouTube masterpiece? She strode and sashayed onto the stage with golden stature and confidence. She sparred wittily with the three famous judges, wearied by their long day of auditions in Glasgow, Scotland. She didn’t look the part of a “professional singer,” although one might perceive that being “currently unemployed” at forty-seven left little extra for beauty-shop pampering. Was she, rather, a comedienne? Susan Boyle audition

Then she sang. The formerly skeptical audience stood enraptured, tears welling as she belted out “I Dreamed A Dream” from Les Misérables with stunning clarity and passion.

More than five years after the seven-minute audition video aired on Britain’s Got Talent on April 11, 2009, and promptly hit worldwide news feeds, multitudes in America and beyond remember Susan Boyle. Since she first broke Amazon pre-sale records in September 2009, millions have bought her albums. Each year, a new carefully crafted album has been released in time for Christmas. Since 2009, five albums have garnered sixty-three gold and ninety-four platinum sales levels in forty-two countries. Her sixth album, Hope, will be released on October 21 in the United States.

Scottish and United Kingdom audiences thrilled to Miss Boyle’s first full-length concert tours in 2013 and 2014. Now she’s coming to America—home of an immediate and strong support base—starting in San Diego on October 8, and singing her way across the southern half of the United States at venues in twenty cities. A sweep through the northern states could likely follow in the future.

See http://www.susanboylemusic.com/us/events

Many have written about Susan Boyle’s difficult and graced life. Her 2010 autobiography, The Woman I Was Born to Be, is a good source. Now fifty-three, she carefully revealed late in 2013 that, after decades of mistaken assumptions, she had finally been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. The relief of self-knowledge strengthens and encourages her after a lifetime of dealing with debilitating anxiety and panic attacks, and some difficulty in handling emotions and relating comfortably to people.

“This is a point: People may have problems,” she states in a documentary, “but they’ve got other things as well. And they’ve got a lot more to offer.” (Gammon, Lottie, produced, filmed, and directed. “There’s Something About Susan.” Firecracker Films Ltd. for ITV, 45:37 minutes. 2013)

Fewer analyses have considered her role as a small businesswoman and philanthropist whose personal success has enhanced the lives and small businesses of countless others not only in her native Scotland but also in, for example, America.

Miss Boyle, easily mistaken for a stately five feet ten in the famous video, is, in fact, barely over five feet tall with soft, dainty hands and feet—a huggable China doll. So she does qualify as a smallbusinesswoman despite her multimillions in sales, which also benefit business giants like Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited; SYCOmusic (Simon Cowell); Simon & Schuster, Inc.; Amazon; and, more recently, concert tour bus companies. In significant other ways, she retains her focus on the little ones.

The woman who had “never been married, never been kissed” and remains a virgin has, since 2009, given birth with astonishing fecundity. Lewis Hyde well describes her kind of gift and fertility in his 1983 classic, The Gift: Imagination and the Erotic Life of Property: “I have hoped . . . to speak of the inner gift that we accept as the object of our labor, and the outer gift that has become a vehicle of culture. I am not concerned with gifts given in spite or fear, nor those gifts we accept out of servility or obligation; my concern is the gift we long for, the gift that, when it comes, speaks commandingly to the soul and irresistibly moves us.”

Mr. Hyde first explores traditional “gift economies,” in which citizens are considered wealthy not according to how much they acquire but how much they give. In fictional form, Jean M. Auel’s well-researched Earth’s Children series (The Clan of the Cave Bear and five sequels) describes the creativity and ingenuity that led people to survive, to form communities, and to work cooperatively for mutual benefit. Goods, services, storytelling and musical talents, art, and many other gifts were appreciated in deeper ways than they might be in a typical “market economy.”

