I want to provide an update to the statement I issued last Friday, regarding my time as the Official Anthem Singer of the Arizona Coyotes coming to an end.



‪This past Monday evening I received a phone call from Coyotes President and CEO Ahron Cohen, and we had a very productive, positive, and downright pleasant conversation.‬



After receiving many messages from Coyotes fans voicing their opinions via Twitter weekend regarding the team’s decision to end the Official Anthem Singer tradition, he read the statement that I posted. He did not think that I had portrayed the team in a negative light, nor that I had expressed animosity towards the organization, but he could tell that I had some strong emotions about the situation. So he felt it was important that he personally reach out to and provide additional clarity around the decision, and to discuss some ideas he had about how the partnership the Coyotes and I have built with each other over the past 23 year, could continue in a very positive way.



The first thing he did was sincerely apologize for how the decision was communicated to me. I explained to him that I felt the communication was done very professionally, and I that appreciated the candor and care with which it was delivered.



Ahron also reiterated the Coyotes appreciation for my commitment to the organization, our fans, and the community-at-large for the past 23 years, and how much the team and himself personally, enjoy my interpretation of the US and Canadian anthems.



The team’s decision makes logical sense, as most teams that participate in the NHL’s longstanding “Official Anthem Singer” tradition, utilize their singers for almost every home game, while over the past few years I have only been singing for between 25-40% of Coyotes home games.



Ahron clarified the intent of the Coyotes’ philosophy going forward with regard to the National Anthems, which will focus on honoring the Anthem by showcasing the diversity of musical talent in Arizona, an idea with which I wholeheartedly agree. Arizona has some amazing musicians and singers who deserve an opportunity to share their unique talents with our fans.



And in that spirit of fostering music education within our diverse community, Ahron informed me that Coyotes Charities would be creating a $2,500 yearly charitable endowment in my name, to be awarded each year to a different non-profit music education organization in Arizona that teaches, mentors, and provides musical experiences and opportunities for underserved youth.



It’s hard for me to put into words how stunned and grateful I am to Ahron and the Coyotes for doing this. I was blessed to have music teachers and mentors in my life that impacted me in so many inspirational ways, and it’s humbling to think that an endowment in my name will positively impact the lives of potential young musicians and vocalists that may otherwise never receive the enriching experience of musical education.



The other pertinent topic we discussed was my role with the organization going-forward. I had already committed to the team’s invitation to participate as a judge for the team’s Opening Night Anthem Singer contest next week, and to performing the anthems on occasion for Coyotes games in the future. Ahron made two great suggestions in this area that I agreed to immediately: First, reserving Fan Appreciation Night anthem at the end of each season for me to perform; and second, the team modifying my former title of “Official Anthem Singer” to an honorific title instead, to acknowledge the respect the organization has for my years of service. We tossed around a couple of potential titles, but the one we both landed on was “Anthem Singer Emeritus”, a title that is both apt, and kind of fun.



I look forward to many years of fulfilling my role as the “Anthem Singer Emeritus” of the Arizona Coyotes, and I am grateful to Ahron Cohen for taking the time to reach out personally, and for making me truly feel what I’ve always known: I have been, and always will be, part of the Coyotes organization and OUR PACK!

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