| Debuting in January 2009, the songs from this
upbeat lively concert come from Jonathan’s American Heroes #3 CD.
Carefully researched, written and recorded over a three year
period, this concert is Jonathan Sprout at his best. The concert
includes “Good For Me,” a rousing tribute to teachers who are
heroes. |
 WILMA RUDOLPH
(1940-1994) overcame severe physical handicaps to become one of
America’s greatest athletes. As a young girl living in poverty,
she was often sick. At the age of six, she was fitted with a metal
leg brace and told she might never walk again. Through
determination, dedication and great courage, Wilma Rudolph turned
her life around to become the “fastest woman in the world” as well
as the first American woman to win three gold medals in one
Olympics. In her soft-spoken, calm and gracious manner, she taught
us that we must not allow our circumstances to hinder our success.“Never
underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human
spirit. The potential for greatness lives within each of us.”
Wilma Rudolph |
 JOHN MUIR
(1838-1914), the most influential conservationist and naturalist
America has ever known, is recognized as “the father of our
national parks.” An ingenious inventor who was blinded by an
injury, he vowed that if his sight were restored he would devote
himself to the study of the inventions of nature. Gradually, his
vision returned, and he courageously took a stand against the
destruction of America’s great western forests. With his poetic
writing, he taught us that wild places are precious and fragile
spiritual resources that must be preserved. A compassionate
dreamer, he forever changed the way we see our mountains and
forests.
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are
beginning to find out that going to the mountain is going home;
that wildness is necessity; that mountain parks and reservations
are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating
rivers, but as fountains of life.”
John Muir |
 ELIZABETH BLACKWELL
(1821-1910) overcame great opposition to become the first woman
doctor in America. After receiving 28 rejections from medical
schools, she was accepted by Geneva Medical College, but only
because it was believed her application was a joke. In spite of
the prejudice she experienced, she graduated first in her class.
Later Miss Blackwell fought an uphill battle to open the first
hospital staffed by women physicians and the first medical college
to train women doctors. It was her dedication to creating a
medical community for women, children and the poor that ultimately
distinguished her as a true medical pioneer.“If society will
not admit of woman's free development, then society must be
remodeled.”
Elizabeth Blackwell |
 THOMAS JEFFERSON
(1743-1826) wrote the most influential document in American
history -- the Declaration of Independence. As president, he more
than doubled the size of the United States and sent explorers
Lewis and Clark to the new Louisiana Purchase. He was a dreamer
with a passion for books and knowledge, concerned above all with
ideas. A farmer, scientist and philosopher, he found the words to
express the highest of human aspirations, becoming the leading
spokesman in the revolution of ideas that changed America.
Jefferson changed the world with what he wrote.“We hold these
truths to be sacred and undeniable; that all men are created equal
and independent, that from that equal creation they derive rights
inherent and inalienable, among which are the preservation of
life, and liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Thomas Jefferson |
 MILTON HERSHEY
(1857-1945) was a philanthropist and visionary who found the
courage to make his greatest dreams come true. He was committed to
the highest standards of honesty, fairness and integrity. Those
who worked with him were inspired by his imagination and drive,
his perseverance, and his concern for others. His generosity was
as sweet as the great American chocolate bar he created. In 1918,
Hershey gave his entire fortune to a school for orphans he
established with his wife, Catherine. A statue of him at the
Hershey School includes these words: “His deeds are his monument.
His life is our inspiration.”“Give them quality. That's the
best kind of advertising."
Milton Hershey |
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