According to reviewer JoAnn Schwartz, “Above all, Hyde is interested in examining the effect our current immersion in the market economy and the myth of the free market has both on our view of gifts and on our ability to give and receive them. The market economy is deliberately impersonal, but the whole purpose of the ‘gift economy’ is to establish and strengthen the relationships between us, to connect us one to the other. It is this element of relationship which leads Hyde to speak of gift exchange as ‘erotic’ commerce, opposing eros (the principle of attraction, union, involvement which binds together) to logos (reason and logic in general, the principle of differentiation in particular). A market economy is an emanation of logos.

“In a market economy,” Ms. Schwartz continues, “one can hoard one’s goods without losing wealth. Indeed, wealth is increased by hoarding—although we generally call it ‘saving.’ In contrast, in a gift economy, wealth is decreased by hoarding, for it is the circulation of the gift(s) within the community that leads to increase—increase in connections, increase in relationship strength. Through this book, Hyde helps us focus on the importance of gifts, their flow and movement, and the impact that the modern market place has had on the circulation of gifts.” (http://southerncrossreview.org/4/schwartz.html)

Susan Boyle does appreciate the financial security that she had never known, especially in the fearsome years after her mother died in 2007, when Miss Boyle kept her house cold so that she could afford the heating bill. Yet more important, Susan Boyle has said all along, “I sing to make people happy.” When she was a girl, the gift spoke “commandingly to the soul”—her soul. She honed, honed, honed the gift to perfection over decades of world obscurity. She sees with gratitude and humility the effects of this gift on people worldwide. When this gift is pointed out to her in personal conversation, she bows her head and lowers her eyes shyly. “Thank you.”

Miss Boyle’s fame and financial success have boosted tourism modestly in West Lothian, Scotland, with its pastoral more than spectacular scenery, a region that has suffered from bouts of economic depression and unemployment over the past few centuries. In February 2013, for example, following a centuries-old pattern, the main employer in the area—Halls of Broxburn meat processing plant—was closed by foreign owners, leaving 1,700 unemployed.

Lorraine Campbell co-owns and manages The Balbairdie—a nicely refurbished old hotel and pub in Bathgate, West Lothian. When the economy suffers, The Balbairdie feels it. Asked how she copes, Ms. Campbell replied, “You just keep going.” Happily, the local economy has improved some since 2013, according to Ms. Campbell in April 2014.

Miss Boyle has engaged experts like Andy Stephens, manager; Nicola Phillips, publicist; and Andrew Panton, creative and vocal director, to name a few. She has provided jobs for local personal assistants who handle correspondence, scheduling, wardrobe consultation, and myriad other details; gardeners; carpenters to renovate the council house she grew up and still lives in (her first big post-Britain’s Got Talent purchase); a housekeeper; women who fix her hair, do her nails, and apply her makeup for special public appearances and photo sessions; and others who tend to basic needs of a now-busy celebrity who still prefers to live in her home village, stop in at her favorite small shops and establishments, and take the bus.

Miss Boyle has also given seed money and sponsorship for creative business and charitable ventures in her local community and beyond. One start-up, Boyle’s Boutique, is an extended-family cottage industry that sells, among others, products featuring the new Boyle Tartan created for the family. Products may be ordered online.

Susan Boyle’s very capable personal assistant Sadie Boyle (no relation) says Miss Boyle gets about four hundred emails weekly, many requesting her generosity. This kind of response to another’s fame and fortune is not uncommon.

More unusual, and a clearer example of the fruits of the “gift economy,” is the generation of a worldwide community of Susan Boyle supporter-fans who have formed friendships, discovered or rekindled their own creative gifts, invested thousands of volunteer hours, spread financial generosity, and—to a small extent—started creative cottage enterprises for profit or merely to cover expenses.

Several unofficial Susan Boyle fansites live on the Internet. The first and largest, still flourishing, is www.susan-boyle.com. On April 11, 2009, Paul Wood, a London construction worker, watched Miss Boyle’s audition on TV and immediately put up a website. Starting within hours after the audition aired, people from many continents to whom Susan Boyle’s gift spoke “commandingly to the soul” were “irresistibly move[d]” to find out anything they could about her on the Internet. They frequently stumbled across Mr. Wood’s hastily launched site with its prolific discussion threads generating hundreds of written comments every day in the first two months of Miss Boyle’s fame.

