Joshua Burton
Joshua Allan Burton was a young upcoming LDS musician from Cardston, Alberta, Canada. To say that Josh had a passion for music is an understatement. His memorable music touched the hearts of many people who had an opportunity to attend one of his performances.
He played to a full house for his first solo concert which took place at the Cardston’s Carriage House Theatre, performed on stage with world-class performer William Joseph, and his premiere album titled “Sketches” which was released on 6 November 2010 immediately gained public acclaim. His uncle, Wayne Burton, also a well-known musician, featured an original song by Josh from his “Sketches” album on Sound Cloud.com as a memorial to him. The song is called “An Evening Walk”. Not only did Josh love performing music, but he is also remembered as a composer (he began composing music at age 10), actor, and a compassionate humanitarian whose goal was to uplift others.
He also served a two-year voluntary mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Guatemala Cobán mission. He earned money to support his mission through the sales of his CD. On Saturday morning, 20 July 2013, in route to a service activity with a group of other missionaries and young adults, Josh was seriously injured when the pick-up truck that he was riding in overturned. His back was broken, he suffered a concussion, and his shoulder was also broken. He underwent surgery on Saturday evening to stabilize his spine and passed away from the injuries that he sustained at 11:15 p.m. on Monday evening, 22 July 2013, at the age of 23. At the time of his death, he had been serving for 21 months. Three other missionaries involved in the accident sustained only minor injuries.
The following was reported by Deseret News on Thursday, 1 August 2013:
Josh was the second oldest of nine children and was homeschooled through elementary, middle and high schools. Upon his return from missionary service, he planned on studying music and business.
Josh’s two maxims were “life is music” and “live life to the fullest,” and he worked hard to put these into practice. As a young teenager, Josh first discovered the magic of Fredric Chopin’s “Fantasie Impromptu” and began filling his life with classical mentors like Beethoven, Grieg, Ravel and Rachmaninov.
“If you listen, really listen,” Josh promised in his CD’s dedication, “I think you will hear something more than just notes on a piano, something deeper within the music. And my hope is that you will be better for having heard it.”
Follow Joshua Burton
Recent Posts
Wizdivo’s New Song “Corona” is a Clarion Call For All to Stay Healthy and Safe
John Donne, a sixteenth-century English scholar, poet, soldier, and secretary wrote, “No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. . . . any man's death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind.” Paul Kumah...
Father-Daughter Duet of “The Prayer” Brings Inspiration and Joy in the Midst of Despair
Mat and Savanna Shaw from Kaysville, Utah, are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often referred to as “the Mormon Church”). Amid the melancholy caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, the father daughter duo have set out to be a ray of hope and...
Remastering Brett Raymond’s Masterpiece “First Light: Scenes from the Restoration”
In accordance with the 200th anniversary of Joseph Smith’s First Vision, Brett Raymond has updated and remastered his 1997 breakthrough album, First Light: Scenes from the Restoration, with all new vocals. The album retells the story of Joseph Smith’s life and the...
Jordan Moyes Comes to the End of the Road on “American Idol”
Jordan Moyes, who wowed the American Idol judges with his rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire” during his audition, has come to the end of his journey on the reality TV show. During his audition, as he played, Katy Perry, one of the Idol judges sang along....
Jordan Moyes – From the Provo Utah Music Scene to the American Idol Stage
Jordan Moyes, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often referred to as “the Mormon Church”), is a 25-year-old singer/songwriter from Provo, Utah. In June 2018, his mom unexpectedly passed away due to a pulmonary embolism. She loved the reality...
Wizdivo’s New Song Brings HOPE to Those Who are Less Fortunate
Paul Kumah (his professional name is Wizdivo), a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often referred to as “the Mormon Church”), is a 25-year-old music artist from Kumasi, Ghana, Africa. He has written a new song called “Hope,” which will be...