Inside Mormon Music: Paul Cardall celebrates new life, new heart

Renowned recording artist/pianist Paul Cardall has a new heart. Some doctors were uncertain about Cardall's survival after undergoing a heart transplant in September 2009. Fighting the statistics and facing the future with faith, Cardall has made a miraculous recovery. Cardall's music and faith have been an incredible inspiration to me as I've followed his journey on his blog before and after his heart transplant this past year. His example of faith despite overwhelming challenges has touched my life and inspired me and hundreds of others to seek a deeper, more resilient faith.Having experienced first-hand how fragile life can be, Cardall encourages others to celebrate every moment and cherish each new day as a blessing from Heavenly Father. "I don't know why God let me stay, but because he did I intend to celebrate each new day as a gift and spend my time lifting others," Cardall said.He celebrates life by going snowmobiling with his daughter, Eden, spending time with his wife, Lynette, and sharing meaningful music.Cardall will make his first public appearance since his miraculous heart transplant in the Celebrate Life concert at Abravanel Hall on Feb. 15. It will be Cardall's first concert without a heart defect. Cardall recognizes the huge blessing his heart defect has had on his life; it has taught him things he "could have never learned without it." However, Cardall's new heart has brought him new blessings.Cardall's new heart supplies his veins with renewed energy, giving more life to his performances."I ... have energy and endurance I've never experienced," he said. "I feel blood flowing to my fingertips whereas before they were deprived of the full saturation and I had clubbed fingernails. I can talk without getting winded. I used to get hoarse doing shows."The magnitude of this miracle has given Cardall a deepened spirituality in his performance."A major piece of me has died, the very heart that gave me life, and has been replaced by another's heart, and I'm overcome with gratitude for a family's sacrifice," Cardall said. "Someone has a son, brother and father whose heart is now beating in my chest. It is a miracle. Because of the depth of this concept I know there will be greater power and spirituality in my music."Cardall has found hope in the music he creates and listens to, especially in the most challenging moments of his life. As doctors searched for a suitable heart, many of Cardall's friends in the music industry visited him and played music for hours."I wish every person could have the same support," he said. "I forgot I was ill."The day after I was transplanted, my friend and Christian artist Kenneth Cope came up to see me carrying his guitar. Although there were three people, this thoughtful soul prepared a 45-minute set list as though he was playing for 3,000. Some words Kenneth sang that run through my mind daily ... say, 'It's a power that I can't explain. As it flows and it grows and it shapes my faith. There've been hundreds of moments I can't deny. When I brushed against the fire or dwelt in the fire of God.'"Cardall's firm testimony has enabled him to keep his trust in God. Cardall said if he could share any of his songs with the entire world, it would be "Redeemer" from his "Sacred Piano" CD.His arrangement touches my soul each time I listen to it. There is a power in this song that lifts the soul — both in the music and in the message."It's a beautiful piano arrangement of 'I Know That My Redeemer Lives' accompanied by a huge string section," Cardall said. "Why this tune? Because no matter if I lived or died I can't deny what I've felt and know concerning Jesus, the Redeemer of the world. I have a new heart beating in me and I can still feel God's love — it's not some physical thing, it's a spiritual power. And I share that with everyone, not just the Mormon Times. I can't deny his love."Cardall has faced uncertain times when doctors weren't sure how much longer he might live. Those experiences have blessed him with a whole new perspective."I don't wish dying on anyone," he said. "But, if we could think about our own death for two to three minutes each day, I believe we would see the world differently. If we thought of what life would be like without that certain someone, how would we treat them? The argument you had with a friend or family member would become meaningless. The world in general would become more beautiful. Each day is a new gift from God." So often it is easy to see the things that are wrong in our lives. Cardall's example has taught me that we celebrate life because our Savior lives — his life is the very reason for our hope. Because he lives, we can celebrate life in both the worst of times and the very best.An hour before the concert begins, there will be a silent auction. All donated funds will provide a scholarship to someone like Cardall who has been affected by congenital heart disease. There will also be a scholarship for an angel family who has been nominated by their community. For concert information, visit www.paulcardall.com.