Angel Success
After my mission, I attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, now BYU-I. I also worked part-time as a DJ for nearby KIGO in St. Anthony. I played the short version of "Angel" on the air a few times, and from responses on the request line, I quickly became convinced that "Angel" was more than just a novel missionary song. So I had 1,000 45-RPM vinyl records of "Angel" manufactured with the short version on one side, and the full version on the other. I then distributed copies of the record to radio stations and record stores from Rexburg to Provo, Utah.
In April 1969, "Angel" became the #1 song at KOVO-960 in Provo and at KBLW-1390 in Logan, Utah after they played the full version. You might remember it if you were alive at that time living in one of those areas. The records sold out, so I ordered another 1000 copies with the full version of "Angel" on one side and another song I wrote and recorded "Alone" on the other side. I recorded "Alone" with one voice and two tracks of a borrowed acoustic guitar in February 1968 in my clothes closet in Bozeman, Montana, while finishing my mission there.
I don't think "Angel" is appropriate to play on Sounds of Sunday. It's kind of hokey sounding, definitely an amateur recording from the 60's, but if you would like to listen anyway, links can be found below. You might also enjoy listening to "Angel" while looking at my missionary pictures on this video produced by our daughter Deserie. The video begins with an edited version of "Called to Serve" by Joel McCausland of Afterglow, followed by "Angel" at 1:38 into the video. My voice was a bit higher back in those days at the age of 22.
A Modern Angel Fan
53 years later, my 16-years old granddaughter Shannon Jensen played "Angel" for her friend, 15-year-old Jane Rosler, and Jane became our latest fan! Jane received a new portable phonograph from her mother, and I gave her a new copy of "Angel" as the original 45 RPM record. I then lip-synced the song for Jane in a serenade as it was playing on her phonograph. It was a precious moment for me.
Mission Memories
Below are some other favorite pictures from my mission, a smiling dog, my cousin Sister Joyce Coulson, and Janet Thurston.
Sister Reed was our organist in the Bismarck branch where her husband was the branch president. This is Fritz, her little Pomeranian-mix of about 15 pounds. He was friendly, but shy, and didn't bark much. When we came to visit, he would hide behind the living room chair, and then stick his head out once in a while with his cute smile. And he was actually smiling, not growling - no sign of aggression. I think he was trying to imitate Sister Reed's beautiful smile - as if to say "Elders, it's so nice to see you!" What a great picture! I crack up every time I look at it!
Sister Joyce Coulson (white blouse), my cousin, serving as a missionary in the West Central States Mission, my mission, at the same time as me. She is standing with Janet Thurston (blue dress) whom I baptized and confirmed while serving as a missionary in Columbia Falls, Montana on August 28, 1966. This was taken in 1967 while Sister Coulson was serving in Kalispell, Montana. Sister Coulson was teaching Janet's sister, Marge Thurston, and their mother Francis Thurston. Both Marge and Francis were baptized and confirmed at that time under Sister Coulson's direction.