To bring some order to the conversational chaos, Mr. Wood launched a companion Forum in June 2009 with more sophisticated software, accessed through the main website. Anyone could (and still can) join for free. The main rules are that one not be an Internet troll (a term and experience many had never heard of), that one behave reasonably civilly as outlined in posted guidelines, and that one not use the Forum itself for commercial purposes (more on that later).

Volunteer moderators and techies keep the discussions and online experience on an even keel. Online advertisements generated by Google AdSense and Amazon sales linked to the website (“SuBo Store”) help pay for the normal operational expenses.

In early 2010, Mr. Wood announced that he was going to auction off the website (some fifty thousand registered members) and its Forum (a few thousand registered members at the time). The worldwide member community could not bear the prospect of being taken over by some unknown commercial entity with other goals. So they decided to bid on the fansite themselves. A few members—by no means wealthy—each voluntarily loaned trusted fellow members a few thousand dollars to buy the fansite during the auction. The effort succeeded in July 2010.

Navigating through some tensions and hurt feelings (typical in any community anywhere), the worldwide Susan Boyle Fans International, Inc. (SBFII) community established itself as a non-profit corporation registered in Delaware, USA. SBFII elects a multinational volunteer board of directors; keeps meticulous financial records and files annual tax returns; maintains bylaws; and holds online annual meetings and elections engaging active members. Technically not a charity, SBFII uses AdSense and SuBo Store income to cover modest expenses and keep a healthy bank balance. Funds left over from voluntary collections (often for tasteful gifts for Miss Boyle for special occasions) are donated to a charity of Susan Boyle’s choice, frequently benefitting children in Scotland. By December 2011, SBFII repaid all interest-free loans given by members to buy the website; it remains debt free. No member gets paid for services to SBFII or personally benefits financially.

From the beginning, even silver-haired grandmothers proficient only with email learned to navigate the fansites in order to participate in a community of people who have experienced an inexplicable response to Susan Boyle—both her singing and her unique way of being—unlike their response to other favorite singers. Within months, members began gathering in person around the globe (often in restaurants, boosting local economies). They attended (and surreptitiously filmed and posted to the fansites for the enjoyment of those who could not attend) Miss Boyle’s performances in various cities (Britain’s Got Talent tour venues in the UK; Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Tokyo, and more). Supporter-fans flocked to these events even though—until only 2013, when she first tried her own full-length concerts in Scotland—Miss Boyle was slated to sing just one, two, maybe three songs. These gatherings supported local hotels, B+Bs, restaurants, cab drivers, shops, and other travel-related businesses.

Miss Boyle and her team soon experienced that supporter-fans who came to these early events were older or at least more mature than stereotypical rowdies at, for example, Justin Bieber concerts. They saw that typical Susan Boyle supporter-fans are responsible, respectful, fun loving, generative. They include retired or active professionals—teachers, nurses, techies, writers, musicians, artists, farmers, truckers, businesspeople, social workers, radio hosts, professors, lawyers, homemakers, construction workers, postmasters, foresters.

To most gatherings (usually at restaurants) supporter-fans bring homemade memorabilia to share, including commemorative buttons and red scarves to identify themselves in various venues. The popularity of such items led SBFII to add another linked site, “Fan Creations,” linked in turn to the creators’ individual websites. Products include non-Susan-Boyle-related fan creations. Currently, three members offer SuBotique Hand Painted Apparel; Creative Images by tweek (Buttons, Mugs, etc.); and Susan Boyle Professional Singer chronicles gathered from news and other sources.

