Lance's Journal: NBA Anthem Dream Comes True, July 18, 2008
Lincoln, Neb.
Posted: 4:12 PM Jul 17, 2008
Last Updated: 12:18 PM Jul 18, 2008
Reporter: Lance Schwartz
Many children grow up wanting to play in the National Basketball League, but for Lyndon Carriger, his NBA dream was a bit out of the ordinary.
Lyndon Carriger was born in Lincoln and raised in Omaha...And he has been singing for as long as he can remember...
The 26-year-old spent four years working at a television news station before he decided to go back to his roots and focus his career on music. He's now the minister of music for two churches -- one in Lincoln and one in Omaha.
When Lyndon Carriger sings about dreaming it's coming straight from the heart, and experience. That's where his wife/manager/promoter Tina Carriger comes in.
Lyndon had always drempt of singing at a national basketball game. So his wife sent demo's to almost all of the NBA teams a year ago. Last November, the call came in.
"The Lakers called, and I think I just about had a heart attack," he said.
On Dec. 2, the dream came true in Los Angeles.
"It was packed, it was sold out then to have Kobe there and to know that this team went to the NBA finals that was great," he said.
"Lyndon's voice sounded amazing. I think I was more nervous than he was cause I'm thinking, 'he's never sang in front of thousands upon thousands of people,'" Tina said.
"I would've never thought me as a little kid coming from Lincoln, Neb., that I'd get to sing on that platform of singing at the Lakers. It made me proud to represent Nebraska," he said.
And he's also proud that he's been able to overcome a rough childhood.
"I was put into foster care basically since I was five days old. Both of my parents had severe mental problems, both of them were diagnosed with schizophrenia," he explained.
Lyndon wasn't adopted until he was 10, but he was fortunate enough to stay in the same home all of his childhood.
"Given my past experiences, I want to be able to encourage people that they can overcome too as long as they have God in their life," he said.
With his hoops dream already accomplished, Lyndon has now set his sights on future performances. At the top of his wish list are the Super Bowl, the Grammys and, most importantly, a Husker football game.
To watch the actual video go to
www.kolnkgin.com/lancesjournal
Then click on NBA Anthem Dreams Come True, July 18.
Once there you will see a link for the video. It takes a minute to load but it's worth the wait :o)