SBFII members often post creative ideas and images to discuss in writing with one another. Memorably, in 2009, a member from Texas, one from Iowa, and other volunteers, coordinated an international quilting bee. Supporter-fans from every continent, including Antarctica, created and mailed squares for a handmade quilt presented to Miss Boyle at a brunch following her debut solo appearance on the Todayshow on November 23—the day her first album, I Dreamed A Dream, was released in the United States and quickly broke world records in several categories.

Members can upload Susan-related videos that they have created; share poems that they’ve written; upload posters that they’ve designed digitally to document Miss Boyle’s career and accomplishments; upload news reports of supporter-fan activities, complete with photographs; post fine pencil drawings or paintings displaying talent the artists had only recently discovered; and offer a place where members can contribute their own essays. These essays, sometimes written in French or other non-English languages, often try to explain how the wee singer with the big voice; the shy woman who communicates profoundly—cor ad cor loquitur—through music others have written; the multimillionaire who stays in her small lifelong home and still takes the bus—the essentially inexplicable Susan Boyle—“irresistibly moves” them.

SBFII and other volunteers take responsibility to daily and positively post or re-post Susan Boyle news, photos, and encounters on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media. Their Internet involvement began immediately when Miss Boyle became famous—and once again experienced the bullying known since childhood, only this time inflicted by some members of the media and anonymous commentators. She writes in her autobiography, “What I didn’t know then, because I didn’t have a computer at the time, was that every time there was a mean comment about me in the press, a dozen messages of support would appear in response. On the Internet there was a growing community of fans. I had no idea how many people out there in the world felt moved to stick up for me, and I want to thank everybody for that.” (The Woman I Was Born to Be, pages 188–189)

Miss Boyle’s professional team also encourages creativity from fans. Starting with the first documentary of her life, Susan Boyle: I Dreamed A Dream, produced in 2009 by Talkback Thames, fans were invited via the official www.susanboylemusic.com site (picked up and promoted by volunteer sites) to send short videos of themselves saying “Hello, Susan!” with backdrops representing their locations. Several clips from around the world were chosen for the documentary. As a lead-up to Miss Boyle’s second album, The Gift, she held a worldwide “Susan’s Search” competition, inviting any amateur singer to upload a brief selfie singing “Silent Night.” The winner, Amber Stassi, a thirty-three-year-old paramedic from Brewerton, New York, sang “Do You Hear What I Hear?” with Miss Boyle on the album and at the 2010 outdoor Today show appearance in New York City.

In the 2013 and 2014 concert tours in Scotland and the United Kingdom, Miss Boyle and her team selected local choirs to serve as back-up choruses in every city, receiving standard financial compensation. Already individual choir members in the United States are tweeting: “Aaliyah Buchanan ‏@Itsuko_Sora I’m to pumped, i get to sing for Susan Boyle!!!!” and “Drew Mikuska ‏@DrewMikuska Hahahahaha I’m singing backup for Susan Boyle.”

Already in the twenty cities spanning the southern United States, supporter-fans from as far away as Australia and Scotland are buying tickets. They are organizing pre-concert dinner-camaraderie gatherings for supporter-fans, some of whom they have never met in person but know through their written posts on fansites. Restaurants, hotels, theaters, airlines, public transportation providers, cab drivers, and many small businesses will benefit. Susan Boyle, her team, and numerous music-related vendors will profit.

Yet in Susan Boyle’s “gift economy,” which she neither forecasted nor manipulated, money can facilitate but cannot possibly buy the greatest benefits to the community in which she finds herself to be the generator and principal member. In this higher economy, she is both blessed herself and a blessing to countless others.

As recently reported on her official website, Susan says about her upcoming United States concert tour: “This is a brilliant moment for me. The past five years have been incredible, and it just keeps getting better. I have spoken so often about wanting to tour America and be able to visit different cities for the first time—I’m so excited. This really will be fantastic, and I can’t wait for October. The US embraced and supported me from the beginning, and it really feels like a second home. So I can’t wait to get on the road and perform there.”

Source:Small Business Exchange Northeast